TTC after ectopic/after loss/older age etc ALL WELCOME 🙂

[YellowZ]

Hello,

Would anyone like to join a thread for TTC after ectopic/miscarriage, or when facing other challenges eg age, PCOS etc? DP and I have just decided to try again for no2, and I'm going to come off the pill. It would be nice to have some buddies to share experiences and support each other 🙂

About me:

Pregnancy 1: conceived first cycle age 35, healthy pregnancy, DS born summer 2021 (now age 2)

Pregnancy 2: conceived first cycle age 37, ectopic, surgery November 2022

My plan is to eat well, exercise, cut out alcohol, and generally look after myself.

Because I got pregnant quickly both times, I'm hoping our chances are still good...no idea how only having the one fallopian tube is going to affect things 😬

I think I'll do OPKs but not sure about temping yet.

Would love to hear from others!

@YellowZ @MrsB2019x sending all the positive vibes to the universe for positive scans for you both! Glad you don't have to wait too long... but equally know any length of wait is so tough! x

Hi @YellowZ , @lemonyfox , @Confusedddddddd ,
Thanks so much for your kind messages. It all got a bit much for me so went insular to listen to my body and the consultants and I decide what to do. We went a few more days off HCG levels. They were still low-ish (under the 1,500 threshold) but as they only ever kept increasing and I hit over 1,070 on the Friday before Christmas the consultant thought it was fair to go to surgery. On the Wednesday before I insisted on scan and saw some blood but he wasn't concerned. One point I found interesting is that not all patients rupture and often blood can drip out of the end of your tube into your abdomen due to the implantation damage. That rupture when ectopic is found early is quite rare. It's when your symptoms are changing that you have to be wary and go in for another quick check up as the internal bleeding could be increasing / 'adnexal mass' increasing in size.

It was absolute hell and of course devastating to lose a fallopian tube but the feeling was an EM would leave damage and increase risk of another EM in that tube which was a turn off of keeping it for me.

I'd also note that expectant manage is more prevalent as a treatment in Europe than the US, when found early, as they're finding many can resolve by themselves. But of course go straight to A&E if you have a change of symptoms or increase in pain. Which I did do one night.

I'm pasting below all my details for anyone else that finds them helpful in the future. I'm so grateful to all you kind ladies that responded to me in detail and checked in when I went radio-silent. You're all stars in the sky.

ßhCG / Serum Progesterone levels:

• Date: 07.12.2023, ßhCG: 67 mU/l, serum progesterone: 55.10 nmol/l
• (4 weeks, 3 days)
• Date: 11.12.2023, ßhCG: 331 mU/l, serum progesterone: 53.50 nmol/l
• Date: 12.12.2023
• night - spotting. Friday night it started coming on my pad more in addition to the wiping.
• Date: 15.12.2023, ßhCG: 402 mU/l, serum progesterone: 31.50 nmol/l
• confirmed ectopic, found in left fallopian - mass size - 8mm x 8mm x 8mm). That evening 1am to 5.30am @ A&E as pain felt more insistent and throbbing radiating down both legs and into hip. They said it was good I went in but confirmed it wasn’t rupture. I would note that if you’re rupturing you need to get to your closest A&E so they can monitor you. But not all A&E have gynae specialties so they’d then transfer you to appropriate hospital. Bleeding started coming on my pad more in addition to the wiping. I also passed a very thin, long blood clot in the hospital and some pain eased after that. ßhCG 516
• Date: 18.12.2023, ßhCG: 594 mU/l, serum progesterone: 29.50 nmol/l, repeat bloods on 20.12.23 (NA).
• (Mass sized- size 12 mm x 12 mm x 9 mm)
• Date: 20.12.2023, ßhCG: 866 mU/l, serum progesterone: 26.90 nmol/l
• (I insisted on scan as had some slightly different symptoms (ache in shoulder and some shooting jabs up belly) and they found 5-10ml of internal bleeding but the mass had shrunk a little to 9mm.)
• Date: 22.12.2023, ßhCG: 1071 mU/l, serum progesterone: 25.50 nmol/l.
• Admitted for surgery Friday 22nd. It was pushed as other emergency surgeries came in. I went in on Saturday late afternoon and was back on the ward by 8.15pm.

In surgery they said there was 50ml internal bleeding and the mass had grown to circa 2 cm and so I’d been admitted at the right time. It did start to throb more insistently again on the Saturday afternoon so I was glad I was taken in for surgery and in hospital already. I stayed another night and released the next day - Christmas Eve.

The surgery was absolutely fine, I breathed in the anaesthesia and next thing I'm waking up in the recovery room. Your throat is a little sore from the tube for a few days but nothing some tea can’t help. Belly is sensitive but I coped with just paracetomol/ibuprofen. I didn’t take the codeine as I know it constipates me. Constipation itself was very real after the surgery (still now) but I find eating the right things and keeping hydrated makes a big difference. So smoothies, salads, water and lots of fruit etc. I did have several occasions of sitting for 45 minutes to an hour on the toilet. Key was not to strain and let the body work it out. Nerve-wracking nonetheless!

I also found I had very, very intense period cramps about 30 hours after surgery as my uterus started shedding. The pains lasted for a few days. Still spotting now over a week later.

My wonderful ward nurse encouraged walking lightly to help recovering. I'm sure this helped me. But definitely worth taking it easy.

I hope this helps someone in the future like other ladies helped me. I'm happy to answer any questions.

This was our first month trying and first ever conception. So it's been a rollercoaster of a month. Knowing I now don't have a fallopian tube and have 2 fibroids and am 37 years old puts the spotlight on TTC but I hope to have positive outcomes like many of you women. Let's hope that fallopian tube swings around! I'm so happy to see so many BFPs and sending all the best wishes to you all on your journeys. How incredible women are and the men/partners that support us!

xxx

@Stategigi aw nice to hear from you. I'm glad you're on the other side of it now. I've been wondering how you're getting on.

Do you think you'll start ttc again straight away? You're very welcome to hang out with us here ☺️ but obviously, you don't have to if you'd rather put the whole episode behind you.

I was lucky enough to conceive second cycle this time round, despite only having 1 fallopian tube. I'm getting on for 39. Fingers crossed it won't take you long, whenever you're ready to try again.

Thanks for adding the details of your treatment etc - when I suspected an ectopic I spent a lot of time reading old threads. Hopefully it'll help someone else ☺️

Also, interesting that the bleeding comes out of the end of the fallopian tube...that makes sense. I had 500ml of blood in my abdomen and wondered if I had a split in the tube. The debrief I had was basic. Wish I'd asked more questions now!

@MrsB2019x and @YellowZ had to go into the office today (my office is in the sticks) so no chance of buying a test. I've started spotting though and continuing to cramp so I think I'm probably out unfortunately. It's not normal though as I don't usually spot - not since the ectopic and cyst removal. And I'm maaaasively bloated - which I don't usually get anywhere near this bad before AF.

I also don't understand why some months some tests turn positive after the time limit. It was only one this month, but a couple of months ago 3 tests by 2 brands turned positive after the time limit just before AF arrived.

This month has just hit me hard as it's our 6th cycle and it took 6 cycles for our daughter. I was told it would have been hard to conceive due to the cyst I had removed so thought it might be quicker this time. And our ectopic was also first time.
I know I have a lot going against me fertility wise: cyst, prolactinoma, short luteal phase, one tube, high bmi (though I am 10 kg lighter than last pregnancy), and my age (38). Think next month I'm going to focus on getting healthier, and also get things like my prolactin levels rechecked (I hadn't checked those since the before the ectopic and they took a while to come down after my first pregnancy even with medication. Im wondering if my hormones are a bit messed up. I've had night sweats most nights this cycle which I usually get a couple of nights before my period. Only times I've had them continuously before if when my prolactin has been high (because of the prolactinoma and after pregnancy)

@Stategigi well done for listening to your body.

@Stategigi What a journey you have been on. You seem to have a great outlook though and that will put you in good stead. I’m sure you’ll get your rainbow soon, when you are ready

@Confusedddddddd That’s so typical! Fingers crossed AF doesn’t arrive, keep us posted

@Bumblesbee84 Thank you so much 💕

@Stategigi gosh you have really been through the ringer, especially your first cycle and first conception too. How is your other half? I often think the impact of complications is so huge for them.

@Confusedddddddd you never know could still be a positive!! I’m choosing to be optimistic for everyone going forward

Hello @YellowZ thank you for inviting me to this thread. I’ve read all the stories and I’m so happy for you for your BFP!

This is my first pregnancy, 5+6 and fortunately it is ectopic, spotted in right tube on a scan on NYD. Baseline HCG was 1900, progesterone 79, and 48 hours later (today) they’ve called to say it’s now 2700. I’m going in tomorrow and think I want to opt for the surgery to remove tube rather than the unknown with the methotrexate and then potential risk of tube rupture regardless. So it’s great to read stories of TTC success with one tube. Feeling a bit more pain tonight so hoping all is well until I can get it all sorted in hospital.

Anyway, it’s early days for me to join the “ttc after ectopic” club but I’m already thinking ahead and following along as I’d like to try as soon as/if we are lucky enough to be ready again.

Sending baby dust to you all!

Hey @snowitall just a quick one to say hi 👋🏼as I'm on the bus at the moment. Hang in there! x

Hope you're all getting on okay! I'm currently 3DPO and can feel the insanity slowly creeping in 😅. Going to try not to test until I'm at least 12DPO but not convinced. We managed to hit some good days this time round so I'm trying to be hopeful and optimistic that this is our month.

@snowitall my doctor told me recently that the ovary doesn't need the tube on the same side, the other tube can pick up the released egg from either side! That reassured me a bit, it may for you as well (I have both tubes but one may be blocked).

Can I join?

I’m 38 and TTC #1. I have lots of things going against me as well as my age 😓 I have PCOS and have only had semi regular periods for the last two years (was 1 or 2 a year until I was 35). I also have an underactive thyroid, a fibroid, a short luteal phase and a high BMI. Can’t help but feel that the odds are stacked against me! I have never managed to get pregnant. Ovulated on 1st Jan and DTD several times in the right window so trying to be optimistic…

Wishing you all the very best with your journeys xxx

@snowitall hey, hope today is goinbqsg OK.Good luck if you're having surgery. It's an awful moment when you have the scan and it's the worst news. Hope you have plenty of support.

Hi @bethhop85 good luck for your 2ww 🤞🏼I've heard of others taking vitamins etc (vit b?) to lenghthen their luteal phase. Or have I just made that up? ...must be so frustrating waiting ages between periods. Can your Dr help with that?

Hi @Bugdem123 I was aiming for 12dpo. Made it to 8 😂so if you get to 9 you've beaten me anyway.

Thanks @YellowZ for all your kind words and positive encouragement. We do want to TTC as soon as possible and will try next first cycle if my abdomen and stitches etc are feeling healed. I’ve always felt like I would have miscarriages as my mother had several but will keep you updated! And I agree, some of the information really trickled through. The onus is definitely on the patient to ask probing questions. But on the other thans I’m so grateful to the young GP who thought it might be overkill but decided to send me in for urgent scan. If it wasn’t for her I would have flown to the US over Christmas and who knows the outcome on a flight or ski slope. The nurses on the ward were incredible.
Ps I’m so excited for you positive developments - sending all the good vibes!

@Nic2908 so sweet to ask after partner. He’s 42 and a wonderful uncle to my nephew and desperate for his own. He was very disappointed as had tried not to get excited and then as the weeks progressed started thinking about it more. But his main focus was my health and us getting through it together. I love him even more for all he did making meals, cleaning up and rushing back and forth. Allowing me to effectively be on bed rest during EM. My family has been very good expressing their sadness at his loss, too. They take on a lot of the strain too, don’t they? And thanks for the sweet words throughout @MrsB2019x . The silver lining of all this has been being able to support other women who are now going through the same. What a lovely little community.

@Confusedddddddd yes listening to our bodies is best. No regrets when you tune in and make your decision. And I’m sure good things are coming for you.

Will try to keep my word count down!

@Stategigi good on your GP! Mine was all, oh no I'm sure it isn't ectopic. And you won't see anything on a scan at this point anyway. Well, it was and you could. Your partner sounds lovely ☺️

I reckon you'll conceive quickly again.

How are your stitches doing? My tummy button ones wouldn't dissolve, a nurse tugged them out 😳

Test this morning at 5wks exactly. Surely this one is in the right place...

@YellowZ that is a beautiful line for 5 weeks! When your scan did you say?

I finally got negative test, just over 5 weeks post MC. Relieved! First AF seems to be dragging on a little, now on CD8 and still got some spotting, as I only had 2 days between MC spotting stopping and AF starting it feels like it's been over a month of bleeding. Anyway, hoping ovulation isn't far away now!! Desperate to get started with TTC again.

@Stategigi yes, huge thank goodness to your GP for going with their gut. Although not a nice outcome to your pregnancy, lucky that it was discovered when it was. Wishing you a smooth recovery period.

@Bumblesbee84 Feels weird to say it’s good to see a negative test but hopefully now this is the start of your next chapter

@YellowZ Amazing line! Do you have any symptoms?

@YellowZ ooo that line looks very strong! Do your symptoms feel strong? Other than severe tiredness from the HCG with the ectopic I sensed it wasn’t in my uterus as no other symptoms.

Yes that GP was great. My regular, more senior GP didn’t think it would be ectopic when I went in a few days later about my UTI. Even though we knew it was a PUL (pregnancy of unknown location) at that point, she was more gung-ho and positive and said travel with insurance, it’s v unlikely to be an ectopic. So our hopes did go up then. Anyway, it can’t be easy being a GP.

One stitch fell out a few days after forgery. Belly button and right stitch are still there. Hoping the body pushes them out!!

@snowitall hope you’ve managed to get into surgery this morning and already on your road to recovery.

Congratulations ladies on your positive tests!!
I’m CD2 on my 6th cycle trying now. Frustrated and sad as I had hope that it would happen quickly.
has anyone else had really light periods since their ectopic? Like 1-2 day periods of mainly spotting? Starting to worry something is wrong with me ☹️

@Joonbug23 ah sorry to hear you're feeling down. Can't comment on the periods really as I went back on the pill for a while after my ectopic. My last period was very light but that might have been more because it was the first one off the pill? Worth asking your Dr?

@Bumblesbee84 it's next Friday. The epau is about a ten minute walk from work. I'm in that day can have an extended lunch break. I guess if it's bad news I might have to take the afternoon off though...

@Stategigi @MrsB2019x I think I might have implanted early, as I had that vvv faint line on a clearblue at 8dpo. Hence the dark lines already at 5wks? I'm glad I'm getting dark tests though because I don't have any symptoms yet, except for sore boobs. I think the sickness kicked in about 6wks with DS... I've been having some slight twinges on my right side (side with the tube) which I'm trying not to freak out about. I had some pain on one side with DS as well.

How are you feeling @MrsB2019x ?

@YellowZ Yeah early implantation would make sense as that line is super dark!
I feel… fine. Zero symptoms whatsoever. Not even sore boobs which is making me a bit anxious. I am very irritable today but I’ve been unwell and had an arthritis flare up so I think it’s down to that rather than pregnancy! Counting the days down to the scan 🤞

It was surprised @MrsB2019x as this one was Wednesday (v steamy bathroom! Also I hate those tiles haha they go all the way round the sink and there's a matching mirror, it's like whoever did the bathroom was taking tips from Changing Rooms...can't wait to move later this year). Maybe there's a tipping point for dye stealers that I've crossed into. Also it was quite concentrated wee. I think 5wks is still early for symptoms. Did you feel sick with your first baby? Some of the symptoms eg tiredness, appetite, sense of smell are quite open to interpretation/symptom spotting style overthinking too I reckon, so I wouldn't worry too much about others saying they're knackered and starving all the time etc.

@YellowZ Ha I wouldn’t have even noticed the tiles if you hadn’t pointed them out 😂 they’re not that bad! We have two rows of mirrored mosaic tiles in our kitchen that are absolutely hideous. They haven’t even been put on straight, or flat. It’s not our forever home otherwise we’d have redone the kitchen as soon as we moved in! Just awful.

My boobs are getting a liiiiiittle sore tonight so that’s something? I felt very hungover with DD for the first 10 weeks or so then the vomiting started. I definitely don’t want that one back!