Ectopic - expectant management- please help

[LoJack]

Hi all
I’ve been diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy and the Drs have recommended expectant management for the time being (although my levels seem quite high - over 700).
Just wondering if anyone has any experience in this? Not sure if the better option would be just to get the injection/have surgery sooner rather than later.
Any replies would be massively appreciated

@LoJack no experience of expectant management because I had to have surgery because mine had ruptured, had no signs of ectopic before this! But sending you some support, it must be so stressful to just wait and hope!

Sorry to hear this and hope you're okay.

I had the expectant management. I think 700 is actually quite low and they'd only look to do something if it's over 2000 (don't quote me on this)

I had blood tests on day 2 on 3 occasions then a week later then another week later just to make sure it had went down.

I think this is least invasive, doesn't cause any scarring and is best, if possible, as ultimately your body is sorting it out without intervention.

From my initial confirmation of an ectopic pregnancy, I dropped well into the 1000's every 2 days until the final day 2 where it went from over 800 to 52. It was quite surprising but I think id been having a miscarriage slowly for a while (was on the coil so completely unexpected, thought issue with periods and perhaps menopause).

Ultimately, the nurses when checking your bloods etc can decide to use other methods if need be.

Hope you're okay again.

I had expectant management for 2 ectopics but my levels were low - max 60s. One treated with methotrexate and one resolved naturally. Its such a long drawn-out process. I feel your pain.

Thanks for your replies! @Nightscroller1 thats really reassuring. I’ve been scouring the internet and it seemed like all the other people that expectant management worked for had numbers 200 or less so I was starting to lose any hope that it would work for me.

Hi,
I am in the same situation today though my levels are in the 600s. I’m going back in tomorrow for my 48hour bloods and praying that they have gone down. I had an ectopic last year (same tube) that was also managed conservatively with success. I’ve made the decision to have the tube removed if the levels are climbing though as I think my right tube is probably scarred and hampering viable pregnancies.
wishing you all the best with your ectopic. It feels scary but you will get through this ❤

@ByRedBeaker thanks so much for your reply and sorry to hear that you’re going through this for a second time! Do you mind me asking how long it took for your levels to drop down the first time around? I guess I’m wondering if surgery is the better option in the long run as I’d also be scared of this happening again

@LoJack last time mine only took 48 hours to decrease to levels they were happy with. But my levels were lower last time around, so I’m suspecting this time it might be over a week or so? I guess it’s hard to predict.

It feels a little different this time around for me because as it’s a second ectopic I was advised my tube is likely scarred (rather than me just being unlucky), so surgery almost feels like a longer term (possibly positive?!) decision for me. I hope all goes well for you