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Original poster

Help ! Can you have an ectopic pregnancy without any bleeding ?

103 replies

FoghornLeghorn · 31/12/2007 07:47

I am 9 weeks pregnant and have been suffering with sharp abdominal pain, low down on my right side. I have been having general niggles for a few weeks but this intense pain has been going on for about a week now, each day I have been having more and more pains - yesterday I spent the day in bed as they were more frequent.
If I get up without thinking I get a sharp pulling pain, I also get a pain if I cough or sneeze and am caught off guard.
I can't really describe the pain very well, it hurts..... I've been trying to make out it's not too bad to DH as there's nothing he can do but I've found myself in tears over the last 2-3 days. It's almost like a very sharp and quite quick (onlylasts a couple of seconds) pain, like someone poking a hot sharp needle into my tummy.

I'm due to be booking in with my midwife on Thursday, I can't get in before then as she is only at the surgery on a Thursday.

I haven't had any shoulder pain - well I have slightly but I think maybe I was imagining it to be worse than it was after reading the shoulder pain is a symptom.
I am very light headed, I feel faint getting up out of a chair, walking up stairs etc

OP posts:
DontCallMeHun · 31/12/2007 07:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
FoghornLeghorn · 31/12/2007 08:00

TBH it is concerning me - concerning me enough to keep it from my DH as I don't want to worry him. Equally though I don't want to waste people's time for it to turn out to just be nothing but normal early pregnancy pains.
This is my 3rd so you'd think i'd have a clue by now.
Think I will call surgery when they open at 8.30, my GP is shite though so wont hold out too much hope

OP posts:
belgo · 31/12/2007 08:10

Yes you can certainly have an ectopic pregnancy without bleeding. This happened to a friend of mine - all the bleeding was internal and she nearly dies of blood loss.

You should see someone today.

littleducks · 31/12/2007 08:17

You are hopefully fine BUT should be seen TODAY and a scan arranged at an early pregnancy clinic, as if there is a problem the more time available to deal with it the easier it is, my poor friend ignored pains as she didnt know she was pregnant and was rushed into a and e and had to be dealt with as an emergency which limits treatment options.

MaureenMLove · 31/12/2007 08:18

Having read lots and lots of ep stories on here, its clear that not one was the same. Some people get shoulder pain, some don't. Some get bleeding, some don't.

Please phone your doctor and if he can't refer you today, go to A&E. You're not wasting their time. Its your NHS, and they are there to help you. We're not taking about a possible bout of flu here.

Good luck.

curlywurlycremeegg · 31/12/2007 08:20

If your GP is shite then I would prob bypass him and go straight to a&e (and I very rarely suggest this!) A suspected ectopic needs to be reviewed straight away as rupture can be fatal (sorry I know it sounds brutal and it could be something else causing the pain but you will only know if you see someone who knows what they are looking for) your GP will only refer you to the hosp anyway as there is no way he can know it's an inter uterine or ectopic pregnancy without running bloods and scans. Also your midwife may have little experience in ectopics if she has never worked in gynea as a lot of hospitals keep these two departments apart. Get someone to take you to a&e now so you can be seen and hopefully have your mind put at rest.

Original poster
FoghornLeghorn · 31/12/2007 08:24

I did wonder this curlywurly - I thought the only way to get any answers would be to get scanned and have bloods taken and my GP can't do any of this.
Should I ring NHS direct and see if they suggest I go straight to A&E ?
I've only lived here since July and been to the hospital once with DD2 so don't know how it all works here

OP posts:
MioMao · 31/12/2007 08:25

Agree with curlywurly, I would go straight to A&E and they will arrange for an ultrasound. Your GP would probably only refer to the hospital anyway.

it could be just early pregnancy pains, but the fact that you have been crying with the pain and feeling lightheaded concerns me - I had a lot of dizzy spells with my ectopic.

Better to get yourself checked out sooner rather than later.

Good luck!

MioMao · 31/12/2007 08:27

Just turn up at the hospital, no need to ring NHS Direct first.

Original poster
FoghornLeghorn · 31/12/2007 08:33

I feel scared now
GP's can't see me until 12.05 so will just head striaght to the hospital

OP posts:
belgo · 31/12/2007 08:35

don't be scared - it could simply be bowel pain or something - but you need to know for certain.

Original poster
FoghornLeghorn · 31/12/2007 08:40

Just waiting for my mum to ring me and let me know if she can watch DD's. Will wake DH once I've heard from her

OP posts:
DontCallMeHun · 31/12/2007 08:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

minspugs · 31/12/2007 09:11

good luck, get yoursself down there as quick as poss x

Original poster
FoghornLeghorn · 31/12/2007 09:25

Still waiting to hear from mum. Talking myself out of going now !

OP posts:
belgo · 31/12/2007 09:28

Foghorn - you have to go. If the worst happens and it's an ectopic (I would be surprised if is) - then you have to catch it early.

PAin during pregnancy always needs to be checked out - it is a good enough reason to go to a&e.

DontCallMeHun · 31/12/2007 09:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BeeEm · 31/12/2007 09:32

Foghorn - DO NOT TALK YOURSELF OUT OF GOING TO A&E.
Anyone would rather check you over and send you away reassured that things are o.k. Your pain really needs to bee checked out.
good luck

Original poster
FoghornLeghorn · 31/12/2007 13:38

Am back !
Doctor told me to keep an eye on things and go back if they get worse. He hasn't ruled out ectopic but said he thinks I would be in considerable more pain - he also thinks a cyst on my ovary may be an option. As I will be having a routine scan in a couple of weeks anyway he said to wait it out but go back if it gets worse and i'll get scanned as an emergency.

OP posts:
MaureenMLove · 31/12/2007 13:59

Umm, I think I'd go to A&E now. Your doctor hasn't ruled out ectopic, but suggests you keep an eye on it! That wouldn't put my mind at rest. Sorry, but any pain in pg should be dealt with and for your doctor to say, it might be, but he's not sure, well that's just madness!

I'm sure you are perfectly fine, but to suggest you just wait to see if the pain gets any worse, is foolish imho. Is your doctor aware of what happens to make the pain of an ectopic worse?

PanicPressiePants · 31/12/2007 14:07

I only had niggling pain until my tube burst. TBH I think I'd go to A&E now, if it is an ectopic and you wait for even worse pain then you risk losing a tube. Sorry to be blunt but it's what happened to me.

HereComeTheGirls · 31/12/2007 14:12

Err..she did go!

NorthernLurker · 31/12/2007 14:13

Doctor sounds a bit 'limited' to me - how in the world can he say you would be in worse pain if it was ectopic? Has he had an ectopic? I don't think so!

Was this your GP or an A&E doctor?

CarGirl · 31/12/2007 14:17

please go to your A&E or EPU (if you have one)

PanicPressiePants · 31/12/2007 14:23

Sorry I thought she went to her GPs at 12.05?

Maybe I didn't read it right.

Anyway, I think I'd still get a second opinion.

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