Looking for hopeful stories after 2 ectopic pregnancies

[Lanterns]

Hi everyone, my first time posting on something like this, but I am after hopeful and positive stories after suffering 2 ectopic pregnancies. Sending huge waves of love to anyone who finds themselves in a similar position and I hope that if some responses are posted to this thread, that they might also help you find some comfort.

This is my story. I’m 33 and last year my husband and I started trying for our first baby in February before anyone knew of the pandemic that was to come. Luckily I fell pregnant straight away, which was a surprise but also scary as we had just moved to a bigger house taken a risk on upping our mortgage and then both lost our jobs due to the virus. We barely had time to get our heads around all the change when I knew things weren’t right and I was referred to the EPU. After much back and forth and multiple blood tests an ectopic pregnancy was confirmed in my left tube. I didn’t need to have any treatment and was able to undergo expectant management. At the time I didn’t know how to feel, our lives had changed so quickly on every level, but my overwhelming sensation was one of fear that it had happened, sadness for what could have been, but also hope that it wouldn’t happen again even though I knew there was more a of risk of a second ectopic.

After that we made the decision to stop trying for a while to give me a chance to recover but also for one of us to find work. I got a job at the the start of this year and my husband picked up a lot of freelance work and we made the decision to start trying again. Luckily I fell pregnant on my second cycle, almost a year to the day after our first ectopic, but then again almost on the same timescale I started bleeding and my GP sent me off to the hospital yesterday. I was scanned immediately which I was so grateful for but sadly a second ectopic was confirmed in my left tube and I’m back to the hospital tomorrow for another blood test and next steps in terms of any treatment.

I don’t know what to say other than I feel utterly devastated and also a bit naive. My brain and anxiety are getting the better of me and I feel so scared and physically panicked about the possibility of a life without children. I have the most incredible husband at my side and we are madly in love so I know I’m very lucky but also children with him is something I desperately want. One thing I do have is hope and a positive mental attitude but it’s really taking a battering at the moment, so please do share your stories of hope after ectopic pregnancies particularly if sadly like me you’ve had more than one, I would find it so helpful particularly at the moment. Thank you and stay positive and safe everyone x

I know this is a while ago now but still didn’t want to read and run as I’m in the same boat. Just hoping it’ll work out for us all.

Please don't lose hope!

I've had an ectopic pregnancy (wasn't strictly TTC) shortly after I got married aged 28. I had it treated with Methotrexate.

Fast forward 6 years and I have two children - no pregnancy complications apart from some early spotting and "caught" first cycle on both attempts.

So many women have also lost tubes from EP and have gone on to conceive naturally. I'm sure there are lots of threads on this site and also on the web to trawl through for plenty of success stories.

Everything crossed for you 💐

Thank you @Socksy for your positive story I’m clinging on to hope right now but it is fading fast. Sadly this is ectopic/PUL is number 2 for me and loss 4 in a year. MC Sept 21 with D&C, Ectopic with rupture and left tube loss Jan 22, Chemical April 22, now PUL/ectopic July 22. Had all the recurrent miscarriage investigations including HSG all fine except vitamin D. BETA HCG 2700 on Friday had been almost doubling, no sac anywhere but a mass by my right ovary but still no sac there either. Flummoxed doctors but we chose to try and treat without surgery, hopefully it works. Also seems I wouldn’t have lost a tube if I had gone to this hospital in January (I went to another sent by 111) they’ve suggested I report that hospital, due to being slow to act. I hope I can be like you and my remaining albeit not perfect tube will do it’s job just once so we could have a family 😔

I’m so sorry to hear of everything you’ve been through.

I’m glad you’re able to try and see out the latest one without surgery. I don’t think mine was in the tube either. I just remember it took 3 consultants to try and find it. Hopefully your doctors are being extremely helpful and you can move forward with everything and get your success 🤞

have you looked at Ectopic.org? It’s a fantastic website offering lots of support.

@Socksy thank you. I seem to be a walking bad luck magnet. I’m not sure where they are obviously there is the mass near my ovary but no sac anywhere in the mass or otherwise. This hospital are being amazing, my day 4 bloods have risen but hopefully will come down the right amount for day 7 (they aren’t concern at the moment). Thank you hopefully one day in the not too distant future we will have a family. I have and I have been in touch with them, they’ve been great. I’m currently searching for success stories after a similar story to mine. Thank you for your kindness.

I have found your post while scrolling for days/weeks for some comfort.
I had one ectopic in June 22 and lost my left tube. Six months later, I was told that my new pregnancy was not in the right place either. I am 9weeks and I am on day 17 post Methodrate. My bloods have gone down from 2800 to 523, so I am hoping this nightmare is almost over. After 5 scans they are unable to locate the pregnancy, so it has been diagnosed as a PUL. I know there is always people worse off and I should be grateful with what I have… I just really want a successful pregnancy with a partner I have waited so long for. I’m 37, so time isn’t in my side. I am considering going private for scans and fertility checks. Has anyone done this, and is it worth doing?

Hi @Sammyma

I am so sorry to hear of your losses. It is absolutely heartbreaking. I am currently undergoing testing with Dr Shehata as I have acupuncture and my practitioner has advised that I look at my immune system as there are immune conditions in my family and I also present immune condition symptoms. I’m also having a HSG done (I had one done in June but had another ectopic/PUL) so who knows what it will show. My acupuncturist explained it to me as my body trying to do too much as it is with a possible immune condition, throw pregnancy in there and it goes wild. I have read some research albeit only an odd paper here or there which supports her suggestion. Although it is an increased risk, for many conditions such as Crohn’s. We have had recurrent miscarriage investigations so we are seeing it as the only stone left unturned, so let’s check it. Have you spoken to a practitioner such as a fertility acupuncturist someone who is a bit independent and can give you advice. Have you seen The Worst Girl Gang group? An absolute life line for me & helped me find my acupuncturist. Although my NHS consultant is amazing (I love him to bits) but sadly they don’t have the time for lots of guidance or guidance is limited within the constraints of the NHS. Sorry for the epically long post! I’m so sorry for for losses, I’m hoping for a happy healthy 2023 and wishing baby dust for us all xxxx

Hello ladies, So sorry to hear all the above stories :(
I had an ectopic in August and was looking for success stories :(
Wishing everyone all the luck and healthy pregnancies for the future ❤️

Hi everyone, thank you so much for all of the kind responses to my post. I’m so sorry for everything you’re having to go through, I know all too well how lonely and isolating it can be. It’s nearly two years on from my initial post and I wanted to share where we are now, in the hope that it might offer some positivity. I’m pleased to say, our double rainbow baby is now 5 months old and asleep on my chest as we speak. She arrived in July 2022 and despite an incredibly traumatic birth, is doing well. She is an utter miracle, so they do happen. I ended up losing a tube with my second ectopic and was surprised to learn that it doesn’t have too great impact on overall fertility. Needless to say the pregnancy was fraught with anxiety but we are through the other side.

What lovely news! I have scrolled so many times through mumsnet and wondered, did it workout in the end. So thank you for sharing again your story. So many people go on to have successful pregnancies after one ectopic, even if they have lost a tube. It’s seems more difficult to find positive stories after two. I was alarmed when I read the statistics somewhere which mentioned a 25% chance after two ectopics. The difference with me is that I had my tube removed with my first… my second ectopic was firstly thought to be cornual but now it’s being called a PUL. Most recurring ectopics are due to damage from previous ectopics I am told?
I hope I can share a positive story in the future. It really is so so s**t xx

Hi @daffodilaster thank you for your reply. It really is comforting speaking with people who have been through similar experiences.
I am hoping that once the pregnancy has resolved I will be offered some tests. I just worry about how long I would be waiting. Can you go private for hgs scans etc?? I have heard of how acupuncture could help… is it something to do with lining to support implantation?
One strange part of my story is that where they thought the ectopic was this time (right cornual ) was actually seen on a private scan I had six months ago (that one ended being a live left tube ectopic). It’s scary when they can’t locate the pregnancy.

Oh @Lanterns congratulations and what a wonderful positive story. It really gives me some hope ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Thank you for sharing. Like you say so very isolating and lonely 😞 hoping for a better 2023 and wishing lots of baby dust to all xxxx

Hi @Sammyma my first HSG in June was private. I saw a consultant privately for some tests (cost about £500 for HSG) and I was seen the next cycle. The NHS were just doing recurrent miscarriage investigations & I wasn’t going to get a HSG on the NHS as my hospital for the first ectopic was utterly dyer pretty much left me to bleed internally for a week. This time the hospital were quick to act (different hospital & saved my tube). My consultant booked it in when I started with methotrexate in July/August and will have it in my next cycle. So not sure entirely as I was told to hang fire for the methotrexate anyway as I had 3 doses. Acupuncture apparently helps with blood flow which helps egg quality and reproductive function apparently. If nothing else she’s been brilliant to give us independent advice. Someone to talk to who sees me and my husband as whole people. I’m based in Yorkshire and can recommend Life & Lemons, I started seeing after my 3rd loss (1 miscarriage, 1 ruptured ectopic, 1 chemical, 1 un-ruptured ectopic/PUL never did agree if it was next to my ovary or somewhere completely different). Or if you South Rachel Sheriff and Hannah Pern are very popular amongst the TWIGGE group. Sending waves of love to you xxxx

Hi again @daffodilaster
You were bleeding for a week internally… awful. Thank goodness your new hospital is more on the ball. I’m from the midlands, but I will look at that group you sent me. I am again so sorry for your losses. It really is heart breaking and seems so unfair at times.
Thank you for sharing your experience and advice xxx

I just wanted to update this thread with some positivity! After two ectopic pregnancies and one round of IVF I have my little boy. Born October last year.
infertility is a bitch! I had some many dark moments and struggled for two years dreaming, scrolling and worrying if it would ever happen and how I would cope if it didn’t. I know I’m lucky for IVF to work for me. I am grateful everyday. So if you are googling success stories after multiple ectopic, here is one.

Huge congratulations 🥳. Amazing. After 6 losses, including 2 ectopics one I lost my tube, the other was treated with methotrexate, I had NK Cell treatment in Epsom and last summer welcomed a happy healthy little boy who is currently babbling away next to me. So although a long journey of darkness and desperation, we got there. Wishing anyone who needs it lots of love and rainbow dust.