Conceiving After Ectopic Tube Removal

[Soph1809]

Sadly I had to have my left tube removed due to ectopic. This last 10 days have been horrible going from thinking I’m having a normal pregnancy to thinking I was miscarrying to loosing a tube. I know I need to recover. Any success stories with one tube be good to hear. I fell pregnant so quickly with my daughter and this one I did too. I know I can’t expect to be as efficient but also any tips on recovery and getting it all healthy would be good. They said my other tube looked healthy so hoping that’s the case. I hope I can trust what I’ve been told. The paperwork also says as well as the left salpingectomy ‘removal of products of conception’ does that mean they cleared my uterus etc? Feeling sad and anxious right now x

I'm so sorry for your loss. I had a tube and ovary removed before I ever even thought about having children, but have gone on to have three children conceived naturally with no problems at all. The other side just picks up the slack.

As for recovery - be kind to yourself. Eat well, drink and make sure you mobilise when you can. Take care x

@Soph1809 I’m in the same situation, I had a ruptured ectopic 11 days ago and had emergency surgery to remove the pregnancy and also my left tube. The doctor said that it wouldn’t reduce my chances by half like everyone would think as the other fallopian tube can move to collect the egg from your left ovary. But it is so scary and daunting, I know exactly how you feel. We had been trying for 12 months when this happened so the thought of TTC again is filling me with fear.

My experience was so traumatic, it’s definitely going to take me a long time to recover mentally. Just have to take it day by day and be kind to yourself xx

Hi @bogoblin gosh to have gone through that before having children must have been so daunting. I would like to think having had one perfect little girl (sassy mind!) that something in there works or did work 😔x I guess I’m just worried that if something caused that tube to be defective has the other one been exposed to the same issue. How quickly did you fall if you don’t mind me asking? I am trying to be good drinking lots but also keeping mobile. I’m not good at sitting still whatsoever! Incredible how your body produced 3 children - amazing xxx

@SWeal im so so sorry. I was only trying for 2 months and I fell quickly with my daughter so I can’t imagine how much harder this has been for you now going through this. I’m sending all my love to you. It’s such a whirlwind, you feel guilty for being happy about falling pregnant and naive and then you also fear this happening again. I’m really popping our remaining tubes know the drill now. They may be short staffed but they can do it right! I actually ovulated this time with my right ovary and it ended up in the left tube so proves can happen! Apparently it happens in 30% of pregnancies it goes from one side to the other!

I'm sorry for what you've been through recently.

I have a post ectopic 'success' story. I had a couple of pregnancy losses: a missed miscarriage (which I suspect may have been an ectopic) and a ruptured ectopic resulting in the loss of my right tube.
8 months after the ectopic I found out I was pregnant. I had a straightforward pregnanacy and my son was born 8 months later. He's now a happy, heathy 11 year old.
I didn't try to have any more children for a variety of reasons, not least of which was the trauma from TTC for several years and the losses involved. The ruptured ectopic could have ended my life, so coming to terms with that and the reduced chance of conception was a big deal.
From the follow up appointment I believe the tube may have been damaged which was limiting my chance of successfully conceiving. Once it was removed that barrier had gone.

I hope that you will one day have your own happy story to tell. In the meantime, be kind to yourself and take time to heal both physically and mentally

Hi ladies, I am so Sorry for your losses. I hope you have lots of support at home, it's quite a shocking loss because you go from pregnant to surgery very quickly and it's a huge amount to process.
I had an ectopic pregnancy and lost a tube a few years ago.
I went on the pill because immediately after I was very scared to get pregnant again after that pregnancy. I wanted a last child but the fear of the loss and maybe even losing my last tube terrified me.
Anyway I decided to come off my pill around my birthday a couple of years ago and got pregnant with my little girl the first month.
I was also 36 so a good old geriatric pregnancy.
She has just turned one and is an absolute dream so I'm thrilled I tried again but I personally did need to wait before I tried again to grieve the loss of my very wanted ppregancy.
I wish you all the luck in the world and hope your healing and recovery are speedy.

@Soph1809 Thank you - sending you lots of love too 💕 I’ve had quite a difficult journey having children, I lost my first baby boy at 3 days old to an extremely rare brain condition - not picked up during pregnancy. I then fell pregnant very quickly with my now 19 month old DS - who I thank my lucky stars for every single day. I knew I wanted another baby so soon after I had him, I think I’ve always felt sad that my little boy should have a sibling here and doesn’t, so I just long to give him a sibling. It was a difficult 12 months TTC before my ectopic and we were absolutely over the moon. Just feels like it was ripped away from us so viciously. I almost died however, so whilst I am so sad that i’ve lost my tube - I am just grateful to still be here. Wondering when life will just go a little easy on me 😓

I will say - I am feeling optimistic about having another (maybe naively), but I do feel it will happen as I’ve done so much research and there are so many women that have successful pregnancies after tube removal. I have no other known issues so hoping it’ll just be another case of ‘it’ll happen when it happens’.

How have you found the physical recovery from surgery? My stitches are getting very irritated and the bruising is getting darker by the day so hoping it goes away pretty soon xx

Not me personally but I have two friends who both lost a tube (one friend had an ectopic pregnancy and one friend was due to an issue with their tube) and both went on to have successful pregnancies after.

The friend who had the ectopic went on to have two children.

So sorry for your loss and to all the ladies here🤍 I had an ectopic a few months ago with my first pregnancy resulting in my right tube being removed💔 its such a rollercoaster of emotions to go through aswell as recovering physically from the op. Rest as much as you can although that's easier said that done and be kind to yourself. Peppermint tea will help with the bloating from surgery. The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust is a great place for reassurance and support. There is a forum you can post questions to aswell. I am petrified of another ectopic but try to remember we have a 90% chance of a healthy pregnancy next time and the EPU will scan early. Wishing you all the best xx

I’m so sorry OP and also to all the other PPs who have experienced an ectopic. I had an ectopic and was very lucky that it was caught early at around 5-6 weeks, but because it was doing so well (bless the little thing) I opted to have tube removal instead of watchful waiting/the drug option. We were pretty much straight back into TTC and managed to conceive 3 months later and this time it was in the right place!

The experience definitely removed my innocence around pregnancy, I remember the pure excitement around the first pregnancy but the second one I was a lot more “knock on wood” and cautious about meeting each milestone in the early days.

One thing I did do is stop drinking caffeinated beverages as I had read that this impacts the cilia in the tubes and was worried that might have contributed to initial ectopic, obviously no proof of that but worked for me and I also really enjoyed caffeine free life and the positive impacts on sleep and anxiety. Had to start drinking caffeinated coffee again to get through pregnancy fatigue though.

I found that having the tube removed was a weight off the mind as it was good to know that hopefully better chance for egg to travel safely through the remaining tube.

Just wanted to share this article from a while ago which has a success story after this scenario!
https://graziadaily.co.uk/life/parenting/ectopic-pregnancy-not-alone/

Been where you were a long time ago now. Was pregnant again 5 months later, that resulted in DD1. DD2 was born 13 months after that. Firing on only one cylinder didn't seem to be an issue. I was so so worried it would be. I got early scans which weren't the norm back then to check all was as it should be and the embryo had made it to the uterus.

@Coolblur thank you for your response. I am sorry you’ve also been through this. However I am happy to hear you fell pregnant with one tube. I have asked if the pathology can help determine if the tube was damaged or defective but been told unlikely they can confirm. I guess I’m worried the other is not great but told during surgery they would check this one is healthy. Did you find it longer to conceive with one tube? I’m grateful that I have had my little girl. But also sad if it was my only and last chance x I appreciate you taking the time to respond to my post thank you x

@Threeladsandaweelassie it really is so much to process in such a short space of time. I hope one day I will conceive again. I am so glad you got your little girl. I’m 34 and does always make you worry more the older you get. Thanks for sharing and thank you for the support 💕

@SWeal gosh what a rollercoaster for you: sending my love for the loss of your little boy. What a strong person you are to continue. He would be proud to call you his mum ❤️xx
yeah I feel quite bruised and look a bit bruised and just bit tender/swollen. I haven’t had a proper follow up yet so assume everything else is healthy. I’m hoping because I fell fast before then my body can do that bit! Just got to have faith in my other tube hey! I’m sure you feel the same we have to have some hope! We can support one another through this. I wish no one had to go through this but to have others to talk to is important 💕

@pinkrose001 it’s a rubbish club to be a part of but to support one another is a huge help! Yes I mean although fertility is slightly affected it seems minimal compared to some other fertility issues. Let’s hope hey xx

@Marmiteontoastgirlie how lovely to hear you managed to conceive so quickly. Did you have any other tests done on the remaining tube? It seems a gamble to remove one but also agree if the one affected was damaged in process of ectopic I would say that increases the risk of repeat. Although I worry are they confident my other tube is okay :( how quickly did you get your period back? I think I’ve been told first bleed doesn’t count but after that once actual period back can start again? I am a sucker for caffeine stressful job and a hyper sassy 4 year old. Although I am happy to try things to help! Thanks for your message ❤️

@log51 really good article and positive thank you for sharing 💕

@CrotchetyQuaver thay sounds positive! Did they do any other checks on your remaining tube? I like to think the human body does manage to figure things out when short staffed lol xx
I just want one more shot at being a mum! X

So sorry for your loss. I had an ectopic and understand how sad and distressing it is. Give yourself time to heal. Mine was in my one good tube so I had ivf and it worked first time but my sister had two healthy pregnancies with one tube post ectopic.

@Iamthemoom im so glad IVF worked for you. I was told they would check the other tube during laparoscopy unsure how reliable this is! But all I have to do is hope I guess xx thanks for sharing some positive news

We started trying to conceive around Jan 24 and fell pregnant straight away, at 10wks I was rushed to surgery for an eptopic pregnancy and tube removal! They said my other tube was fine. I was so eager to try again straight away but gave myself a little while to recover physically. We have been trying since using ovulation apps to track when im most fertile. I cry my eyes out when my period comes each month but there is nothing we can do, just have to be patient and hope xx

@Soph1809 Thank you for such a lovely message ❤️ I feel as though I have literally experienced the worst, so I can definitely get through this - it’s just going to take some time. Yes exactly, we have to have hope ✨ I’m feeling so much better physically now, still bruised but getting around so much better. I’ve had 2 c sections and tend to recover well but this knocked me for 6 strangely!
Im so eager to try again, I know I should probably wait, but as the days roll on i’m more and more wanting to start trying. I have a follow up appointment in 3 weeks. I had to do a pregnancy test today to make sure it’s negative, so today has been difficult. Never thought i’d be doing a test and hoping it’s negative!!
Do you have a follow up appt booked in? xx

@Bec1992 I know when the time comes I’ll be the same. Think I have to wait for a proper period? To be honest I’ve been given very little information on recovery etc it sucks the lack of support. I fell quickly both times but I’m guessing it could take a little longer as we are bit short staffed in that department (have to laugh or I’ll cry lots!) sending my love xx

@SWeal you really have been through the worse so your made of tough stuff ❤️still we are only human and when it comes to this type of thing it’s hard to be tough. I’ve got to do my test on the 25th and they will call me that day. I know all you want to see is positive but on this occasion need a negative to move forward - so un natural for us 😞x
other than that I’ve been told very little.xx