TTC after ectopic

[dpr89]

Hi,
Has anyone that had an ectopic pregnancy started TTC again before having the first period?

Hi,

Sorry for what you have been through with the ectopic.

I had an ectopic which ended in April and at first I wanted to try again before having a period as just didn’t want to wait. However when it came to it, at the time I ovulated (I could tell because I get ovulation pains) I still had some hcg in my system and hadn’t been discharged from the EPU and was still being told not to have sex yet (they wanted me to wait until HCG had dropped below 5 before having sex again because of risk of rupture). So we sort of missed our chance. Instead we waited for one period and then tried again, which in the end I found really helpful because I had a clear last period date to work with (I knew I’d want to know exactly how many weeks I was supposed to be when going for early scans).

However, besides the dating benefit of having one period first I couldn’t see any reason to have to wait (I hadn’t had surgery I needed to recover from and I hadn’t had methotrexate). Other people probably disagree.

I realise you didn’t ask for peoples opinions so sorry if this is a useless reply!

Thanks for your reply. It was really helpful, and I'm sorry that you also had to go through this.

I had surgery for possible ectopic (mine was a pregnancy of unknown location) and ended up with right tube removed due to nearly rupture. This was only last week.

I've been discharged from everything and was advised to wait a couple of cycles just to be sure of the dates in case I get pregnant quickly. I'm just checking my hcg levels with urine tests at home (got a barely visible faint line today).

However, I track my ovulation and also have ovulation pain so I would guess it would be easy to calculate the weeks of a possible pregnancy?

I'm feeling fine and I'm ready to start TTC again. Having to wait it just feels that I'm wasting opportunities to try again, especially with only one tube.

I was just hoping other people could share their experiences 🙂

Hi @dpr89 sorry to hear you've been through this. It's shitty! I had my right tube removed in Sept 2020 after an unsuccessful methotrexate injection so I had to wait 3 months before trying again. However, just to reassure you a bit, my surgeon told me that with only one tube my chances of getting pregnant each month had dropped from 51% to 49%. And I got pregnant again really easily the second month of trying, and now I have a healthy 8m old boy.

With hindsight, the 3 months wait to try again was no bad thing as it gave me a bit of time to get my head around things better. Good luck to you xxx

PS if you search TTC after ectopic there are several threads which I found really helpful at the time of mine. Loads of lovely positive stories! I'm down as Kate105 on them.

Sorry you've been though that. It's horrible.

Mine was treated with Methotrexate so I had to wait 3 months before TTC, but I'm honestly really glad that was the case. I felt I'd coped fine with the ectopic & treatment, however a month or so later it hit me and I was really down. It was so beneficial to work through my emotions and make sure mentally (as well as physically) I was ready for a pregnancy again. Initially I just wanted a baby asap, but that would have been wrong for me.

If you are still testing positive, even faintly, it would probably be a good idea to wait as it means the HCG is not fully out of your system from your ectopic.

Did the doctors not advise you on when you could start trying again?

I have an 8 month old now. I really hope it works out for you too x

Thank you all for your replies. I really appreciate your thoughts about waiting a bit before starting TTC again.
This is all so overwhelming but I will track my ovulation and wait for my period and then start TTC.
I feel like I could I've been guided a bit better through all of this (I had surgery and no follow up is needed; only been advised to wait a couple of cycles before TTC just to be sure with dates, nothing else).
But your positive experiences gives me hope 🙂

Just wanted to check in with you ladies. I had a ruptured ectopic in July 2020, it was an unplanned pregnancy, so didn’t want to TTC afterwards, started 18months later (cycle 9 now 🥴).
just sending all my love to you all, it’s a really shitty group to be in!!

True! I could never imagined that I would go through this shit! I was afraid of taking ages to conceive or not being able at all. Never ectopic!

I hope it doesn't take much longer for you. I found the stress and anxiety of wanting to get pregnant very difficult. The cycle I couldn't care less (went on holiday and didn't track anything) that's when I got bfp.
Good luck 🙂

@dpr89 I had similar to you - purely surgical management so no medical need to wait. I was advised to wait for one normal period which I did, and started TTC the first month after that in March - fell pregnant in May and now have a baby girl. Given there is no medical need I think it's down to each individual person as to when you are physically and emotionally ready, best of luck!

@Soph0105 hey! Your story gives me hope I have an ectopic yesterday and tube removed did your surgeon really say it only reduces chances by 2%?? I heard more like 20%?

@Sunflower1235 I have been told by the two gynae consultants that did my surgery that your fertility doesn’t reduce following tube removal, the body is very clever. I am however CD1 of cycle 21 with no hint of a BFP 😞

@Mummyme87 uh I’m so sorry that rally sucks. I can’t take the disappointment of ttc which is why I’m really considering just fast tracking and trying ivf. I feel I may have a bit more control there

Hi
I suffered an ectopic 3 months ago, lost my right fallopian tube.
I want to ttc, but im so terrified of it happening again.
Im getting aches and pains on my other side now, and im thinking all sorts, is this normal?

Just updating here, had ectopic rupture and right tube removed in July 2020, started ttc October 2019, had a chemical in April 2023 and I’m pregnant now ♥️👶🏼♥️ only 4weeks but so happy if not filled with anxiety

Congratulations that's brilliant ❤️

Hi there, I had an ectopic in January and like you I lost my right tube in surgery.

We waited 3 full cycles as advised and are on our first month TTC (May). I'm in the 2WW now!

I wanted to try again right away but felt really sore and emotional after the surgery. I'm glad I waited 3 months to try again after healing.

@Sealover123 same with me!!! Also in the 2WW… have you had your other tube checked or not?

It was June last year when I lost my tube, currently in TWW and hoping AF doesn't show later this week. I've tested negative so far and feeling twinges on my left side where my tube is gone. Keeping fingers crossed xx

When they were doing my operation, they looked at my other tube and said it looked fine. Praying it doesn't happen to me again!!
When's your period due?

Ok great that’s re assuring! 7th June! You?? Just feel so anxious really trying to take my mind off it and eat well relax etc. did they tell you it would reduce your fertility by loads?

@Sunflower1235 losing a tube doesn’t affect your fertility in any significant margins at all. The remaining tube does all the work sucking up the little eggs no matter which side they come from.

Thanks for sharing @Mummyme87 thats really re assuring!

I'm due around now but last month my cycle was really long, so who knows! 🤷‍♀️
They said it could take longer for me to conceive, but that I still had a very good chance to conceive within 1-2 yrs.

I've heard some people conceiving with 1 tube right away, and others taking a year or 2. Trying not to stress about it.

When we got pregnant with ectopic, we only DTD once that month and I'm 38! So I think we have a good chance and just need to time it right.

Sounds like you're doing all the right things. I've heard you don't lose your fertility by half, your egg can still find its way to the other tube, or something like that lol.

When will you test? xx

@Sealover123 wow first time of trying! That’s amazing. Good to know there’s still a chance after removal…uh I really just don’t want to wait1/2 years. I know it’s out of my hands but the thought of waiting that long makes me so sad. I’m going to hold out until next Saturday I’m only 5DPO now. Are you going to test? Xx

@Sunflower1235 It really just depends on so many things; I feel like doctor estimates are just there to basically cover all bases. I've heard some people have no issues at all and conceived within a few months!

I feel like I have PMS symptoms so am going to wait until Sunday morning. Don't want to waste tests if I start soon anyway

@Sealover123 yea for sure! I’m just worried about my other tube honestly although at the surgery they said it looks fine. Try hold out till Sunday!! Crossing my fingers for you!