Convinced of Eptopic pregnancy

[Estateagent33]

I am trying really hard to be level headed about this, after 5 failed IVF attempts, chemical pregnancies and losses. I never for a minute thought I would get pregnant naturally.

My DH and I have just come back from a short break in Spain, in the airport my DH asked when I was due on, I brushed it off but realised I hadnt. When I got home I did a test, to my amazement it was two very pink lines appeared quickly followed by a digitaltest that said 2 -3 weeks, so still really early days.

Now here is where I am yet to feel the excitement for worry. I had a bad back for the last few days of the trip, which has now almost gone but not completely. I have had a consent dull aching pain that doesn't hurt as such, but I am aware of it and that doesnt change to other parts of my stomach it is just in my left lower abdomen. I spotted once, each day for two days, that was minimal brown staining of the tissue.I have no pregnancy symptoms, no shoulder pain, no temperature.

I called the doctors, they said to fill out the mid wife form on line and someone will call me. I dont want to be dramatic but I am absolutely petrified, there doesnt seem any point going to epu because I doubt they would be able to see anything so early on?

I would be ever so grateful for someones thoughts/ experiences with this. I cant believe getting pregnant has happened to me but I couldn't cope if it was one I had to loose.

TIA

I think lots of people don't have pregnancy symptoms at 2-3 weeks. I didn't. I know it must feel impossible, but try not to worry until you know more. Those symptoms could be anything. Fingers very crossed for you ❤️

You need a scan and hcg levels every 48 hours . Get the gp to refer to EPU or if you have pain go to a and e

My ectopic was visible 10 days after I had a positive pregnancy test at 10 dpo. I had no symptoms except a strange feeling on the left side not pain just an ache

I’ve had 5 ectopics over 12 years. You need an early scan. With every single one of mine the one constant symptom was brown gunk on the toilet paper. No red blood, just brown smears, like the tail end of a period. As soon as I saw that with every pregnancy I knew that it was going to end up with another ectopic. Fingers crossed for you OP. Speak to your GP who will refer you for bloods and a scan. With ectopics, HCG levels don’t double up every 48 hours as they should. They creep up instead.

I had similar symptoms to you and was convinced it was ectopic but luckily it wasn't. I called EPU and they booked me in for a scan the next day (I was about 6 weeks). They told me they always see people with one sided pain and even if they couldn't see anything on the scan they would do bloods and monitor. Luckily they could see baby in the right place at the first scan. I would definitely cal EPU or ask GP to refer if they need to. Hopefully all will be okay 🤞🏼

Thank you, I am just hoping I have managed to convince myself and it turns out to be fine but I will take everyone’s advice and speak to the EPU in the morning x

Back pain is a sign of early pregnancy. Waking up with an achy back is what prompted me to do a pregnancy test as after a chemical, I assumed my period was just taking longer. So back pain alone shouldn’t make you think the worst.

And pregnancy symptoms vary for everyone. So again, no symptom at this early stage isn’t a bad thing.

Considering your history of loss, I would call the EPU as soon as you’ve registered with the midwife. Theres nothing to suggest you have an ectopic pregnancy so I wouldn’t go to A&E.

@Starbugg its just the persistent dull ache in my lower abdomen that hasnt really gone for a few days now. Its a niggling feeling something isnt right.
I dont think I need to go to A and E, its not unmanageable pain. But like you suggest, I think its a good idea to EPU xx

@Leonarda89 oh im so pleased baby landed in the right place for you, im just hoping mine has done the same and I just need to chill out. 😎 x

At 5 weeks for me, my ectopic was causing pain which wouldn’t go away with painkillers or a hot water bottle: it felt like constant trapped wind on one side. I couldn’t lie or sit down in any position at one point. I would also get shooting pains up my side/back/bum. When I started to bleed i went into hospital - mine was red not brown.
scan confirmed nothing in uterus and bloods gave us a good indication it was likely ectopic even without being able to see it.

lower back pain is a normal early pregnancy symptom, and having no other symptoms is also very normal. Brown spotting too can be implantation bleeding.

only a scan or repeated hcg tests will give you a clear indication. My hcg was low and did not rise hardly at all.

any one sided pain is checked out with EPAU so I’m confident they will do scans or at least bloods for you. Possibly this early on they would be able to see a sac at least in the right place.

really hope it’s all in the right place, do let us know x

@H20202 I am so sorry that happened to you, it’s so blinking cruel. Thank you for taking the time to respond. I am really grateful. I’m going to call and speak to them tomorrow and see if they think I should go in and get checked out. Xx

My first pregnancy was ectopic. For subsequent pregnancies I've had scans at 5+2 and 5+3 and both clearly showed a uterine pregnancy.

With the ectopic I started bleeding at 7 weeks and was diagnosed by scan at 7+2.

All 3 of my pregnancies have had the same early symptoms in terms of back ache and cramping (this terrified me with the second and less so with the third). The only difference with the ectopic was that I didn't test positive until I was 5 days late and that was a faint line.

The two uterine pregnancies had good lines at 1 day late with the first and the day my period was due with the second.

Hopefully EPU can scan you today and give you some answers.

lots of things I’ve read have said there is absolutely no reason to have pregnancy symptoms this early because the chemical reactions happening are still small at this stage due to baby being so small.
plenty of reasons for spotting that don’t mean the worst.
again I think if the ache in your side was ectopic it would be too small (baby to feel)
and back ache can also be normal as I seem to have a fair bit this time early on and currently 16 weeks :)

@DemelzaRobins also agree with this my lines were so faint with ectopic when I tested a few days after MP, with new pregnancy lines every clear at 9DPO and progression every few days. I
obviously lines can’t tell you if pregnancy will be viable but in the short term might give a little indication on how the hcg is rising x

So, the pain disappeared, I thought perhaps I am just being ultra nervous.

This morning we are back to spotting and the pregnancy test lines are the same no darker. Ive made the call to 101 go into the EPU waiting on a call back from GP.

Can anyone tell what the procedure is when I get there. Its bad enough I cant stop crying at the thought of this not being viable but the thought of being stuck in hospital for a day or more is making me so anxious. TIA xx

@Movingstressangst thank you fingers crossed hopefully will know more shortly xx

@H20202 the spotting is back and so is the constant dull ache what I have noticed is the tests not getting darker. Im guessing the levels arent rising.

Ive been hanging off doing it because im scared to know if it is what I think it will be but ive made the call waiting on a call back to go in 😢x

I am so sorry, try not to lose hope. x

In my hosp there is a gyne a&e which you can just present at with any spotting/pain.
I’d be triaged then wait to be seen for scan. Definitely not full day in hosp!

If they don’t see anything on scan you’ll likely be sent home and rebooked in.
If they do see ectopic you’ll be given 3 options. Expectant management (wait and see if body deals with it), medical (single injunction of methotrexate in the bum killing all folate and helping you to naturally pass it) or surgery (most hosps will take whole tube to make sure they’ve got all the mass), if not emergency (you’ve not ruptured) you may wait a few days depends on hosp and how busy they are.

Your wait must be very unsettling I’m sorry you’re still none the wiser. x @Estateagent33

The day I went in I was only at EPU a few hours, if that. Got there and waited to be scanned. When they scanned me they said they couldn't see a pregnancy in my uterus and were going to call a senior doctor in to have a look. As soon as she arrived she said the initial doctor was right and I had a tubal ectopic pregnancy (first doctor obviously didn't want to tell me that without a second opinion).

They then explained next steps (bloods repeated in 48 hours and then a decision on whether I could continue with expectant management or would need methotrexate or surgery). I was 7+2 at that point.

@H20202 ive been sat in A&E for a while waiting for someone of gynecology to come to get me.

Ive not been to A&E before, its like a zoo here in Cardiff. Most unsettling but hopefully we can get some answers soon.

Thank you so much for you response at least I know what I am too expect. Xx

Don't worry, they won't keep you in unless you need surgery. Surgery at this point is unlikely. They would need to find a pregnancy in one of your tubes that is big enough to need immediate surgical intervention.

Based just on my own experience, I think they'll do a blood test which will need to be repeated in 48hr. They'll ask about your symptoms. They might decide to scan you. If not they might have a feel of your tummy. I was scanned 4 days after visiting a&e (but then needed surgery the day of the scan). The a&e doctor booked the scan for me.

In the scan they'll look to see if they can find a pregnancy in your uterus, or signs of a pregnancy in the womb (eg thickened lining). They'll check your fallopian tubes.

If they find an ectopic there might be different options for treatment as @H20202 said, including monitoring and seeing if it resolved itself.

Hope you get seen soon!

Hi all, thank you for taking time to respond. Its sad news... Its in my fallopian tube which requires emergency surgery this evening to remove. My heart is breaking as I sit in this hospital room alone, waiting for the first baby I have ever conceived naturally to be taken away.

But on the plus side. I managed to conceive naturally! Even if it wasnt smart enough to know where it was supposed to go.

Thanks for all your support x

So sorry about your news. But you are right to be positive by two things- you have conceived naturally and you listened well to your body. Hope the next one is your month.

Ah no @Estateagent33 so sorry to hear this. Same thing happened to me, i had a scan and was told I needed emergency surgery. Such an awful feeling.

The surgery itself wasn't too bad and there wasn't a lot of pain after, hope it's the same for you