Ectopic pregnancy?

[HazelBee123]

At 39 i'm currently 7 and a half weeks pregnant (I think) having got a fairly definite pink line 3 weeks ago. Its my forst pregnancy but apart from sore breasts for a few weeks and very bad back and hip pain though I've had no real symptoms. At 6 weeks I kept having an sharp pulling pain on one side though and a bit of brown spotting and was concerned it could be ectopic. I rang my doctors to discuss and they weren't interested and referred me to the maternity line who took my details and said they'd write to me with an appointment but heard nothing since. Im really anxious and go back and forth between panicking it could be ectopic and not really believing I'm pregnant at all. Is there anything I can do?

I booked a private scan with babybond to check for my own peace of mind. If you can afford it, I'd recommend it. At eight weeks you should also be able to see a heartbeat, which is always nice.

I would see if you can contact your local Early Pregnancy Unit (EPU) as they would be the best people to help. I’m surprised your doctor didn’t refer you to them already as that would be the normal process but you may be able to self-refer if you contact them directly.

For reassurance the chance of an ectopic pregnancy is around 1% but pain and spotting in early pregnancy is much more common. I had very similar symptoms to you at the same time but a scan at EPU showed all was fine. It is important to get it checked though.

Hello, sorry to hear you are going through this. I have recently gone through similar and I don't want to alarm you but I would recommend going via your GP and getting them to call your EMU and force them to see you.

I was 7 weeks pregnant and suffering from sharp abdominal pains, my GP called the EMU who tried to get her to prescribe me strong pain killers and send me home. Unfortunately I was a confirmed ectopic and in surgery the next day, by that point I had severe internal bleeding as well.

As I say, I really don't want to alarm you but I knew my body and I knew things weren't right - to an EMU your another person who may just be panicking. Trust your instincts!

Fingers crossed for you xx

Sorry EMU - early mariners unit, which is the same as EPU - early pregnancy unit xx

I went through this and had persistent bleeding and cramps. I went to A and E and had a scan and bloods at the early pregnancy unit. They were brilliant. Do go, you may be fine, but if you're bnot it can be dangerous. Better to be safe.

Hi. Thanks for all the advice really helpful. I called my doctor today but again got directed to the maternity line. They've given me a first appointment for 14th November and told me to go to A&E if I start to get severe pain in the meantime. The lady on the phone implied all first time mothers overworry about these things which I guess could be true. A month sure seems like a long time at the moment though. Bit weepy but trying not to stress as I know that won't help in the long run.

Please keep on at them, I speak from experience. Nobody wanted to know when I had one sided pain and bleeding. The EPU were so dismissive of me even though it was second pregnancy and I knew my body. I went to A&E twice. Eventually got them to take me seriously (but even then got attitude from the nurse). I'm lucky to be alive apparently.

So - please, please please keep nagging them.

Hi Hazel,

Sorry to hear your Doctors appear to be fobbing you off and tell you to wait until the middle of November. Personally I'd keep at them, or alternatively, you can, arrange a private scan?

Even when I went to the EPU, the midwife said if you are ectopic and 7 weeks pregnant you wouldn't be functioning just now with the pain (I managed to drive myself to the hospital!) She was shocked that my scan come back as an ectopic and said mothers know they're own bodies.

Try to relax, it's potentially just pains from your uterus moving and making room. Going from the pain I was in, which made me double up in pain, I knew it wasn't just that. It's hard not to worry xx

Although the pain isnt getting worse I've booked a scan tomorrow to be on the safe side. I'd rather have the peace of mind than keep worrying for another month. Thank you all so much for the advice and reassurance. Fingers crossed I am just being over cautious.

Well today has been a bit of a rollercoaster. From the initial relief when I saw that my baby was indeed growing in utero to the heartswooping terror of being told there was a 'serious cause for concern'. Turns out my baby is much smaller than it should be by now and it's heartbeat is erratic and too slow. That was all I was told at the time and the lady wrote up some notes and advised me to contact my GP. Having read the notes she's suggest it may have a condition called Hydrops. My own internet research has told me the odds on this arent good. Oddly at the moment I'm quite calm about it and though it isn't the news I hoped for I'm eternally grateful to those of you who suggested an early scan as at least if this pregnancy fails we will have an idea as to why which I think helps
All I can do now is hope the gp will refer me to the epu so we can hopefully get some more clarity.
Thanks again for responding and all the advice.

Oh I really hope everything is okay! Fingers crossed for a quick referral.