Ectopic pregnancy - terrified

[Sarahjane1988]

Hi everyone. I’m new to this site but have signed up as I feel I need to talk about ectopic pregnancy. Originally I thought I had a miscarriage but then over the last few days I’ve had cramps start on my left hand side. I’ve had three blood tests and I’m goi g for my second scan tomorrow. I’m absolutely terrified and I have no idea how this has happened. I’m 31 and am seriously worrying about my future now for a normal pregnancy. Please can anyone shed some light? I am expecting the worst here and I don’t know what to do. Thank you

I am so sorry to hear what you are experiencing. Has anyone told you about ectopic.org.uk/ ? Lots of good info & support there.
Sadly ectopic can happen to anyone. The most important thing is that it is recognised. I am glad to know you have follow up booked for tomorrow.
Suggest you look at the above website & make a list of things you want to ask tomorrow.
If you start getting worse pain, not relieved by ordinary painkillers you MUST go to A&E at any time, day or night.
Hope this helps a bit x

Thank you @nanmumandmidwife x

I had an ectopic that was not picked up by 1st scan and was originally diagnosed as a miscarriage. You say you’ve had 3 blood tests, assuming for hcg? Are your levels decreasing?

No. My levels are increasing very slightly each time but not enough to be a normal pregnancy. They went from 92 to 352 (that’s what they currently are) in a week. Middle reading of 310. How did you get diagnosed in the end and what symptoms did you have? What was the outcome? @thunderandsunshine01

@cacaoisfarraige are you pregnant now or have you had your baby? Is it all as traumatic as it sounds? I can’t help but worry

Hi Sarahjane, firstly - I’m so sorry that this is happening to you. Any miscarriage is terrifying and extremely distressing. As other posters have said, if the pain gets worse or continues - do go to a&e immediately. I had an ectopic pregnancy diagnosed in 2014. I had a positive test followed by cramping. The cramping was intense but then let up after 6 or so hours abc I thought everything was fine. Went to a Early Preg Unit the following morning for reassurance and, unfortunately, the ectopic was diagnosed by ultrasound. For me, the tube was ruptured and required immediate surgery. It was a very sad time. The pregnancy was about 8 weeks in. The only thing I can say is that the surgery itself was quick and the recovery was fine. I’m totally phobic of hospitals, needles and the like so do believe me when I say that it really was OK. Secondly, despite having the tube removed - I went on to have a successful pregnancy as did my friend (she had a further 2 kids) who coincidentally had the same thing happen to her a few months earlier. Sending you lots of love. I really hope it’s not ectopic but just wanted you to know that - if it is - the doctors will take great care with you and there is a very good chance that you will get pregnant in future xxxx

I had a scan but it was inconclusive so they admitted me to perform a laparoscopy to investigate, this confirmed the ectopic diagnosis and internal bleeding so they removed the tube. I felt so much better after the operation, I didn't realise how awful I was feeling (mostly caused by the internal bleeding). It's a really shitty thing to go through but the recovery time is quite quick, was out of hospital in a couple of days and fell pregnant 3 months later with my beautiful DD who is now 5. Wishing you all the best

Hi @Sarahjane1988 sorry to hear about what you are going through. I am going through the same at the moment. Positive tests, slow rising HCG (400 as of Friday), cramping and bleeding. I have been told it is likely ectopic and am due for another scan this morning to see if they can locate it this time. It’s a very uncertain time good luck for today x

Thank you so much for all your support. I will let you all know how I get on today. Xx

Hi, hope you had some answers today. I had methotrexate for my ectopic 5 weeks ago. Took 4 weeks for my levels to return to normal.
Prior to my diagnosis I was considered pregnancy of unknown location as had levels above 1500 but couldnt find on scan. Had niggling abdo pain in the right side. At my second scan they still struggled to find it but after a lot of hubting found it at my right ovary.
I was lucky I didnt need surgery (although methotrexate was not as easy the option as I thought)

I still don’t really have any answers as of yet. It is still down as an unknown location but they couldn’t see anything near my ovaries or in my tubes and found a possible start of pregnancy in my uterus! Still unsure though so back for more scans next week. I’m still getting a few shooting pains on my left side so until I know for sure nothing is ruled out. My hormone levels aren’t high enough for the pregnancy to be healthy so I’m not sure what will happen if that is still the case next week. There’s a possibility that with my irregular periods I have my dates very wrong ... but I’m pretty certain on when we conceived so don’t see that it can be more than a week out. Basically, everyone is clueless! I’ll keep you all updated xx

I could have written this post so can relate to how you are feeling.

Ive had very similar initially told old hormones from previous miscarriage i had end of October then new pregnacy then old hormones then pregnant then miscarriage but at my last bloods the hm level has raised but slowly so now possible eptopic pregnancy. Such a confusing scary time.

Really hope things get sorted for you and you get some answers xxxx

Hi are any of you lot up? I just got in from A&E. Feeling sore and confused

@Monkeyhoney76 we here x

@mumma2016 I hope you get it sorted! I have yet another scan tomorrow and have absolutely no idea what to expect 😩 I’ll let you all know how I get on. @monkeyhoney76 is everything okay?

Had ectopic in 2014, emergency key hole surgery to remove right tube as it bursted and had internal bleeding. Was very scared at the time, it was my first pregnancy. But it was all good in the end, fell pregnant as soon as my period returned which was after 3 months and now have my 4 year old girl🥰 Interesting fact- got pregnant from right ovary where I don't have tube. This September fell pregnant agin from my right ovary but sadly ended up in missed miscarriage.
As you can see I fell pregnant twice after ectopic and yes I feared the worse but reality is you still have good chances. Feel for you, lots of love😘

Thanks for the support ladies. I'm okay. Lots of sleeping. Was upset when I have got in from a + e . The consultant was so patronizing. I didn't need reminding I've not had a positive pregnancy test. I wanted reassurance my left tube wasn't rupturing. Had no AF since September and felt v happy and v pregnant! Got the belly and the glow and freckles and extra love from my o h. All of which I am still treasuring. What I never got was a positive home or doctor's hcg in urine or blood. Then finally a week of unbelievable pain in my lower/mid left abdomen concentrated in one spot. I know where that is coz I'm one of those weirdos who always feels myself ovulate. I went to two different maternity suites and got turned away as not booked in. Finally went via NHS 111 to emergency doc appointment , who then sent me to a + e next door. I started vaginal bleed whilst I was there gowned up. No knickers no pad , so embarrassing. Consultant basically accused me of coming in with period pain. This is after initial doctor had discovered blood in my urine and high lactate in my blood. Have since looked those up and they're linked to miscarriage. I think I had an unviable pregnancy hence hcg below their discriminatory levels. And I'm passing it still now. Keeping an eye on how much blood loss. And working up the courage to ask GP tomorrow (if I can get an emergency appointment!) for a scan so they can at least look at my tube (which just gave me a massive twinge and is still hurting a lot) . Never knew menstruating could feel such a relief. It was pretty isolating feeling pregnant and only my partner believing me. We both felt a load of flutters and one strong flick. Bonded for life is the upside of this awful week. No wonder ectopic rupturing is still causing maternal deaths bin this day and age.

Hi everyone, how slow does your HCG have to be rising to indicate ectopic? I had my HCG done at what I think was 4 weeks pregnant and then again at 4+2 going by LMP date, on the first bHCG test my results were 125.6 and then I had another done 46 hours later and they were 217, I haven't had one done since. I'm now what I think 5+4 and got a clearblue digi 3+ yesterday. Them two tests my HCG didn't double but she said they had risen by 72.6% and they like a rise over 66% to class it as a viable pregnancy. I went for a internal scan to locate the pregnancy at what I think was 4+4 but they could not see anything as to early, so going for another scan at 6 weeks.