Freaking out about ectopic

[Sessy19]

I’ve had a very uncomplicated history, although it took us nearly two years to conceive. But I had a thought last night that has stayed with me all night, that I might be having an ectopic.

I’m clocking about 6+2 now, and since just before I tested I’ve had a very dull, very mild low cramp that has been relatively persistent and the odd slight tugging feeling if I turn over in bed.

I’ve had no pain and no bleeding at all. But now I’ve read about ectopics and I’m alarmed for virtually no reason.

Are the low, mild aches normal? Should I go to the docs this morning? I’ve been feeling quietly confident about this pregnancy since the test, but now I’m panicking.

Please don't worry too much. I've always had that one-sided dull ache feeling in early pregnancy - think it's caused by the corpus luteum- and a bit of tugging is normal as ligaments start to stretch ( can become v painful with sudden movements such as sneezing). Would an early scan put your mind at rest?

Thank you @sebashocked. I guess a scan might help...if I pay for a baby bond type experience, are those sonographers able to identify if a heartbeat is in the wrong place?? I’m pretty sure my doc would laugh me out of the surgery!!

Early scan will be able to see if pregnancy is in the right place, yes.

I had a bit of a sore bit on my right side very early on. It went away after a bit, but came back around the 5-6 weeks mark. It wasn’t dreadful, but I had to work in Budapest about a week later, and was a bit afraid of things going downhill there.

I went to see a doctor (it was an NHS111 call in the end, as it seemed to become properly consistent on a Sunday). He pressed down on my abdomen and I was surprised to find that it was quite uncomfortable! (I’m not suggesting for a moment that you poke yourself - leave it to the professionals!) He sent me for a scan the next day.

Everything was fine in the end. It was just a random ache. Baby was in the right place and even had a heartbeat. But having the scan really helped me to feel better about the whole thing, and to worry less about those uncomfortable niggles in particular.

I had a similar pain at about the same time of pregnancy as you. It was completely one sided therefore i was sure it wasn't stretching etc as the pains i got from that were always similar on both sides. I then googled it all and convinced myself it could be ectopic. In the end i had an early scan for another reason which showed everything to be in the correct place. Some more googling later i read about the corpus luteum cysts and told myself it could have been that. Nothing was seen on the scan to explain it and i had the pain for several weeks before it ever did go. But i'm almost 36 weeks now with a healthy pregnancy.

Obviously i am no expert and if you are worried i would contact your GP/midwife first to see if they feel you have reason to worry but it's entirely possible it isnt what you think :)

My first pregnancy was ectopic (after ttc for a couple of years and having fertility issues which they couldn’t diagnose) I’ve since gone on to have 3 dc and pregnant with my 4th! With each dc I have had the mild dull cramp type feelings and occasional tugging sensation. With the ectopic it was a much more severe one sided pain and bleeding. If you are concerned call the midwife and she may send you to an early pregnancy assessment unit for scans and blood tests. I had to go for blood tests every 48hours for just over a week and by the last time I went in I was in excruciating pain!
In all likelihood what you are experiencing sounds normal though! x

Haven’t had an ectopic but I know someone who has and the pain was very sudden and excruciating. She said it felt like she had been stabbed in the left hand side, she was doubled over in agony.

Low level cramping is perfectly normal in early pregnancy.

Thank you everyone for replying. I am not in pain, and I know (I think!) that everything is probably normal, I just have this ludicrous irrational anxiety...I’m hoping the midwife will call to make a booking in appointment this week, and I’ll talk to her if so. But your messages were really reassuring. Thank you 😊

If it helps, there’s a 99% chance it’s not an ectopic (ectopic risk is 13/1000).

The Early Pregnancy Unit at your local hospital can arrange a scan for you on the NHS but in most areas you will need to see your GP to be referred.

Hi OP, I had similar fears as you. I had a private scan at 7w which showed a tiny baby with a sac which was in my uterus rather than tubes and a flickering heart beat. I remember having a cold and being in agony when I sneezed or made sudden movements x