What happens when an ectopic is suspected?

[madeinthe80z]

Wondering what other people's experiences are. I'm going to be referred to the EPU but will I get a scan before the bloods are done or today even? I can't bear having to wait over the weekend for results and then a scan after that. I'm 5+2 ish x

They will probably scan you but just a heads up that it's likely to be a transvaginal scan.

You will definitely have bloods done too and they're likely to want to do repeat bloods 48 hours later as well.

Thanks, I was expecting the transvaginal one. I am a bit of a wuss with that stuff. Always have trouble with my smear etc but I'll just have to be a big brave girl 😆

Hi OP, I'm sorry you're going through this.

They will take bloods every 48 hours to monitor HCG levels. With ectopics they can rise, fall, then rise again. In normal pregnancy they should just double every 48 hours.
Then they will do at least one transvaginal scan (if you haven't had one before please don't panic, they're fine). To see if they can see the pregnancy location. As you're still quite early they're more likely to go from blood results if they can't spot the pregnancy on the scan, as even a normal pregnancy might not be able to be seen at this many weeks. But they should repeat the scan before they do any management.
Then I think each trust is different, with mine I was admitted into hospital after being monitored for about a week as the ideal is no medical intervention and your body handles it on its own. But also they don't want you to rupture and need surgery. So I went for a my second scan and they admitted me straight after (I wasn't expecting this so I didn't have any clothes or anything with me or prepped at home). So they let me wait right up to the point of where if they didn't intervene it would likely rupture soon, then I had methotrexate. I think I was in hospital for three nights.
If I was back in the same position I would take the methotrexate sooner, but at the time I was in a bit of a daze and just doing what they advised. And I think still holding out a little hope that they had it wrong.

I'm really sorry this I happening and I hope they're wrong and bub is fine. x x

Thank you so much for that reply. It really helps to know what to expect. I've just been referred for a scan, no bloods yet 🤷‍♀️ I have to wait for a call in the next 24 hours for my scan time so the long wait continues.... 😏

I had a scan (transvaginal- it doesn't hurt), and when they detected the egg in my Fallopian tube did bloods to monitor the hcg levels. As they were going down I was discharged and monitored via blood tests for a week (ectopic miscarriage- not pleasant but better than Fallopian tube removal I guess)

They'll do a blood test if they either can't see anything on the scan and want to confirm a positive pregnancy test or if they can see something they'll check your hcg level as Methotrexate isn't licenced and it isn't recommended if your hcg is above 5000 (I took it at the upper limit and it failed and I ruptured anyway)

If they see a heartbeat then methotrexate can't be given and you only have the surgical option.

I ended up having 2 ruptured ectopics and lost both tubes - I did go on to have twins via IVF so don't be discouraged x