First Pregnancy after Ectopic

[Flappergirl86]

I've just found out I'm pregnant after having an ectopic just over a year ago. I'm thrilled to bits and have no cause so far to worry about ectopic happening again -pregnancy test lines are progressing nicely, I feel really well in myself and my gut isn't telling me anything is wrong and have had no spotting or bleeding, though I'm only a week late.

Should I push for an early scan to be on the safe side? Do they offer that as standard? I haven't been to Docs yet but I'm fearful they'll give me the same midwife I had for my first pregnancy who was absolutely useless -no idea why she became a midwife. I dont want them to just tell me to sit back and see how it goes because if it IS ectopic (chances go from 1 in 90 to 1 in 10 of having another ectopic when you already have one under your belt) and I lose my other fallopian tube, its game over.
Do they treat pregnancies after ectopics any differently? Does anyone have any experience to share?

Thanks xx

You can only see positioning at about 6.5-7 weeks in a scan, so that's the soonest you can know for sure.

HCG being weird is the only other real early indicator (except pain/bleeding etc) so if your lines are good, that's a good sign.

Your EPU should be happy to see you for placement scan if you mention you've lost a tube. Some need GP referral (pain in the arse) but some are turn up and wait. Google will tell you.

Good luck!

Ah that's good to know, I'll have a Google and see if I can drop in at 6/7 weeks. Thank you!

If you don't like your midwife or your not getting the answers you want maybe book a private scan?

I've had two previous ectopics and in my experience once I found out I was pregnant with the last one and this time with my rainbow I booked in with the GP who referred me to the local EPU they scanned me at 6 weeks. With the 2nd ectopic because they couldn't see anything they scanned me again a week later as well as monitoring my bloods.

With this baby they scanned me at 6 seen what was the sac but no baby so then scanned me again at 8 weeks once satisfied they discharged me and I went back to normal maternity care.

Good luck hope this is it for you 🤞🏻

Actually positioning can be detected as early as 5 weeks (mainly at private clinics as they have far better technology) but when you were discharged from your last ectopic they should have written on your notes that they would scan as standard at 6 weeks in your next pregnancy

My ectopic ruptured at just over 6 weeks last year and not to scare you but I had textbook hcg blood test rises and line progression on pregnancy tests. In fact out of all my miscarriages/pregnancy losses my ectopic looked the most "normal" in that respect

I've been pregnant twice since my ectopic (sadly both mcs) and both times I was asked to come in for a scan at 6 weeks. It can be too early to verify viability but they are looking to check it's in the right place. It's really important given the increased chances of having another as you say. Good luck with your pregnancy

Thank you for sharing your stories ladies, they're not comforting but I appreciate your honesty and I'm so sorry for your lost pregnancies. Xx

Sorry Flappergirl86 wasn't my intention to give a negative view at all, was just trying to emphasise the importance of having an early scan even with no pain or bleeding and strong tests when you've had a previous ectopic there are lots of people who go on to have successful pregnancies after losses, I had my daughter after two losses myself. Good luck in your pregnancy x

I had an ectopic last June. Fell again in October gp referred me for an early scan at 6.5 weeks which showed baby in right place. Im now 34 weeks! Good Luck, Its 9/10 chance baby is in the right place...