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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Ectopic pregnancy. What’s going to happen?

14 replies

ToftheB · 03/01/2019 19:23

Hi, I’ve had a rough day. I’ve just found out that my much wanted pregnancy is probably ectopic. It looks that way on a scan and I’m waiting on a second blood test to confirm and inform treatment. I’m uncomfortable but not in a lot of pain yet, but I expect it’s only going to get worse.

The people at the early pregnancy unit were lovely but they didn’t want to discuss treatments until they’re 100% sure.

I don’t know anyone who’s been through this and I don’t know what to expect. Am I likely to need an operation? It’s going to be a struggle because I’ve got a 1 year old who I look after full time and I’ve never left overnight. Am I likely to be able to conceive after or will my fertility be permanently affected?

I know that this is different for everyone, but if you’ve been through it and come out the other side I’d be really grateful to hear from you because I’m panicking a bit.

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InternalGangsta · 03/01/2019 19:32

I'm so sorry for you. I had to have surgery to remove the ectopic pregnancy via a scope through the belly button with an overnight stay. I have to say I was rather silly and insisted on waiting for a specialist microsurgical expert to come in in order to try to preserve my tube but I was jeopardising a rupture which could have been life threatening and by the time he got in it was too late to save my tube anyway. The moral of the story is to follow the professionals advice and look after yourself. Sending hugs

InternalGangsta · 03/01/2019 19:34

I've just read that back and realised that was probably not what you needed to hear. Sorry. I was trying to just say the professionals know beat and will do everything to look after you. Trust them and call some family or friends for support

Original poster

ToftheB · 03/01/2019 19:46

No, I’m grateful for your reply. I really don’t want to lose the tube, but you’re right there are more important things to worry about.
How long after diagnosis did you have the surgery? I guess the sooner the better, if they decide it’s necessary.

OP posts:

BeeYouTiful · 03/01/2019 19:48

Don't want to read and run but I'm wishing you all the best with your upcoming results x

miniloco · 03/01/2019 19:49

So sorry, I've been where you are and was heartbroken. I was 6 weeks pregnant at the time. Once ectopic was confirmed I had medical management, an injection of methotrexate. My levels didn't come down quickly enough so had to have 2 doses of this. This meant I couldn't try to conceive for 6 months- torture! But I conceived my daughter very quickly once we began trying again. You're in a horrible place just now but have everything crossed for you in the future

poppyseed2 · 03/01/2019 19:50

Mine was medically managed. I got the injection within 24 hours from when they confirmed the ectopic (overnight stay) and was sent home 3 hours later. I did need DH to stay home and look after DD the next day as well, since the injection left me feeling quite unwell. But bounced back fairly quickly and both tubes still intact.

Good luck

Impicciona · 03/01/2019 19:54

I ended up with a ruptured tube whilst waiting to get 2nd bloods back. Had emergency surgery to remove the tube. I'm grateful that the tube was removed as the surgeon said it was very damaged and I probably would have ended up with another ectopic.

If the tube is damaged enough to cause the first ectopic then removal is probably best. You can still conceive with 1 tube. Sorry that you are facing this OP. I know how unfair it is.

Polly99 · 03/01/2019 19:56

Hi there.
I’m sorry you are dealing with this.

Different hospitals have different treatment approaches. I’ve had two ectopics. For my first I was offered an injection called methyltrexate to end the pregnancy or surgery. I had a 2 year old at home so took the injection. It worked but wasn’t pleasant to be honest - one night I had a lot of pain and nearly went back to hospital. I had to have my blood monitored over the following days to check it was working. It also left me with a scarred tube, so 6 months later I had my second ectopic. This time I opted for surgery. I understand that that hospital offers surgery or, if your hormone levels are low / dropping, they wait for it to self resolve.

If you do need surgery, it shouldn’t have a material impact on your fertility. Fallopian tubes are mobile and can (and often do) pick up an egg from the opposite ovary. 4 months after my second ectopic I was pregnant with DD2, and she came from the ovary on my tubeless side.

If there’s anything else you want to know, just ask.

Polly99 · 03/01/2019 19:57

*methotrexate (terrible spelling...)

PerspicaciaTick · 03/01/2019 20:00

I had a succession of blood tests over a couple of weeks, plus an internal ultrasound. I was never in much pain and didn't have a lot of bleeding. The waiting was very hard and it was a long two weeks. I ended up having laparoscopic surgery to remove the pregnancy and my tube. I was physically OK after a couple of weeks, but had been signed off for 6 weeks and needed every moment to get to grips with it all mentally (especially as I was diagnosed with endometriosis during the surgery and been told my remaining tube was probably blocked).
I felt well cared for and didn't feel scared, but it was a long, emotionally wearing process.
be kind to yourself.

DontPanic42 · 03/01/2019 20:01

Hi, I'm really sorry for what you are going through. My first pregnancy was ectopic, I had to have surgery and I lost one of my tubes. At the time obviously devastating, but I can say physically recovering from the surgery wasn't too bad, (mentally was a different thing) and I conceived within two months of the surgery with only one tube and conceived my second child quickly too. If it does come down to it, only having one tube doesn't reduce fertility that much as you think, tubes can swap sides, weird I know! Wishing all the best in coming days

Chinnychinnychinnychib · 03/01/2019 20:16

I’m so sorry, op. My first pregnancy was ectopic, and ruptured. I had surgery and lost the tube. Went on to have 3 dds with no problems but I remember the devastation at the time, and send love your way xx

Original poster

ToftheB · 03/01/2019 20:23

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply. I’m really sorry you’ve been through this, but it’s honestly made me feel better to read about your experiences - it’s such a blow at the moment but I know I just need to stay positive and deal with whatever happens.
Thank you again, you’re very kind.

OP posts:

misstilly · 03/01/2019 20:30

So sorry to hear this op. I had an ectopic in June and had my tube removed surgically. I was also offered the injection but decided after speaking to the doctors to go for surgery. I was concerned that the tube must have already had some damage to have had an ectopic and the likelihood of another was high. Also with the injection it's 3 months before you can ttc again and that's if the first injection works. I had a holiday booked for just over 2 weeks after the surgery and was fine to go on this which I would have missed with the injection as you need regular blood tests until back to normal. It took over 2 weeks to diagnose my ectopic I then had surgery the morning after and stayed in hospital overnight. Hope you get answers quickly x

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