Scared senseless over the thought of an Ectopic pregnancy!

[PampersNotPampered]

Hiya, last Saturday I started a tiny bit of spotting but had cramps the evening before. The cramping stopped after three days and on the Monday I went to the EPU where my bloods were taken and I had a transvaginal scan. Nothing was really seen at the scan, just a tiny sac that they weren't sure was a sac or not.

Back today (10 days later), and the sac has indeed grown but no fetal pole or yoke sac seen. I'm just awaiting blood results and they're back but the nurses won't tell me what they are until it's been reviewed and looked at by a bloody doctor.

I was told by the doctor today after my scan that the sonographers cannot rule out an ectopic but they think it's still just 'too early' to see anything. I did miscarry just before this pregnancy so LMP dates are obviously out of whack, however, they should take into account that even if I got a positive test at 9DPO, I have to be at least 7 weeks now (8 by my calculations).

My bloods were going up last week but didn't double. My doctor is saying he thinks it could very well be an ectopic because they should be either going down by now if I'm miscarrying, or be in the 10,000s if this IS a viable pregnancy. I'm waiting in limbo for some answers.

I feel so, so guilty because not only do I feel a strong sense of grievance over this possible loss, but I also feel very angry that this possible ectopic could damage/hinder my future fertility in some way if intervention is required.

I know we should steer clear of Google, but I couldn't help but notice women saying how they never really bled, even after a fortnight, with their ectopics, it was just cranberry coloured spotting here and there every day.

I have no cramping, but of course that doesn't rule anything out. Does anyone have anything useful to keep in mind about ectopics? This is awful, having just not long had a miscarriage.

Thank you all so much, I really do appreciate anything anyone has to say

Not too much I can advise that you won't have already googled but ... I'm sorry you're going through this. This was me in Feb and it was horrible.

On the plus (?) side, if it is ectopic, they've caught it and it might not affect things going forward depending on how it's handled.

It might not be though - I'm sure some people will come forward with better advice soon.

Please be kind to yourself and take it as easy as possible...

Thank you DeepBreath, it means a lot

If it is an ectopic pregnancy, you are in the right place, and are already being cared for. That should minimise any damage.

Both my boys were concieved very easily post my ectopic pregnancy, with just one tube, as the other had to be removed. Whilst it is devastating to suffer the loss of a pregnancy, it doesn't need to be the end of the road.

If it is an ectopic pregnancy, look up the forums of the ectopic pregnancy trust. They are full of accurate info, and other women who have experienced similar.

Thank you Desert, I'm currently having double vision with a headache and an intense need to empty my bowls (plus aching pain in my right hand thumb). I'm really confused if these are red alerts or not, because I've looked ectopic symtoms up and they don't really fit with the description. I'm a little worried, could just be an odd migraine though.

I had a suspected ectopic pregnancy which turned out to be a missed miscarriage instead. I had the empty sac too. Wishing you good luck.

Marmite, by the looks of it, I also have an empty sac. It sounds awful but a miscarriage is, in a way, a bit more of a relief compared to an ectopic.

I think you should see or speek to someone. With the current investigations and the symptoms you've just detailed, something isn't right.

Hi Desert, I opted for a lye down (maybe foolishly), after taking some paracetamol and I feel absolutely fine again. I do think I need to take more of a precaution next time though.

Glad your doing better.
I've never had a migraine, so I guess my level of concern at your symptoms would be higher than if you've had migraines before with similar symptoms.

Do you have another appointment booked?

Sorry to hear you're in such an uncertain place.

FWIW, I'm currently most of the way through my 3rd post-ectopic pregnancy and all send well. All 3 conceptions were quick, all pregnancies trouble free. So, even if it is ectopic, it doesn't have to be detrimental to your future fertility.

Fingers crossed for you

Thank you ladies. The nurse called this morning to say that my hcg levels have doubled in the last week. I said isn't that a real cause for concern them because the doctor told me he'd like for them to either be dropping or in the 10,000s (for a normal pregnancy which I know won't be the case). He said it'd be a real concern if they were rising as it'll be an even further suspected ectopic. It seems as if my fears of ectopic has been confirmed but the nurse just said another scan has been booked for the 23rd because they think it's just an early pregnancy!

It feels like they're not listening! This isn't a viable pregnancy and obviously this is either a MC or an Ectopic. I feel so emotional because my doctor seemed really concerned for me if my bloods were rising like they have, yet the nurse was blasè

Can hcg still rise slowly with a normal MC, and not drop?

... Can you call the doctor again?

I had an ectopic so the next time I was pg and spotting, everyone was on high alert for a second one.

I can't remember the details but essentially they didn't see anything on vag scan, so did keyhole surgery looking at tubes, still saw nothing, told me I'd mced, hcg kept going up, kept doing scans, eventually saw small sac on vag scan, and eventually I did mc.

None of which is very lovely but I hope gives you some reassurance because it sounds quite similar.

But if you're at all concerned call the EPU. (Check the list of symptoms too - they're not all obvious; sore shoulder for example...)

Do you have a note of the dates, and aprox hcg levels? They are supposed to double every 48-36 hrs, so doubling in a week suggests a none viable pregnancy, but won't identify ectopic or miscarriage.

Hi, thank you for all the support. What's the difference between a non viable pregnancy and a miscarriage? X

Non viable = any pregnancy that isn't going to develop. Ectopic isn't usually classed as miscarriage (tho you do bleed, the baby had already been removed)