TTC with one fallopian tube

[Mrshaitchxo]

Hi Ladies,

Wondering if anybody is in the same boat currently TTC with only one fallopian tube? It feels lonely enough struggling to conceive without the added bonus of only half of my reproductive organs in play 🫣😂

I unfortunately had to have my left tube removed a few years back following a blockage which I think was caused by a previous pelvic infection when I had sepsis. Not sure if my remaining tube is clear which just adds to my anxiety about it all!

We're now on our 5th cycle of trying and I can't help but feel sad and defeated every month, especially when AF arrives.

Hoping to find others that are in the same situation to offer support and just a place to chat about it all.

❤️

Not me but:

I have a friend who had ectopic. She subsequently went onto have an unfortunate stillbirth girl (nothing to do with ectopic). Then her son who's a toddler. And a few unwanted pregnancies... so hasn't impacted her fertility.

My neighbour shared she had an ectopic, and considers her daughter her little miracle. I took that to mean perhaps she's struggled to have more, but can't say for certain.

So I suppose it depends on individual circumstances.

I have read a lot of positive stories like those, which gives me hope! I think the negative part of my brain can't help but feel I'm going to be one of the unlucky ones..

Unfortunately I am now in this club as well and it seems my left ( tubeless side) is the dominant ovulation side...how are you getting on?

I lost an ovary and the tube on one side to a massive cyst in my 20s.

I've had multiple successful pregnancies since, between the ages of 32-40. Conceived quickly each time.

May I ask how old you are? If over 35, I'd be seeing your GP now for a fertility referral to get a hycosy/hsg done to check your other tube is indeed clear. If under 35, you have a bit longer TTC (normally 12mths TTC).

A friend lost a tube from an ectopic, years of IVF and eventually told they'd never conceive and to consider adoption. She fell pregnant naturally, then when the baby was 3mths old, she fell pregnant with twins! All well and teens now!

@Livingonhope hey! sorry to hear that. Can I ask how you know which side is your dominant side?

Unfortunately we haven't been lucky as of yet and I'm really starting to struggle with the mental side of it 😫 I'm on CD 28 currently & 10dpo but have had some spotting today so I think yet again I'm out for this month.

Are you currently trying? X

@Almostwelsh that's great to hear such positive outcome, it gives me hope! it currently feels like every other tubeless lady can conceive apart from me 😂

I'm 28, my surgeon agreed that I could seek help after 9 months of natural efforts which would be around now. I'm due my period at the end of the week however I've started spotting today so I assume it's coming early 🤦🏼‍♀️ so I'll be on the phone to the GP tomorrow to get the ball rolling.

Thank you for sharing that, It's nice to hear positive stories. It definitely gives me some hope!

When I had my tube (also left) removed after an ectopic pregnancy the Drs told me that it only reduces your fertility by, say, 10% rather than half.

Apparently the fallopian tubes can “reach” around and take eggs from the other ovary because they’re not fused together. So, some months, even if you have both the left tube will suck up an egg from the right ovary, or vice versa.

I was amazed by what I learnt about female reproduction during our difficult fertility journey. It’s not the passive system that what gets taught at school implies, but that’s a whole other conversation!

In short, try not to worry, it is still very much possible — all the best of luck!

I'm 28, my surgeon agreed that I could seek help after 9 months of natural efforts
I'd be tempted to tell the GP you'd be TTC 12mths. Yes, I realise this isn't true, but GP's have set timelines for referral. Under 35- 12mths, over 35- 6mths TTC. It 'might' be different with 1 tube, I'm not sure. I'm only going on my experience. I was 1 week off the 'correct' date and told to go home and relax! Long story short, we TTC 12yrs, had no know fertility issues, lost 3 and won't have children now. Push for referral asap. Best of luck x

@SagittariusUprising thank you!

I've heard this too, frustratingly I think I have a lot of scar tissue causing adhesions due to multiple surgeries and sepsis so I have a bad feeling that my remaining tube may also be blocked with scar tissue.

I really hate the unknown! My consultant was very vague with my follow up appointment at the time so it's all very unnerving. All I have is a letter which says that my left tube was removed and that my right ovary is slightly adhered to the right tube 🤔

I agree, it's crazy what you learn when going through fertility struggles. If nothing else, I know so much more about my body now than I did before!

@JC03745 yes I've been advised by a friend who has gone through IVF in my area to do the same due to waiting times etc!

I do wish I'd contacted them sooner than now but every month I get my hopes up and convince myself that 'this will be the month' and then just keep pushing that phone call back further..but I think it's finally time to face reality.

So sorry for your losses xx

Good luck OP. Fingers crossed. I managed it so it can definitely be done.

At 44, with one tube and one ovary. I wasn't actually trying at the time. I wasn't married either.

When my GP told me why I was feeling so tired, I genuinely didn't believe her. 😀

@Meadowfinch oh wow! that's amazing. It just shows doesn't it.. thank you!

Hey,
I know this post is a few months old now but I was just wondering if anyone is experiencing the same:

I had a ruptured eptopic pregnancy 27th September. Had my right tube removed. I’ve been trying to tack my ovulation ever since and I seem to ovulate (maybe a couple days late compared to normal) but I get a lot of pain from my right lower abdo (maybe my ovary) which sometimes goes to lower abdo and through to back. Rarely I get pain on my left side also. It seems to be quite often but more so coming upto ovulation and in the two week wait. I find this quite triggering.

does anyone else get this? If so why does it happen?

also I’m desperate to conceive again, how long after ectopic before I can get tested for fertility? (Was trying for over a year already but ectopic in September)

Hi, I had one ovary and fallopian tube removed 10 years ago. Have since been pregnant 3 times! My one remaining ovary has done the work of 2. Good luck!

A friend had a tube removed last year after an ectopic pregnancy. She conceived almost immedaitely. She now has a beautiful two month old so there's hope x

We've still had no luck 😞 now on my 16th cycle and really losing hope. I was referred to the fertility clinic in July but I'm still waiting for my appointment to come through.

Chase them/follow up on your appointment. Hope it all works out for you x

I’m sorry, I know how hopeless this feels. Have you and your partner had tests through gp? Bloods and ultrasound scan? Would you be a candidate for IVF?

i love seeing positive stories from others but I think I’m stuck in a dark whole where it feels its never going to happen for me.

@Shortiej I've had bloods done through my gp when they referred me which came back all normal as expected. I had a pelvic ultrasound a few months back as I was experiencing a lot of pain which turned out to be another cyst but nothing to worry about & no other comments were made.. I chased my referral up in September at which point they told me that they were still processing appointments from last December but that I was on list and they could see my referral.. i'm just really worried that my remaining tube is blocked and that's what's causing the issue as I know someone who lost an ovary, a fallopian tube and part of her uterus and still fell pregnant naturally quickly. On the other hand I worry that my husband may have something wrong too and that we could be doing something to help improve our chances.

I feel exactly the same, it feels impossible to me right now and it's all I can think about even more so coming up to Christmas & new year. Last New Year's Eve I was sad but had a lot of hope that by this time this year we'd have a baby or at least be pregnant but here I am, no closer and it's so so heartbreaking!