Positive test after ectopic few months ago

[mummylifesince17]

Hi all,

31 yo with a 19 month little girl. I had an unexplained ectopic pregnancy in August and had two shots of methotrexate the last being the 6th of sept. I was advised to leave 3 months to try again and would be clear on the 6th of dec. during this time we weren’t sure we would but I wanted to take control and prep my body just in case. I was never big (small size 10) but went on a real health kick and lost 10lbs& also started folic acid as soon as my levels were 0 which was only a short while after my second dose. I also started a trying for a baby supplement in November for the vit D and extra folic just in case I was low.

Anyway my cycles were a little random 30days/36 days and 30 days with my last starting the 10th of December. Anyway we were clear but it was a busy month. Healthy eating went a bit off for a week over Xmas and I indulged in a few drinks. We had sex on the 21st, 23rd and 25th of December.

Last week my breasts felt so odd really tingly and weird. I also noticed a little spot of milk on one and when pressed more came out. Thought it was odd as I had stopped BF 6 months ago & even then was hardly ever and didn’t have any issue stopping. I also noticed certain smells seemed strong but that’s about it. Anyway today I went to loo I saw the faint tinge of pink very very faint but sure it was there. Assumed my period was coming but had a test and just tried my luck. It came up positive pretty quickly. First one was an Asda cheapy which was faint but got darker then a first response which I did with only s splash of urine as I was really desperate to know and it was quite strong (I think).

I am a bit worried about the faint pink. No more since & don’t feel like I did so far with my ectopic which I felt horrendous with right away (severe back pain/ brown discharge a week before test and always took ages to get the positive line).

My first response test

Asda cheapy tests (one after a min other a wee while later)

Congratulations, sorry you have had a rough time, I recently had methotrexate treatment (just over a week ago) for pregnancy of unknown location. Like you I am making the most of the next three months to prep my body for carrying a child.

It's lovely to hear you now have your positive as it gives me hope that it can happen again for me and my partner. I think it is more than normal to be feeling anxious at this time, have you spoken to you GP or anything about getting an early scan, blood tests etc. To put your mind at rest a little?

@undomesticgodde55 I am so sorry you are experiencing it - it is the worst! I was the same I say ectopic but they thought they saw a shadow however in the end it was my levels minimally rising that made the decision. It was a horrid drawn out experience. I hope your levels are plummeting and at least the blood tests are soon a thing of the past. It was a weird feeling when the hospital visits stopped and I got the call to say I was back to 0- aka it is over; one of relief and sudden realisation that physically it was but emotionally it really wasn’t. So, be kind to yourself it is a process.

I only took the tests this afternoon. I am on cycle day 28 so it’s super early especially since I have been 30 days + since the ectopic. The EPU told me to phone when I was pregnant again so I could have a scan at six weeks arranged in order to confirm it was in the right location. I know it may be a bit silly but I want to wait until I am another week along (if I get there) just in case it is a chemical pregnancy etc. I will need to wait a couple of weeks anyway so feel like making the call a bit closer to the time might somehow not make the wait so painful if that even makes sense.

Wishing you so so much luck for the future. It really is a hard and sometimes lonely experience as it is not a loss often discussed. Hugs to you xx

I understand why you want to wait completely. I think I would be the same - almost in a way to protect yourself if it happens again. That's good that the EPU will give you an early scan, if they have a decent heart beat in the right place I think chances of a miss carriage after is down to around 10%. Do you have good support around you at the mo? I personally found telling close friends and family what had happened a life saver, even though they hadn't been through it themselves it's always good to talk about it.

Yes exactly. The pregnancy tests seem darker this time my numbers were pretty low with my suspected ectopic so I’m hoping that is in some way positive. Last time I didn’t get above 1-2 weeks on a clear blue and I just knew. I will pick one of them up to do soon.
Last time I initially told my husband only. I eventually told my mum but unfortunately she broke my trust and let my sister and work colleagues know I just don’t feel ready to trust her with the info again. I also told two of my closest friends, one I am certain told a few people and the other found out she was pregnant at exactly the same time. It was hard for her to enjoy her pregnancy and now she is quite far along I don’t want to burden her with it. My husband knows I showed him the tests. I think he is cautiously happy but after last time knows not to think too far into it until we know for sure. I guess it’s a waiting game now...something I am rubbish it

Just an update-I did a clear blue test and it came back pregnant 2-3 weeks I think I am 4 weeks along going from last period and dates we had sex. Provided I have no scary signs I will probably phone the EPU at the end of next week to see about the early scan. They won’t see much for a couple of weeks anyway so going early don’t do much good unless I have worrying symptoms. Tbh all I feel just now is tingly breasts here and there (still get milk when squeezed what is that about?!), a bit tired and bloated. I don’t feel unwell like I did with my ectopic so I’m trying to focus on the positive (literally) and remain cautiously optimisistic. Fingers crossed! Xx

Sounds positive, I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed for you. Please keep us updated how you get on

Just an update. I’m pretty sure it’s either another ectopic or going to miscarry. Had a few pains in my abdomen at weekend and my cleablue test remains at 2-3 weeks but I should be up to 3+ by now. No bleeding but I didn’t really have that last time until much later. I have a scan organised for the 24th however I don’t think it will be good news.

I phoned the EPU as I was panicking. Got my bloods taken yesterday the HCG came back as 4736. Much higher than my ectopic I never got past 150 but really means nothing as it’s all about the doubling etc however high enough that they are scanning me tomorrow to see if it’s in the right place. Won’t see much I don’t think but I have everything crossed it rules out ectopic at the very least. No bleeding etc but I’m trying to be pragmatic and keep in mind that it can go either way. Not sure if anyone is checking this but updating in case anyone ever needs a thread on life after ectopic/loss as it’s so scary. Also clearblue weeks indicator is a bit random as it should of show 3+ so I reckon after 2-3 weeks take them with a pinch of salt or don’t buy it just worries you even more

I'm so sorry about your previous ectopic and the stress that you're currently going through. I hope the scan tomorrow brings you good news

@mynameiscalypso thank you very much that means a lot. I have a feeling even if it’s not ectopic it will a waiting game for the next part (heartbeat/ repeat blood results). I’m just trying to take it one day at a time as it took over last time for so long. Easier said than done. If it’s ectopic again I don’t think we will try again it’s been too much. Thanks again 💗

Update- I had a scan on Friday. Pregnancy Is in my uterus. She could see the yolk sac and a very tiny fetal pole that was like 1mm. No heartbeat but my last period was the 10th of dec so if everything was bang on I would be 5+4 at the most when the scan was done. She marked my results as 5+ as it was too small to get an exact. I am a bit concerned at how small the fetal pole is everything I looked at said it should be slightly bigger and obviously scary not seeing a heatbeat but she said she wouldn’t expect to see one at the moment. I go back on the 31st of January for a repeat scan. I didn’t get my HCG repeated the EPU nurse felt if the results didn’t come out exactly it could just cause a lot of worry and unless I have worrying symptoms I should try to focus on being positive until the scan. I am very relieved it’s not ectopic but I don’t have many pregnancy symptoms so we will see.
Thanks as always for your comments

Just an update. Had a scan today measured 6+6 with a heartbeat so early day obviously but positive news which was lovely. Was also sick this morning, not so lovely but I don’t even care I’ll take all the symptoms for a happy outcome

Congratulations 🥳 amazing news for you

I suffered an cervical ectopic in October and have just started trying again.
I have been feeling a bit numb to it all. I couldn’t bring myself to tell anyone. The only
Person who knew apart from my partner was my boss as I had to have best part of two months off work. My partner felt more assured telling his family and closest friends.
I still shudder to think how they looked at me, with nothing but sorrow and love in their eyes. The way I coped was by simply swallowing my feelings and trying to ignore that it had happened.
It’s been a bit lonely to be honest.
Sorry for the ramble but what I meant to say is thank you for posting this up. It’s the first time I have really had any contact with someone else who has experienced an ectopic.
It’s helped to read about your joy.
It’s given me hope.
From the bottom of my heart I hope that your pregnancy is perfectly normal and beautiful in its conclusion.
Sorry for highjacking your post x

@undomesticgodde55 thank you so much hun 💗 I hope it happens for you soon please update me with the magical news whenever it happens. In the meantime I hope you are coping ok I know it’s rough xx

@Faedawn please do not apologise I am so happy you reached out and posted. I know how awful and lonely it is. To be honest I wish no one but my husband had known but i think using boards like this really helps, finding people that understand is so much easier.

Ectopic pregnancy is such an awful experience that few share and I think if I am honest it will stick with me for the rest of my life. I am aware I am lucky to have a young daughter that was incredible at giving me purpose to get out of bed each day because it can be pretty soul destroying. I know I was tortured over the future and what it meant- would I have more kids? Would it be too risky to try again? Why wasn’t one enough, am I just being selfish? This was my personal torment and I know it may differ if you do not have a child. What I found power in was trying to claw back some control. I ate well, took my vitamins& exercised. We had a 3 month wait and some weeks/ days even were better than others but i threw myself into other things. By the time the 3 months was up I was too busy with Christmas to focus on it and actually remember thinking it would be a bit inconvenient anyway. I also had a tummy bug the week before so knew the chances weren’t really there but low and behold I am pregnant.
What I am rambling on about it- look after yourself, get yourself feeling good again and try to find a new happy. It probably happened quite soon for me and I am finding it a bit of an anxious experience but I know now my odds are like everyone else. I am sure your time will come too. Stop reading google or any horror stories about multiple ectopic because you will terrify yourself. The stats are on your side the same way with a miscarriage.
I am sending you so much love I really feel for you xxx

I thought I would post an update - I had my 13 week ultrasound today and baby was happily bouncing around measuring 13+1. Obviously I am still fairly early but I hope it gives a bit of hope to anyone on the journey after an ectopic.

This is wonderful news I’m so so happy for you xxxxxx

Thank you so much @Faedawn I hope you are doing better? Wishing you so much luck for the future

I am currently 4+4 and trying to stay positive, I’m so very please you are doing well.
Your message meant the world to me so thank you xxx