TTC after ectopic pregnancy

[Mumlili9]

Hello I'm hoping to chat with other ladies ttc after ectopic pregnancy with tubal removal. I recently had an ectopic pregnancy and lost my left tube. I don't know anyone who has been through this so I've no one to talk to about this. I would love this tread to become a kind of support group where we can support each other on the scary journey of ttc.

Could I join in the conversation! In a sad way, it’s nice to read that there are other in similar circumstances - makes me feel a bit more normal! Our story, we had an ectopic in Oct 2018, and lost my right tube. It was all a surprise as we were due to get married in Sept 19. So held off trying again which I found hard to fill the void. Been trying since Feb 20, but no such luck as yet! On the run up to AF date I get edgy and it plays on my mind all day everyday! I’ve loved reading some of the successes in this thread it gives me a touch of hope!

Sulky pants did make me smile @mumlilli9, but I'm sorry its been a mind scrambler. I agree with taking another test if your period wasn't normal, just to rule it out. Bbt isn't always accurate.
@coffeewithmilk I ended up taking all my stitches out as none dissolved and they were starting to tear my skin! Just sterilised some sharp scissors and tweezers and snipped by the knots. I would say contact your gp for a nurses appt but no idea if they are doing them now!

Is it possible you skipped an ovulation @ivybutterfly? If you bbt what do your temps say?

Its hard enough each month with regular cycles so sending lots of hugs to you ladies.

Welcome @scottishstardust, sorry to see that you have to join us but its a nice bunch of like minded women!

Welcome @ScottishStardust. Glad to have you join us. It is very hard but this is a great group. I lost my tube too. The good thing is that over 80% of women get pregnant again after an ectopic.

@Sammyclaire22

I think that is what happened. My boobs are killing me and I am cramping so I think I might be about to get my period now. 🤞

@Mumlili9 Sorry your head is a bit scrambled, as others have said maybe take another test?

Will be thinking of you tomorrow @coffeewithmilk definitely push to be seen, you deserve to have some answers now.

Due to OV on Wednesday, DH has decided to go out straight from work on Tuesday so worried we might miss the boat this month Hoping that DTD either side will be enough 🤞

I rang again this morning and it was the same person on the phone and basically just tried to say oh well I suppose you could come in for a blood test but we aren't going to give you an answer as to what's going on today, and also you are not pregnant, so the tests are not telling you you are pregnant. Since it's the second time you've phoned in 2 days then you can come in for bloods if you want.

Now I just feel like a huge inconvenience and feel like I'm being that annoying patient. I don't really know what else to do, and now feel even more emotional because she was rude on the phone when I'm just genuinely concerned x

I would get bloods done (ignore the rude woman she's not a doctor or if it was the gp request a different one!) and see what they say. If they are raised then it shows there is something going on and you can request further investigations. If they are negative then at least you have that as confirmed and can look at things like stress causing a missed period or something? X

Ignore my previous msg, your tests are saying you ARE pregnant or at least have high levels of hormones which a month on from surgery should at least warrent an explanation from your surgeon or gp.
Could you contact your surgeon? I rang mine a few weeks after my surgery as I was having odd pains just for reassurance x

Ignore the receptionist @coffeewithmilk and go for the appointment. I remember when I called my GP when I had my ectopic, the receptionist told me to wait until my 8 week midwife appointment as it’ll be nothing. I refused and got an appointment. You know your own body!

I've just done another test and look how dark it is, didn't even need to wait for the time, came up like this straight away.
I've discussed with my husband and we've decided to contact my gp and make an appointment for tomorrow and he can refer to EPU or do bloods. I just feel very uncomfortable going in today after how the midwife was on the phone 😞. It's terrible isn't it. I'm a nurse and would never speak to anyone that way

I was told to go away with my ectopic basically. I went in for more bloods and they thought it was just a basic miscarriage. I insisted on being scanned again. Cue emergency surgery and the surgeon telling me it was ‘very lucky’ they did not wait a moment longer....

I was the exact same.. surgeon basically told me I would have collapsed with internal bleeding if I hadn’t gone into surgery when I did!

I’m sure that this is not the case with you Coffee as you’ve already been diagnosed. Point is trust your gut!

Wow @coffeewithmilk that IS a dark test - you'd expect maybe a faint line by now but that's so strong. Show that to the rude woman on the phone and get her to tell you you're not PG! Definitely something going on in there that needs investigating ASAP. Don't take no for an answer. Good luck and keep us updated x

@coffeewithmilk you can have High hormones for ages. Lots of love and hugs. I hope you get it sorted. Xxx

I've just had a quick Google and found the ectopic pregnancy Trust. It says it can be up to 6 weeks post surgery for your period to return but that hcg levels should drop;

When can I expect a period after my ectopic and will it be painful?

Your periods can take a while to re-establish and they can re-start anything between two and ten weeks after treatment. Most women find that their period arrives sometime around week six or seven after surgery, and at some time in the four weeks after their hCG levels have fallen to 0 if treated with Methotrexate.

The body is a very clever thing and before you can have a period you have to ovulate. It is perfectly possible to ovulate within 14 days after surgical treatment and almost as soon with Methotrexate treatment, so it is important to be aware that it is possible to become pregnant without having a proper period first if you are not using some form of contraception.

The first period may be more painful or less so than usual, heavier or lighter, last for longer or shorter than usual – there really is no set pattern. You should be able to manage the discomfort with over-the-counter pain relief and should not be soaking a pad in less than an hour. If this is not the case, you should seek medical attention.
They have a phone number too so maybe give them a call? X

Woah that is a blazing positive. Can’t believe how rude that woman was on the phone! Definitely push for answers & trust your gut x

Ok I've just been at EPU. They did blood hcg (won't be back until tomorrow) and they also did a TV scan. Couldn't see anything obvious on the scan but they're almost certain it is a new pregnancy - as they said it would be impossible for the tests to be so positive this long after the surgery.
Have to go back on Thursday for the repeat blood hcg and then go from there.. if it is increasing then they'll do another scan, if it's decreasing then it's most likely not a viable pregnancy and then they will discuss further options..
How could I possibly be pregnant again.. we only DTD on the 10th July and I had a heavy bleed on July 19th.
Very confusing x

Oh wow! That’s a potential turn of events! Shame that you have to wait around for a few more days! Hopefully all works out xx

Wow, did you ever expect that kind of news? Glad you’re on the way to getting answers though x

I didn't expect it at all, but just makes me all that bit more anxious because I had what I considered a very normal period on the 19th, and they can't see anything on the internal scan today.
I suppose I will just have to wait and see what the bloods do and hope for the best xx

Gosh @coffeewithmilk what an emotional rollercoaster you are on! I feel exhausted just reading it all!!! One ectopic is bad enough but you've been through so much, you are so strong! That would truly be a miracle rainbow baby if it is a new pregnancy!
It's hard not to get your hopes up until the news is certain but hopefully you'll have the answers soon.
So glad you went to get seen and it's being investigated, you need to know what's going on either way. Fingers crossed it's the news we all want for you xx

I'm really glad epu are investigating @coffeewithmilk, and when you feel up to it I would write to your GPs and demand an apology for the way you were treated and suggest the member of staff you spoke to has some additional training.

It's possible to get pregnant again the month after- i was pregnant the month after my surgery with my dd and was only sure it was new as I'd had negative tests then ones that got stronger. I wasn't fully believed to begin with! But you are supposed to be more fertile after a loss.

As for the bleed it might still be things clearing out as your hormones settle, I had heavy fresh bleeds with her until the second trimester which I assumed was my cervix.
If you only dtd the 10th then it's still very early on so not surprising they might not be able to see anything. 5ish weeks is the very very earliest the might be able to see the blastocyst and often nothing until 6weeks.
Really hope it's a happy ending for you x

Thank you @Springandsummer123 and @Sammyclaire22
I really hope it is a happy ending but I won't get my hopes up until I know exactly what's going on and what the bloods are doing.
I will most definitely write about the member of staff - she shouldn't get away with speaking to people like that. I was scared to go in because I felt like such an inconvenience!
Will keep you all updated about the next steps.

Thank you for being so supportive, it really helps in what is such an otherwise lonely time xx 💜

Funnily enough when I went to my GP with cramping (due to ectopic) he didn't even examine my stomach which I thought was very odd. When I expressed my concerns about possible ectopic and asked if I should go to EPU he actually said 'they wouldn't be interested in you at this stage' and sent me away with laxatives and paracetamol. Then the next day I collapsed and had to get taken for surgery.
Luckily he was only a locum doctor and not my proper GP but we made a complaint - it seems this area women's health is something that a lot of people aren't trained/aware about.
When I told the EPU about my experience they were shocked and angry at how I'd been treated. I think most people are really caring and on the ball but there will always be a few who aren't - I think making a complaint is the only way these mistakes don't happen again (hopefully). The doctor I saw certainly needed some extra training. I hope he got it.

@coffeewithmilk wow! Well done for trusting yoir body and your instincts. You deserve nothing but happiness. I hope it works out. 🤞 xxx

@Springandsummer123 definitely will write a complaint about the lady. If it means someone in the future can get quicker help when they need it then I've got nothing to lose by reporting how unhelpful she was. She said to me 'your cramps are probably your period starting' - how would she know on the phone. It just baffles me how some people can be so abrupt after such an awful traumatic experience.

@Ivybutterfly thank you. I have my fingers crossed that everything will be ok, but I just have this horrible gut feeling. I'm waiting to hear my hcg levels. They said they will ring between 3-4 to discuss. It seems like the day has dragged - just need to sit tight for another few hours with fingers crossed xx