Does this sound like an ectopic pregnancy?

[LittlePoppit]

I came home last night with dull ache in both sides of abdomen and quite strong wind! When I woke up this morning the pain was in left hand side of my abdomen and it was so, so, so, so painful. I called NHS direct who told me to go to a&e where I duly went. After blood and urine tests and an internal examination, the doctor said she cannot rule out an ectopic and that they will call me this week to arrange an early pregnancy scan. She said that my hormone levels in my blood tests look good. The pain in still there but is now more of a dull ache and I have had no bleeding. Obviously, I am worrying about it constantly and just want to have that scan!

I'm sorry you are having to wait, how many weeks are you? If the pain gets worse or anything changes go back to a&e.

I'm about 8 weeks. They did say if the pain gets worse or if I bleed to go back....

Could they not scan you there? I know all hospitals are different but mine has an ultrasound unit in a&e. I'd be worried too but she did say your hormone levels on the blood test looks good which would indicate to me that an eptopic pregnancy would be less likely, I'm not a Dr though.

If I were you, and because I worried like hell in my first trimester, I'd go back to a&e even if the pain doesn't get worse and insist that they scan you.

I didn't actually ask why they couldn't scan me there and then because I assumed it was due to being New Year's day. I will ring some private clinics in the morning to see if they are open tomorrow although it is a bank holiday so I doubt it.

I'd imagine there would be someone in the hospital today or tomorrow who can scan you. I went to out of hours GP, based within my local hospital at 5 weeks preg with pain. I've had prev gyne surgeries and early MC, I didn't hide how worried I was and the very kind GP called the on call OB in the hospital to ask if perhaps they could check my blood and do the 48hr doubling test. Anyway on call OB said get up to Gyne and they'd scan me to rule out eptopic. They did it within an hour. This was on the Easter Sunday Bank Holiday.

Good idea on calling private clinics, where are you based? I'd take it as a good sign though that they didn't scan you, if I'm honest I think that an eptopic pregnancy can become dangerous from about 7 weeks, not trying to scare you but trying to say that if they sent you home at 8 weeks without scanning you then perhaps they are relatively confident that it's not. They would always say they can't rule anything out though.

Try not to worry, go back if it's really worrying you, say the pain is worse or say you've had some spotting. There is no point waiting and worrying.

That is true. Worrying and waiting is pointless. I am going to call the hospital tomorrow and see if I can have the scan or call some private clinics. Thank you for your input

Hi Poppit. Seems like you've already been given great advice. Whilst waiting for tomorrow though, I thought I'd say that I was in a similar situation a few months ago.

I thought my pregnancy (number 2) could have been ectopic due to the agonising pain at about 6 weeks onwards. Fortunately, after a few scans, they found that was not the case. It felt like a combination of cramp and stabbing pains.

At 8 weeks they should be able to see straight away due to the size of the egg (i.e. it's now clearly visible on scans so they can see where it has implanted).

It is most likely to be implantation pain, but you're absolutely right to check. First trimester can be a frightening place with all the odd aches and pains but your body is adjusting and will eventually start stretching to accommodate the wee monster.

If you have any fears at all at any point in your pregnancy, just go and see your gp / midwife / specialist. That's what they're there for and they won't judge you for being careful about your pregnancy.

Let us know how you get on :)