Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask for a second opinion? Ectopic Pregnancy

15 replies

Frankmanc · 07/01/2025 23:07

Hi all. I had a ceserean scar ectopic pregnancy January 2024 and have been trying to conceive since then. I had a very very faint positive on the 22nd December and hcg levels were 15, yesterday they were 4108 (doubling every 28 hours). I should be 5/6 weeks gestation but ultrasound today shown no signs of pregnancy in my uterus. The consultant mentioned she could possibly see a 20mm blob in my right fallopian tube but she wasn't sure and has marked this as pregnancy of unknown location.

My options were immediate exploratory surgery to locate and remove the pregnancy (and most likely the tube) or repeat HCG tomorrow and a follow up ultrasound within the next week with strict instructions to ring an ambulance with any signs of rupture.

I have had right sided pain on and off for a few days and some dizziness that only really started today but could honestly just be tiredness - I'm not sure if I'm 'imagining' it to be dizziness because I'm worried about rupture.

I really don't want to wait a week anxious about my tube rupturing, but then I also want to hang onto hope this is a healthy pregnancy that isn't visible on scan yet. The doctor did tell me they would expect to see atleast a gestational sack on ultrasound at HCG concentrations over 1500 and she would definitely have expected to visualise something at the level mine was (4000+). Everything I have read says HCG in ectopic pregnancy will usually rise but not as much as it would in a healthy pregnancy however mine has been more than doubling and seems contraindicitive - but perhaps I'm clutching at straws.

Would I be unreasonable to ask for a second opinion on the ultrasound? This was done at a local hospital, we do have a large teaching maternity hopsital local that could be better for this?

Thanks

OP posts:
RobertaFirmino · 07/01/2025 23:34

Please don't delay getting help. Clutching at straws isn't doing you any favours and will likely make the situation so much worse. I can't pretend to understand what you are going through, I never wanted DC but things sound like they could be really dangerous. Test tomorrow and call your unit for further guidance. Do ask for another scan if that is what you want but if the wait is too long, you might want to consider a private scan, if you can afford it. I wish you all the best.

tequilam0ckingbird · 07/01/2025 23:37

I had an ectopic pregnancy myself years ago.

Huge hugs, it's horrible TTC for that long only to have this happen.

In this case I'd listen to your body (dizziness, one sided pain) and listen to the experts who think this is a pregnancy of an unknown location.

You would expect to see something in the womb for sure, if it was there.

I had scans of viable babies at 5/6 weeks and both times the baby and heartbeat could be seen. Before 5/6 week stage you should be able to see a yolk sac. So the Dr is right, you should be able to see something.

I'd have the surgery if it were me, you don't want this rupturing.

So sorry you're going through this, I had fertility issues myself and I know how hard it is to take ages to get pregnant only to have it taken away.

Frankmanc · 08/01/2025 05:27

Thank you. I'm back there this morning for repeat bloods

OP posts:
LionRumpus · 08/01/2025 05:41

I've had an early scan at five weeks. I'm sorry to say that it was very clear and I was able to see something myself on the screen. So with that in mind, I would be concerned.

I hope things go as best for you as possible x

Calamitousness · 08/01/2025 06:16

At those levels of hcg a sac at least should be seen. I’d also have treatment for a non viable pregnancy and wouldn’t wait. Nothing wrong with getting another scan to reassure you.

CinnamonJellyBeans · 08/01/2025 07:41

15 --> 4000 over 16 days is not doubling. I think you should insist on another scan and if there is no sign of pregnancy in your uterus, insist on further action.

Sorry that you are going through this.

Frankmanc · 08/01/2025 09:32

I did a hcg calculator that says doubling time is 47 hours which seems right? I'm waiting to be seen now so will ask for another scan/intervention. Thanks

OP posts:
Frankmanc · 08/01/2025 23:58

Today was a rollercoaster. I was admitted for emergency surgery, signed consent for exploratory laparotomy and was told they would probably be removing the fallopian tube or the whole right ovary and tube. Whilst waiting to be wheeled down to theatre the surgeon decided to send for another scan with the hospitals leading consultant radiographer (she said she had a niggling feeling and wanted clarification) and within 30 seconds he found a intrauterine gestational sac with yolk sac, exactly where it was supposed to be (no embryo/heartbeat yet but he was happy with this and said he would expect to see it in the next week).

The 'blob' from yesterday's scan is very likely a bleeding ovarian cyst and nobody has any idea why yesterday's scan didn't show anything in my uterus. HCG is still raising nicely. So I am now home in bed with a scan booked in 2 weeks!

OP posts:
KenAdams · 09/01/2025 00:03

Ahh that's amazing news OP. HCG does usually seem to be the best indicator for an ectopic and I'm not a medical professional but from personal experience it does tend to slow dramatically rather than show your levels. Fingers crossed for your scan!

Mum4MrA · 09/01/2025 00:07

Great news. Good luck.

CinnamonJellyBeans · 09/01/2025 00:11

Wow! I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Good luck!

tequilam0ckingbird · 09/01/2025 00:20

wow, absolutely amazing news! I'm so delighted for you! fingers crossed, I bet the wait will feel loooong

Safxxx · 09/01/2025 00:23

Upwards and onwards 🙏 praying you have a healthy pregnancy and baby ❤️

Frankmanc · 09/01/2025 18:20

Thank you all 💜

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 10/01/2025 08:31

Wow. What a fantastic turnaround. Good luck with your pregnancy Flowers

DD is just about to start a radiography masters. I hope she will one day be able to give someone such good news like this.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread