Pregnant after ectopic pregnancy - help

[SWeal]

I had an ectopic just over a year ago after TTC for a year - it ruptured and I lost my left tube (very, very traumatic).
I’ve just found out i’m pregnant again, 4 weeks 2 days to be precise. Since finding out i’ve had on and off right side ache (the side of my remaining tube). It’s not pain and isn’t stopping me from doing anything but it’s just there. I’ve just got into bed and it’s there again and I am losing my mind with worry. I’ve got a placement scan on Saturday but I physically cannot wait that long 😫

I remember from my first ectopic, having left side ache/pain from around 5 weeks and it was very on and off - even when the severe cramping started it wasn’t constant. I had no bleeding, no shoulder pain.

I just need reassurance from anyone that’s had a baby post ectopic and tube removal and if they had one sided pain? I don’t know how normal this is and have convinced myself i’m having another ectopic. We’ve been trying for over 2 years no - i cannot go through loss again 😢

I was in the same boat as you 18 years ago. My first pregnancy ended in a ruptured ectopic and I had the tube removed. I had zero pain at all anywhere until it had ruptured.

I TTC for a year and fell pregnant again, went for an early scan and all was well. I had CONVINCED myself I was having another ectopic.

Here I am 5 babies later.

It's very highly unlikely to be another ectopic. Completely normal to be feeling tugs and stretching pains early days.

Wishing you all the best

Thank you so much for replying.

I’m just convinced this is exactly how I felt with my last ectopic, it’s a dull ache in the same place - doesn’t move. I’m not really having any other cramps or pains either. I’m just petrified, can’t sleep, can’t think straight. God knows how i’m going to get through this week.

There is no point even calling the emergency pregnancy assessment unit as you cant see anything this early on anyway. Stretching pains are a pregnancy symptom. Nothing I, or anyone else says can stop this worrying but we can definitely reassure you. I am confident that you are ok, all will be well. Sending positive thoughts your way.

@mumof5five Thank you so much xx

How are you feeling this morning?

I don’t have any experience with an ectopic pregnancy, but I did want to say that the aching you’re feeling could well be the corpus luteum where your egg left. It’s apparently very common and would be on the one side.

@mumof5five Honestly, I feel terrible. I just feel like it’s definitely ectopic and I know there’s absolutely no way of knowing until the weekend. I’ve got DS2 who’s 2 and off nursery ill - so trying to be normal but it’s so difficult.

@EmPeEf I know, i’ve seen lots of this online. I’ve had 2 previous pregnancies and have never had this before (until my ectopic a year ago) so it’s so hard to be hopeful it is just this 😢

hey @SWeal I don't want to give false reassurance but I can give you my reassuring story. I had a right sided ectopic (didn't lose my tube, which makes it more prone to further ectopic). I am currently pregnant (IVF-this doesn't quash the risks btw), and for the first...8 weeks maybe? I've had right sided pain, sometimes really quite strong. I had had an early placement scan thankfully so found out pretty quickly that the pain was related to either or both a bleeding right ovary and a para ovarian cyst, both right sided (where the IVF singular egg came from). I even had bleeding similar to ectopic pregnancy, but so far all is well and its most def uterine.

I also couldn't wait for my first scan and had repeat blood draws to confirm my hcg was rising appropriately. I found out it had almost tripled which helped ease my fears a lot. Any chance you could get bloods done? If not at EPAS then privately (but maybe EPAS?)

I had an ectopic with my first pregnancy (without tube removal) and have had two normal pregnancies since. With all of my pregnancies I felt one sided pain - with the normal pregnancies this was put down to the corpus luteum cyst (normal).

I understand the worry, anxiety and concern. You’re doing the right thing by monitoring your symptoms. I hope it goes well for you! Please update after your scan x

@Nosejug @vitalityvix Thank you both for replying - it really does help to read positive stories. I feel like the ache has turned into a pain - it’s just so specific, I can literally pinpoint it to one area and always the same. It does come and go through the day, but it’s definitely become more noticeable.
My EPU said they don’t do bloods for suspected ectopic as it’s not a realiable diagnostic. I’m going to try and figure out another way to have them done, maybe an a&e trip after EPU have closed.

I can’t explain - I just have a very bad feeling in my gut. I lost my first son at 3 days old and have been TTC #3 for over 2 years now. It’s been hell, I’m so very thankful for my DS2, not sure i’d still be here without him 😞 I’ll keep you updated xx

Many years ago now but I had an ectopic and didn't feel much pain until it ruptured whereupon I felt a lot! I didn't realise it was an ectopic initially or even that I was pregnant. They took out that ruptured tube and 1 ovary. Afterwards got pregnant very quickly and went on to have 5 more - 7 in total. `Every case different and not much point saying it all went well for me - but I really hope you continue with successful pregnancy.

I haven't had an ectopic, but I always get pain in my ovary after I conceive. It's like the egg release and conception/sperm annoy it, and on the scan they comment that the follicle is inflamed. It's a dull, sometimes a bit sharp ache on and off on one side. I know it's scary but unlikely to be ectopic.

Just to say op, that pin point pain, I literally pointed to it while I was still having the pains and said to my dp it’s exactly here. I think they said my corpus luteum was about 2cm on the scan.

I'm so sorry to read about your first son. There are lots of stories on here of women having lots of healthy pregnancies after their ectopic, I hope that’s your story too. We can all keep chatting and listening till your scan.

OP sorry you’re going through this. I know you won’t be truly reassured until you’ve had the scan but in the meantime I thought I’d give you another positive story.

I’ve had three pregnancies since my ectopic where my left tube was removed. I was absolutely convinced the first and second were also ectopic and pretty paranoid about the third as well. None were ectopics but all felt like they could be at one point or another during the first week or two. I’m still in the first trimester now, got given the all clear a few weeks back, and still panic a bit if I get a twinge in the right side.

You’ve done everything you can in getting the early scan booked in and now it’s just a case of managing until the weekend. I don’t have any tips because I’m the same and really struggle to keep it together during the wait.

Perhaps speak to The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust or something if you’re really struggling? They also might be more qualified to give practical or medical advice.

OP - there absolutely IS a point contacting EPU at this stage. They can take your bloods 48 hours apart to see if the HCG is rising irregularly - which is a known risk indicator for ectopic.

Unfortunately I have had two ectopic pregnancies back to back - I'm now doing IVF. I can't tell you whether these feelings can be normal in uterine pregnancies, but I do know this sinking feeling of worry and unfortunately my intuition was correct. That doesn't mean yours will be, but you shouldn't wait. You have a 1/10 risk of repeat ectopic after having one previously, I would urge you to contact EPU asap, and they'll work with you to rule this out or identify it.

Sending lots of support x

I agree that the OP should go to the EPU. I had a heterotopic pregnancy and it was discovered very, very early on. I hope everything goes well for you OP.

Thank you all for your replies - it is comforting to read positive stories, I know is doesn’t dictate what’s going to happen with me, but it does help during this waiting period where i’m driving myself mad googling 😖

@MocktailMe I’ve spoken with EPU 3 times, they’re adamant they won’t do bloods to check my HCG levels as that’s not a reliable diagnostic. Unless I go to a&e out of EPU hours I think that’s the only way i’ll get the initial bloods taken.
I have a placement scan booked for Saturday - was the first thing I done when I got the positive test.

My ectopic last year ruptured at exactly 6 weeks, I had no other warning signs unfortunately, only when the severe cramping and immense pain started.

I’ve just got to get through the next few days, someway, somehow.

Thanks again for all of your support, it’s nice to speak to people that know how this feels xx

Just to update you all - I had an early scan at EPU today and baby is where it should be! I couldn’t believe it, i’d convinced myself it was ectopic, so relieved. Although it’s going to take a while to set in that i’m pregnant (although early days I know) as it’s taken over 2 years!
I also ovulated from both ovaries which is apparently uncommon and I have a corpus luteum cyst as others have mentioned! Hence the pain!

Thank you all again for your support xx

I am absolutely thrilled for you! Congratulations. I remember being told the same after my ectopic and I cried with relief. Wishing you all the best with the rest of your pregnancy xxx

@vitalityvix Thank you so much 💖

Congratulations! Must be such a relief.

Oh hurrah! i have been waking up at 3:30 every morning (hormones) and this morning suddenly was like, wait wasn’t it @SWeal ’s scan today? Aw so glad you got good news :) now you can be one of the folk comforting the next person sitting in that horrible worry. Best best of luck with the coming weeks!

@Nosejug Ahh that’s so kind of you to remember!

Thank you🥰

Came to seek this out as I remembered you had had your scan yesterday. I could not be happing for you. All the best for a healthy pregnancy xx

@SWeal lovely to hear of your good news!
I also ovulated from both ovaries. One was ectopic, had to have emergency surgery because my tube had ruptured.
The other is now 30 with a 4 yo daughter.