Did you have side ache with ectopic?

[m00ngirl]

I very oddly had ten days of significant spotting before I got my positive pregnancy test so was sent to hospital for a scan. Currently pregnancy of unknown location, they said I ovulated in right hand side.

shortly after I’ve had a dull ache on right hand side. Not painful, just noticeable and annoying. It came and went a bit and now is constant. So this has been 4.5 weeks to today which is 5.5 weeks.

it seems SO early to me to have any symptoms if it IS ectopic. I’m praying it’s just a coincidence..?! I’ve got a scan this week to try to locate it. Just worried sick though as has been so desperately TTC and would do absolutely anything for this to work out!!

please tell me your experiences of ectopic side pain, if you’re willing to share, as I’m trying to understand this symptom and mentally prepare myself for what might come. Thank you x

I’m sorry you are having to come in here for this reason.
I had an ectopic pregnancy and my symptoms were bleeding, pain on my side and a terrible back pain, in fact it was the back pain that made me test because it felt like the same as I had in labour,
Please take yourself to hospital, an ectopic is serious.
But I’m keeping everything crossed this isn’t one xx

@Rainbowlou0001thanks so much. I’m so sorry that happened to you. Labour style pain… how horrendous and what a shock it must have been. Do you know how many weeks you were when each symptom started?

Thankfully I’m not in pain but a dull ache is there… praying it’s a coincidence and caused by something else… but not sure if such an early, low level pain is symptomatic of an ectopic

I’m really hoping for the best for you OP! It’s been a couple of years but I remember that my pain was just a low level ache and never the indescribable pain that you read about and it started pretty early on and I had surgery to remove tube pretty quickly (it’s funny how you forget but I want to say I had surgery around 6/7 weeks).

@Househunt2026thanks so much, I’m so sorry you went through that… do you mind me asking, did you get pregnant after the surgery?

it sounds like I have exactly the same as you… sad but helpful for me to prepare for what may come, thank you x

Yes I did, but it was more like a stitch type of pain, a bit sharp, rather than a dull ache.

In my subsequent non-ectopic pregnancies I’ve also had one sided pain which was more of a dull ache. It was caused by a corpus luteum cyst which is normal.

How far along were you when you had a scan and did they take bloods 48 hours apart considering it was PUL?

Good luck and keep us updated!

Thanks, that gives me a little bit of hope! I’m so sorry you went through that. Wonderful though that you had a successful pregnancy after that awful experience.

Literally can’t sleep for worry (and the feeling in my side being a constant reminder). I was only 4w+3 at first scan. No, they haven’t repeated bloods. I’ve done tests at home over the past week and the line is now v strong so I’m definitely still pregnant. I have another scan tomorrow..

Actually if my side ache was a cyst they’d surely have seen that on the first scan. I feel like I’m just waiting for the inevitable now. It’s torture.

I’ve never had 24/7 side ache before so I can only think it’s an ectopic…

I was trying to stay positive as though that would affect the outcome but obviously it won’t. I’m pretty sure what’s going on.

I know it sounds silly but I’ve been trying for ages and also if the baby had been born at term based on when I got pregnant, the date would have had special significance. It was a dream come true. It feels so cruel. And now also having to think of how much harder it’s going to be getting pregnant if I lose a tube. Unthinkable.

They probably wouldn’t have mentioned it because it’s normal, they only mentioned it for me because I had to have scans at 6 weeks to check it was in the right place and had been complaining about one sided pain!

Mine was discovered at 7 weeks and was already “resolving” itself so I didn’t need an operation and they took and wait and watch approach, so even if it is the worst case scenario please don’t think you’ll automatically lose a tube.

Sending strength and good wishes for you today, please let us know how it goes! X

How did your scan go OP? Thinking of you!

OP I hope it went well too! I did get pregnant again (in the right place hurrah!) just a few months later. The doctors said that removing one tube only reduces your chances by about 10%.

I also am wondering how you are. I am about 4.3 from my calculations and my only symptom really is left sided dull aches. I haven't had any spotting but I only tested yesterday. They are quite noticeably on one side. I do have a little back ache. Went to GP who has referred to A&E. I am not sure what to expect at this point.

Hi @fresherkare you at A&E now? Sorry to hear you’re going through this! I hope you’re ok.

Thanks so much @LVPLVT@Househunt2026for the nice messages and info - so appreciated ❤️ well, would you believe it, there is a sac in the womb..! Ectopic ruled out. I can’t describe the relief and joy! I have no idea how I got here after ten days of blood/spotting before my positive test and then a side ache… No idea! It’s too early to see if it’s viable but they’re doing a scan towards 8 weeks to check for that. The spotting is much less now so I have reason to hope. The side ache is getting more pronounced though , GP has sent urine off to a lab. I’m wondering if beginning of kidney stone or something?! What would the chances be of that happening at the same time as a much wanted pregnancy! I usually avoid doctors at all costs so they probably think I’m mad at this point 🤪 but honestly it feels like the universe has played a massive trick on me and given me every reason to worry. I think if I am lucky enough to get a heartbeat at the next scan I will finally feel the joy you have getting that positive pregnancy test… whereas when I got mine I thought wtf, I’ve just bled for 10 days, and got sent up to hospital 🙈

I will update again when I get more answers. Having read bloody hundreds of similar threads in my panic I think reading other people’s experiences is so helpful for knowing what to expect etc when you’re in the same boat.

Having only merely had to worry and be investigated for ectopic rather than actually have one, I can’t imagine how sad and stressful that experience must actually be. I’m so sorry for what you went through. Thank you so so much for sharing your advice and experiences. I haven’t told family/anyone at all except DH (who is lovely but clueless) about what’s been going on, so it was a huge help xx

Happy your scan went well. Could it be your appendix?

Im happy to hear your positive signs. Its a shame you're still having pains and I hope they get to the bottom of it, but it sounds promising. I also feel for you experiencing this without anyone knowing. I am in the same boat. My husband had to stay with our children last night and I went to A&E alone. I was triaged and then they contacted the EPAU who said they were closed and to go back between 9-10 today. Safe to say I've had the worst night's sleep worrying. Trying to be positive, but realistically can't understand what else this feeling could be. Its really low down in my groin and very lower abdomen so my gut is an ectopic which is heartbreaking.

I’m so pleased for you OP! That’s brilliant news ❤️

My ectopic pregnancy was my first, and I’ve since had two babies. I was really surprised by how painful pregnancy can be! I feel like people always say how pregnancy makes them fed up etc but I felt a lot of cramping/stretching with my eldest which morphed into round ligament pain as time went on, and I got carpal tunnel 😂 I had none of it with my next pregnancy though, it seems to be luck of the draw.

@fresherk I hope it goes well today! With your estimated gestation it’s possible they won’t scan/or if they do scan they might not be able to see
much yet (my local EPU won’t scan until 6 weeks or thereabouts). You can ask them to take bloods 48 hours apart to see how your HCG is doing, it’s not diagnostic in itself but might help to indicate what’s going on x

Update - had a scan, got a baby and a heartbeat! Quite miraculous after the start I had. Over the MOON. Am just over 7 weeks so keeping everything crossed now for 12 weeks. Thanks so much for advice and support ❤️

ps STILL have side ache… no idea why

Congratulations @m00ngirl !!! Wishing you all the best for your pregnancy! Exciting times 🎉🎉🎉

Hey OP. So pleased to see your update. I've had two ectopics, one of which ruptured, and multiple miscarriage too. However I'm now 25+2 with my miracle IVF girl.

I was so terrified this pregnancy would be ectopic as I had all kinds of pains, aches, pulling feelings, dull aches, throbs - you name it. It's all been round ligament pain, and I also had it more on one side until around 8-9 weeks (I had a scan ruling out ectopic at 6 weeks so knew not to worry!). I think some of us do just get more of these pains than others and they don't always mean something terrible. I still get round ligament pain that takes me breath away at night time sometimes but my baby is healthy and all going well. Good luck with your pregnancy!

How wonderful. My daughter is 5+2 today with second pregnancy having had a missed miscarriage with twins in March. It's so hard emotionally. As a grandma to be I have found it so hard to watch her go through the pain. It's because I can't fix it. Sending you all the joy in the world for your pregnancy.

Massive congratulations OP I’m so pleased for you x

That's such lovely news. Its strange isn't it how bodies work. And obviously we fear the worst when it is so important to us. Congratulations! That's really exciting.

I had a scan at 4 weeks and they said they could see a gestational sac in the right place in my uterus. They arranged a second scan for when I should be 6+5, which is Monday next week. Im counting down the days and hoping to see some progress. I haven't had any bleeding and I cant stop weeing, or crying. So im taking those as positive signs.

All the best for your pregnancy.