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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Do I need to go to A&E?

36 replies

Herewegoagain49 · 02/11/2023 13:39

Hi,

I'm about 5 weeks pregnant after a previous ectopic that resulted in my tube removed over the summer. Over the last few days I've had on and off quite bad back pain and a few twinges in my abdomen, then this morning I've had some dark red/brown spotting. I took a test and my test line looks slightly lighter than it did previously.
I already have a scan booked at the EPU for next week to check the placement and I rang today and they said they couldn't fit me in sooner. I'm still getting quite a lot of back cramps.
I really don't want to lose my other tube. Not sure if I'm miscarrying, if it's another ectopic or what...
Is A&E my best option or do I need to sit it out?

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 02/11/2023 13:41

.

idioteque · 02/11/2023 13:41

I personally would go. I hope it's nothing but I wouldn't risk it.
I'm at risk of ectopic pregnancy too.

Please go xx

DustyLee123 · 02/11/2023 13:42

DustyLee123 · 02/11/2023 13:41

.

Edited

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DustyLee123 · 02/11/2023 13:43

Yes, id go.

TeaKitten · 02/11/2023 13:45

You should go, or atleast phone 111 who will no doubt tell you to go too. It’s really not worth the risk.

Original poster
Herewegoagain49 · 02/11/2023 14:04

Thank you. I've just rang 111 and waiting for a call back.
Did another test and line is much fainter even though I've only had spotting.

OP posts:
Original poster
Herewegoagain49 · 02/11/2023 14:04

So devastated.

OP posts:
idioteque · 02/11/2023 16:27

Have 111 called back? Hope you're ok

Original poster
Herewegoagain49 · 02/11/2023 16:48

Well, been to hospital and back home again. Nobody will do anything 😭

OP posts:
idioteque · 02/11/2023 16:57

@Herewegoagain49

You're joking?! Omg why!!! That's ridiculous ☹️ how are you feeling?

whatsoutthere178 · 02/11/2023 17:00

Wtf?
I suspected I had an ectopic in a different country..they took me seriously, straight in, internal scan. Turns out I was right and treated immediately with follow ups every week to check my hcg til then deemed it low enough that the ectopic had gone. Also it saved my tube and had DD from same tube a year later.
FML they should be taking this seriously, I'm so sorry for you and hope for the best.

Original poster
Herewegoagain49 · 02/11/2023 17:05

They said because I'm already booked in for a scan at the EPU on Monday they won't see me until then, but to come back if the pain or spotting gets worse!

OP posts:
Original poster
Herewegoagain49 · 02/11/2023 17:06

So scared I'll lose my tube.

OP posts:
BiscuitsandPuffin · 02/11/2023 17:10

I'm so sorry OP, this happened to me 7 years ago too. They made me wait 4 days for an emergency scan to check where the baby was, all the time I was miscarrying, then when the time came, they were genuinely surprised there was no sac left. I was sent home with no follow up or advice or information about the miscarriage I was having. Was hoping things had improved these days but it doesn't sound like it.

The way they treat women in early pregnancy situations in practice vs in theory is appalling.

💐

I was so angry I moved abroad and had my antenatal care in an Asian country where they were completely shocked that I'd had so many miscarriages (5) and no investigations or fertility tests or anything in the UK.

BiscuitsandPuffin · 02/11/2023 17:15

Herewegoagain49 · 02/11/2023 17:05

They said because I'm already booked in for a scan at the EPU on Monday they won't see me until then, but to come back if the pain or spotting gets worse!

It's ridiculous but in hospitals if you can easily talk through your pain they don't take you seriously at all (that's the same when you're in labour) even if you have a high pain threshold. This is how a lot of women get overlooked. Maybe go back and make it more obvious that you're in a lot of pain so you get checked? It's your entire fertility on the line, I'd go back personally. An embryo can grow quickly at this early stage. It could be the difference between saving your ovary.

idioteque · 02/11/2023 17:29

Monday is too far away for such a serious possibility especially when you've had one before!! I'm so angry for you.

Nervousnell19 · 02/11/2023 17:57

Wow that is awful how they’ve left you, for all they know it is an ectopic and it could rupture at any moment.

sometimes the care woman get during these times is absolutely shocking.

I hope things turn out ok for you, it’s one of the worst things I’ve ever had to experience ❤️

Poppins2016 · 02/11/2023 18:01

I'm sorry you're in this position, OP.

In your shoes, I'd book a private viability scan if that's an option for you (you absolutely shouldn't have to do that, but it might be worth it for reassurance).

Prettything · 02/11/2023 18:09

I would go for a private scan too around me they are about £70/80 it would be worth it for peace of mind I'm so sorry you're going through this 🥺

Original poster
Herewegoagain49 · 02/11/2023 19:15

Sadly I live in the middle of nowhere and an early scan sooner than Monday is going to be very hard to come by.
I've started bleeding a bit more and test line fading so feeling reassured (although obviously still very, very sad) that's it's more likely to 'just' be a miscarriage.

OP posts:
VariationsonaTheme · 02/11/2023 19:27

When I had an ectopic 7 weeks was the cutoff for whether I needed to stay in and be scanned immediately, or whether I could go home and wait it out. So it may be to do with that, especially if you already have a scan booked.

DemelzaRobins · 03/11/2023 00:18

This is awful. I had an ectopic last year. Ruptured at 7+3. Conceived again earlier this year and was booked in for a location scan at 5+4. Started bleeding at 5+2 (a Saturday). After about 7 hours at A&E they scanned me and confirmed a uterine pregnancy that was starting to miscarry.

Horrified they're making you wait until your planned scan. Is there another hospital you can try?

Original poster
Herewegoagain49 · 03/11/2023 15:56

Thanks to all who've replied. There's no other hospitals nearby as we live rurally.

I was feeling better thinking it was more likely a miscarriage but now lines on tests look darker again and I'm getting lots of brown 'coffee' discharge. Pain on the side where I had my tube removed already?
What do I do?! I don't want to turn up just to be turned away again!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Herewegoagain49 · 03/11/2023 15:56

Paranoid that it will rupture before Monday...

OP posts:
CCrowe · 03/11/2023 16:13

I'm so sorry you're going through this.

It's worth phoning EPU and saying the pain is more intense and your bleeding increased. You may get someone else on the phone who is more helpful or a gap may come up - we were offered a scan if we could get there right away which we did. Do reiterate your concerns about losing the other tube.