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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

how much pain in ectopic pregnancies?

43 replies

monkeymoma · 01/05/2012 15:02

hi, I have mild right sided pain but it's more of a pulling/bruised feeling, a little like ovulation pain, but it's also the side of my CS scar that has the most scar tissue. I'm wondering what KIND of pain and how much of it counts as one sided pain, the kind where you need to start worrying about ectopics?

(so as not to drip feed: 4 weeks with a week of spotting so far)

thanks x

---------------------

Hi there - this thread is a little old. If you'd like to know more about ectopic pregnancies, we've got more information here. MNHQ

OP posts:
roguepixie · 01/05/2012 15:16

I have had two ectopics.

The first one was horrific - worst pain in my life. However, I was about 8 weeks and hadn't known I was pregnant. The fallopian tube was starting to rupture - hence the pain. I was about 1 day away from blood poisoning.

The second was caught very early - no pain but spotting.

However, not all spotting means an ectopic pregnancy. I finally got pregnant with IVF and had spotting for the first 12 weeks.

You need to get a scan - go to the dr's first and explain your concerns/worries but be prepared to go, privately if necessary, to confirm your situation.

I wish you a happy outcome. x

milk · 01/05/2012 15:25

When I was 5 weeks I had some ectopic symptoms and rushed straight to A&E.

They were happy to scan me there and then to ensure everything was alright (turned out everything was fine).

If in doubt, I would check it out.

Original poster
monkeymoma · 01/05/2012 15:26

thank you for your reply, and sorry to hear about your experiences roguepixie,

I feel like it's too soon to even approach HCPs, and did have spotting with my DS but this time it's prolongued. I also had some pain early on with DS but this time it does seem R sided (but then, that is where more scar tissue is this time??)

I feel in a bit of a limbo, not sure at what point "normal" spotting and aching becomes a cause for concern!

OP posts:
roguepixie · 01/05/2012 15:45

Thank you monkeymoma, I have a wonderful DS now, through the wonders of sIVF, Smile so am fairly chilled about my experiences now.

However, I really would push for a scan. It is never "too early". If you are worried then you need to be checked and either (a) have your mind put to rest because there is nothing wrong or (b) be in a position to act on any findings. I hope that it is the former, but you can't ignore it if it isn't (not that you are but you need to get to ectopics quickly - if that is the situation you are in).

You may have an ovarian cyst? This would account for side-specific pain. Fibroids are also a possibility. (Just trying to think of anything that may be causing your symptoms). However, nothing is certain until a scan.

Get yourself to the doctor and press for a scan - they can give you a form immediately and you can stress the necessity of an early/immediate appointment. If you need to go privately then they should be able to recommend someone. Don't be fobbed off - you are concerned so you need to be seen.

roguepixie · 01/05/2012 15:45

Sorry, get a bit preachy... but go Grin

Original poster
monkeymoma · 01/05/2012 15:47

it's okay I appreciate it Smile
I will phone tomorrow, in company now and don't want to share

OP posts:
roguepixie · 02/05/2012 08:11

Morning monkey. Hope you have managed to get an appointment?

Good luck with getting it sorted out and, of course, the outcome.

Midgetm · 02/05/2012 08:34

I agree, get seen. I had a suspected ectopic that blew up at about 4plus 4, very early, but I ended up in an ambulance and having to be resusitated. They may not be able to see where it is yet but they can check you HGC levels. Good luck, hope it's nothing but don't feel silly going in.

cosysocks · 02/05/2012 08:55

Hi Glad I've found this thread.
I'm around 4/5 weeks and had terrible pain in my side yesterday to took myself to a&e after bloods etc they allowed me to go home but to have scan asap.
The next appointment for a scan was Tuesday morning. My bloods came up pretty high which gyno said indicated normal pregnancy.
So if they are leaving it until Tuesday to scan they mustn't be too worried? Stressing out a bit but also trying to think positive.

Original poster
monkeymoma · 02/05/2012 10:00

my local EPU sees from 6 weeks on, have an appointment with the GP this afternoon

lines are getting darker
pain is getting stronger
spotting is getting thicker
Sad

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Original poster
monkeymoma · 02/05/2012 10:12

good luck for tuesday cosysocks x

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Haggisfish · 02/05/2012 10:15

I am in a similar situation, but without the spotting. Had a scan which showed a possible 4mm sac, but nothing conclusive, so sent home to wait for another blood test today. Quite high HCG levels, indicated i was definitely pregnant.

If your spotting and pain are getting worse, I would go to A and E, or 'fudge' your dates with EPAU. Have you got any other children? If so, have you arranged for childcare while you go to docs? From what I understand, if they do suspect an ectopic, they parcel you off to A and E sharpish and then they act pretty quickly, too.

Statistically, we can't all have ectopics - fingers crossed none of us do.

Original poster
monkeymoma · 02/05/2012 10:26

where was the sac Haggisfish?

Oh god I dont wanna go through A&E! - I was hoping for a direct referal for a scan! I work there Confused, already had to tell a handfull of people cause I left work early yesterday, god I don't want everyone knowing Sad

by LMP I'm over 5 weeks, but I know that I am actually only just 4, I don't want a wrong date though because that would cause problems later on if things were okay

OP posts:
Original poster
monkeymoma · 02/05/2012 10:27

"Statistically, we can't all have ectopics - fingers crossed none of us do"

Smile - thread mantra!

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Original poster
monkeymoma · 02/05/2012 10:29

yup 5+3 by LMP but 4+0 by OV

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piprabbit · 02/05/2012 10:33

I had no pain at all, at any time, with my ectopic. Just some spotting starting around week 6. I had another 2 weeks of having my HCG levels monitored every couple of days and some internal scans before the consultant decided he needed to go in and take a look. In the end he removed the pregnancy and my right tube.

I hope you are all OK and things are resolved quickly for you. I'll be thinking of you.

Original poster
monkeymoma · 02/05/2012 10:34

thank you for sharing your experience piprabbit Sad
sounds like there's a lot of waiting to see involved eh?

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Haggisfish · 02/05/2012 10:58

thanks everyone as well - the sac was in the uterus, which was good, but then the other lady said 'it could be anything', ie there are no guarantees.

Do you work in A and E monkey? I think if the pain and spotting do get worse, you so need to go. Think what you would advise a friend to do - then take your own advice!

Dropdeadfred · 02/05/2012 11:04

I had the worst pain in my life with an ectopic. Sadly the Roy scanned me and said it was not ectopic and sent me home... 2 days later I was rushed to a and e . My tube ruptured and had to be removed. My advice if they scan and its not conclusive then you also get bloods taken and repeated as hcg levels in ectopic can rise differently apparently ....anyway best of luck I'm sure you'll be fine

Original poster
monkeymoma · 02/05/2012 11:04

I suppose, I was a mess at work yesterday and have to go back and face the few people I blubbed at, don't want to add to the list! I kinda even feel a bit silly going to the GP, afterall if it werent for early tests I shouldn't even know by now should I?

That's fantastic that it's in the uterus, that's one less thing to worry about! hope it progresses for you x

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Original poster
monkeymoma · 02/05/2012 11:05

that's terrible dropdeadfred! Sad

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Dropdeadfred · 02/05/2012 11:06

Not Roy. Epu!!

Dropdeadfred · 02/05/2012 11:07

I know monkeymama. I was sent home to look after my 2 yr old... I almost collapsed with pain before calling my husband to come home and he took me to hospital. But hey, I'm alive!!!

Original poster
monkeymoma · 02/05/2012 11:30

Shock Angry

OP posts:
Lucylucy57 · 02/05/2012 12:00

I had no pain at all with my ectopic, just sudden stabbing pain in the middle of the night at 7 weeks and an ambulance to hospital to deal with what turned out to be a ruptured tube and extreme internal bleeding. Id been at at BBQ earlier that day feeling totally fine.
When I got pregnant again a few months later, they checked my bloods and got me in for a scan pretty sharpish to see if everything was in the right place. I was just 6 weeks when they did this and thankfully everything was fine. Im 31 weeks now.
I think any pains with early pregnancy can be worrying and cause us lots of stress. The thing to bear in mind is that you are being monitored and they will pick up anything untoward as soon as they can as a result. If you feel very worried, always call your midwife for reassurance. I found a great deal of comfort in my early pregnancy unit team, both with my ectopic pregnancy and then worrying about the state of my current pregnancy. They were outstanding and nothing was too much trouble or too short notice.
I hope everyone is ok and tries not to worry too much.