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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

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Original poster

Need encouragement post ectopic

10 replies

Officerswife · 04/02/2011 20:36

Had a fairly traumatic week this week. Found out on tuesday that I had an ectopic pregnancy - had surgery and they removed my right fallopian tube. Am ok and recovering well - docs assured me that future conception shouldn't be affected as the other tube and all other bits healthy but I can't quite believe them - how can that possibly be the case when I'm a tube down?! I have a beautiful little boy and am so thankful for him but feeling quite low about the future as we really do want more children. Feel like I've let my husband down although he's being brilliant and assures me I haven't.

Anyone have any positive experiences post ectopic that might cheer me up? :(

OP posts:

youtalkingtome · 04/02/2011 20:44

So sorry for you - it's a horrible experience.

In May I had the same, but left tube. We've tried on and off since then and I have just had a suspected chemical pregnancy. Now I know that's not a hugely positive experience to share, but in a way it is for me.

The nurse told me that my remaining tube must have been working to get even that far - so I'm going to take her word on that. I had become fixated on it happening again but the reality is, it's highly unlikely to.

Something like 80% of women who have had an ectopic are pregnant again within a year. I might have got that slightly wrong but it was something very similar, ie excellent chance really.

One of the most important things for you imo is to take your recovery slowly - emotionally as well as physically. Don't be in a rush to go back to work etc. Don't be surprised if you have some odd reactions - you have been through something quite traumatic. It took me quite a while to feel 'normal' again, but it did come.

I posted on here about it at the time, and loads of people on here came on and told me about their healthy pregnancies following ep. It's much more common than I had realised.

Many, many hugs.

SlightlyTubbyHali · 04/02/2011 20:45

Oh I am so sorry. I posted on your other thread, but I was really hoping it would be ok for you.

I had my DD2 after 2 ectopics (only had surgery for the second, and both were in the same tube). The egg that made her came from the ovary on my dud side. Tubes can pick up eggs from either side -and one study I read during my post ectopic obsessive phase suggested this happens up to 30% of the time.

As your reproductive system is all quite close together it is utterly possible that this could happen to you too. And I was told that with one good tube (and no damaged tube) my chance of a normal pregnancy was as good as anybody's.

DD2 was conceived 4 months after my second ectopic.

Take care of yourself, and if you have any questions then shout.

youtalkingtome · 05/02/2011 10:30

How are you today officerswife?

Original poster

Officerswife · 05/02/2011 13:01

Am ok thank you. Been up and about a bit today and actually left the house!

Stomach is quite swollen I think and a bit sore but the wounds look good and neat so shouldn't scar too badly I don't think.

Trying to think positively - am only 29 so have some time ahead of me to have more babies - just feels like an obstacle at the moment but won't know until we try how difficult it will be I suppose!

Thank you for all your support and kind words - it really does help to know other people have come out the other side!xx

OP posts:

stinky · 05/02/2011 13:10

I had an ectopic aged 31 (am 46 now) and lost a tube. My son was concieved when I was 34 and my daughter when I was 39. Both normal pregnancies and natural conception. I did have a lap and dye to check the other tube was ok. HTH

Original poster

Officerswife · 05/02/2011 14:40

Thanks stinky that's encouraging. They checked the other tube was healthy and it is apparently. Had my son with no complications so am thinking maybe he came down my left tube!x

OP posts:

Marne · 05/02/2011 14:52

My cousin had an ectopic (we fell pg at the same time), she lost one tube, she now has a little boy who is now 5 .

youtalkingtome · 05/02/2011 15:33

Glad to hear you're up and about and the wounds look neat. Mine was only about 9 months ago and the scars are barely noticeable already.

I didn't have much bleeding after the op - like a normal af really. But others warned me their bleeding was quite painful, almost like a mc, so I stocked up on painkillers just in case.

Only being 29 and having already had a normal pregnancy are fantastic things, honestly!

Original poster

Officerswife · 05/02/2011 16:23

Yeah bleeding so far been very light with no cramps. Not sure if it will get heavier once preg hormones have dropped right down - they were quite high pre op I think.

OP posts:

youtalkingtome · 05/02/2011 17:28

Be prepared, but hopefully like me it won't be too noticeable.

Thinking of you - it's more than just an operation. There's so much to get your head round.

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