What to expect following an Ectopic

[TotnesTotty]

Dear MN's

Any advice or information would be much appreciated on what to expect following an ectopic pregnancy.

A potted history: Having been told I couldn't have children following PCOS in my early 20's and a borderline tumour resulting in the loss of one ovary I found myself pregnant in December 2010 at 38 years of age.

My DH and I were very shocked (in a pleased way) and were just starting to come to terms with the news when I had my 12 week scan on the 10/01. Sadly the scan revealed that the pregnancy was ectopic and I was whisked straight off to theatre. They managed to save my remaining ovary but had to remove the fallopian tube.

I'm back home, feeling a tad sore but largely on the mend. It's all been a bit of a whirl wind and I think I'm still in shock. I have no idea what to expect in terms of my hormones, physical recovery, emotional impact etc. Any advice or info would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

Hi Totnes,

So sorry to hear what you've been through.

I had an ectopic pregnancy in February, and lost my left tube, but like you still have both ovaries. It was a really horrible time and I got a lot of comfort and support from the community at the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust.

www.ectopic.org.uk/forums

I was lucky and made a quick recovery both physically and emotionally. I was comforted in some ways by having lost the tube as I knew that the damaged part of my reproductive system had been taken out, and that during the laproscopy they had used the camera to check everything else looked okay...

I took the advice of the specialists at the hospital and the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust and waited three months before trying again. Looking back both my husband and I needed that time to reflect and I know it was necessary to make sure my physical scars were healing okay.

I was very, very lucky- I had my tube removed on 20th February last year, and am expecting a baby girl on 23rd February this year. Of course, for some people the emotional and physical recovery takes longer, but there are plenty of positive stories out there to give you hope.

Please PM me if you'd like to ask me anything, and do visit the EPT chatrooms.

Take care of yourself and your DH- I know it must be a difficult time for you both.

xx

I'm so sorry, Totnes. It's a hard thing to go through.

I had 2 ectopics, one treated with drugs and the second surgically. They were 6 months apart.

I'd say that afterwards I felt pretty mixed up. I was disappointed, grieving, sad, angry with my body and, weirdly, relieved to be alive (the first time at least). I went back to work a week after the surgery (very gingerly- I avoided rush hour) although I know that a lot of women are at home for a lot longer. I also got a slight infection in one of the laparoscopy incision sites, but that was easily treatable - I put some soap in the bath a couple of weeks after the op and that seemed to start the infection, so be careful about that. And I finally felt on an even keel hormonally about 3 weeks after the surgery, although of course I felt sad for longer, and quite desperate to conceive again.

I hope you're feeling better soon.