Post-ectopic positive stories

[LavenderHaze04]

Hi everyone,

I suppose I am just looking for some happy stories/support and a bit of a trauma dump.

I am just at the other end of a very traumatic ectopic pregnancy experience. First ever pregnancy, cycle 2 of TTC so we were elated it happened for us so quickly, only to start bleeding at about 4 weeks. Two very long trips to A&E bleeding and in pain, but refusal to scan me because I wasn't yet 6 weeks and was diagnosed with a threatened miscarriage. I'm not sure if it's because it was my first pregnancy that they thought I was being overly worried?

Fast forward to 2 days later, excruciating pain like I have never felt before on my left side, vomiting, feeling like I was going to pass out from pain, and my third trip to A&E finally got me a scan at 5+4 and found a sizeable ectopic in my left tube that had ruptured, and emergency surgery to remove the pregnancy and tube. It was traumatic, painful like I never would've imagined, and I felt just very dismissed and not believed.

While DH and I are looking forward to a break from TTC and to let my body fully recover, there is a little itch in my brain about whether we will be able to have kids in the future. So any positive post-ectopic pregnancy stories out there? Many thanks in advance.

Hi,

Sorry to hear about what you've been through. My tube didn't rupture but I did have it removed. I only waited one cycle but was desperate to try again. I used ovulation strips to help TTC again. I immediately got pregnant again, which ended in an early miscarriage (not sure if waiting a bit longer might have helped my body to heal more or if it was just one of those things). However, I then conceived again right off the back off that and now have a beautiful baby.

So, short answer, it made no difference to my ability to conceive at all!

Good luck to you.

@ByDreamyMintNewtthank you so much for sharing, and I am so sorry for your losses. How wonderful that things worked out and you have a lovely baby! I will try and stay positive 💕

No happy ending here yet, but I would like to share that I've had two ectopics, one rupture and absolutely understand how unbelievably traumatic and scary it is. Nothing prepares you for emergency surgery, there is no time to process anything and suddenly you're fighting for your life. It's terrifying and I've found so few people in the real world who understand the magnitude of EP. Seems like a lot of people simply think it's a failed implantation when it's actually incredibly dangerous.

One thing I would recommend is having a HSG or Hycosy to test your remaining tube to see if it's clear. This might give you some reassurances, and even if it's bad news and there's a blockage it's better to know and avoid that ever happening to you again.

I hope you're okay. X

Thank you @Dinnerout, I really appreciate your reply, and I'm so sorry you've been through that. I can't even imagine going through it twice. Thank you for the advice, how would I go about requesting those?

Also really feel the solidarity. I think only now looking back I am realising how dangerous it all was, and that the pain I had was not normal! I am happy the surgery went well but that pain will stay with me for a while I think. I am doing better now thank you, I have a wonderful DH and family and so the support system is there. I hope you are also doing better now after your losses ❤️

I only had surgery once thankfully - both ectopics were in the same, now removed, tube. But it's such a scary experience and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

I felt the physical pain was mostly over after 5 weeks, the emotional longer. I had a fertility consultant after the first ectopic and she referred me for the procedure. This started through my GP, your GP may be able to refer you for the HSG too.

I don’t have any issue conceiving or have any underlying conditions (that I know of) that might have contributed to my ectopic rupture though I’ve been told that scar tissue from my emergency c section a year before might have been a factor? Anyways, had an ectopic rupture and 12 months later DC2 arrived so hopefully that’s a positive sign for you. 💐

Ahh I see, yes I've read that the likelihood of one is increased after a previous ectopic 😔 I will definitely look into that at some point when we are ready, thank you x

So sorry that you went through that @historyrepeatz but how wonderful about DC2! Yes definitely feeling more optimistic about the future 😊

Hello LavenderHaze04 I'm so sorry for what you have been through & I hope that you are as alright as you can be, right now.

I had a similar story to yours, not believed, strange pain & symptoms, wouldn't scan me. Then a GP said 'It might be an ectopic' & I don't know what made him think that, I thought to myself 'No, it's not that'. But he was right.

Just be aware that you may have some negativity from people (if you tell people) I had one person in my immediate family who thought (& still thinks) that I had an abortion & didn't want to admit it, & that if I'd just 'left it alone' then it would have developed into a healthy baby.

I had pain on the side where they took the tube away, like an achy period type pain, during my period but also randomly, I'd often be walking around just gently rubbing that spot (but it wasn't unbearable or anything, don't worry! Just like a little niggle, I ended up thinking of it quite affectionately 'Oh there's my little sore spot. Still there!') & at some point that stopped.

Now to the happy part, my after ectopic baby is now 8

Not me personally but my friend had an ectopic in Sept/Oct 2023, had one of her tubes removed. She fell pregnant in January 2024 and had a healthy baby in October 2024. Baby is almost 7 months now

I’m sorry to read what you went through! I have no personal experience, but I did want to say that I recently found out your remaining tube will collect and egg from the ovary on the side you lost a tube from, so I am hoping you find it super easy to TTC and your next pregnancy is happy and healthy.
And also to say make sure you and your partner advocate for yourselves, because you deserve to be looked after after what you’ve been through for sure.

I'm sorry this is happening to you. At one point we honestly didn't think we'd have children. My background...

After 6yrs TTC (underlying condition and had a prior loss at 5 months 5yrs in), I had an ectopic that ruptured.

I was advised by a specialist at UCLH to do IVF due to increased chance of having another ectopic (wouldn't rule out, but would minimise).

I did go on to have another miscarriage, but after 9yrs my daughter arrived at 24 weeks (!) and my son arrived at term a few months ago.

It's so hard, but all I can say is take time to heal and take it easy. It's horrible.

So sorry to hear you went through that @HoldOnJustHoldOn, yes our stories are very similar! And I am especially sorry about some of the reactions you had from family, that is heartbreaking 😔 how interesting about the sore spot!

Aww that was so lovely to read about your DC, so there is definitely hope! 🤗

Ahhh how lovely, thank you for sharing @Lulu89x! I'm so sorry your friend went through that but I'm so happy her next pregnancy went well 💕

Yes I have read that too @EmPeEfand it was very reassuring! Our bodies are truly remarkable.

Thank you, I am starting to learn this. We know our bodies better than anyone and I think if we are fortunate enough to get pregnant again I will really advocate for the healthcare I need 😅

Oh wow @mummytrex, that is such a journey! I am so sorry for your losses but how wonderful to hear about your DC. Thank you for sharing and your kind words. We are not alone ❤️

I had an ectopic pregnancy and a tube removed many years ago. I went on to have four more healthy babies, so don't despair - good luck.

LavenderHaze04 Yes, there is definitely hope! I was also told in the hospital after my surgery, that the eggs will switch to the other side. Very clever!

Thank you @Indianajet, I'm so happy things worked out for you x

Hi LavenderHaze04 Feel free to ignore me but I wondered how you are doing now? I'm hoping that you are alright

15 years ago I had a ruptured ectopic emergency surgery, blood transfusion, nearly died. Lost a fallopian tube also they discovered a massive cyst on my ovary which they removed. I now have two wonderful children. DS conceived six weeks after ectopic (not recommended practice but a happy accident)

Thank you for checking in @HoldOnJustHoldOn! I am doing much better now thank you. Healed up well and up and running thanks to support from DH 😊 we are taking a bit of a break from TTC and enjoying just the two of us for now until we're ready again 😅 I hope you are well!

Wow @SuperGingerim so sorry that you went through that, it sounds terrifying 😔 but how wonderful that things are well and about your two DC! Wow that must have been a shock so soon after x

@LavenderHaze04 I think taking some pressure off yourself sounds good and just enjoy the summer - good luck and keep us posted.

That's brilliant, LavenderHaze04 I'm glad that you are alright.