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1st pregnancy is ectopic - is there any hope?

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Sarahd_6
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Dec 09, 2019 9:35 pm

1st pregnancy is ectopic - is there any hope?

Post by Sarahd_6 »

Hello,

I hope someone can help me, share a similar story or offer some advice.

I’m 31 and was on the contraceptive pill (Yasmin) for 16 years. 18 months ago my husband and I decided we would try and start a family, but in no rush. Unfortunately after coming off the pill my periods never returned to normal. After many doctors appointments and tests we decided to see a private fertility specialist. I had further tests, including hycosy and everything came back perfectly normal with a good egg reserve too. My husbands tests also came back good and healthy. I was therefore diagnosed with unexplained infertility - anovulation. From here I was prescribed 6 months worth of clomid and after my first month was tested to make sure it was making me ovulate. Hooray, it was working! After 4 months I finally got the BFP we had been dreaming of.

As part of my fertility treatment I was booked in for an early 8 week scan and this is where alarm bells were initially raised as nothing could be seen in my uterus. I spent the following day at the EPU where the worst was confirmed - ectopic on my right side at the fat end of my tube. I had absolutely no symptoms of ectopic and was told it hadn’t ruptured and wasn’t putting too much pressure on my tube - hence no pain. I was then suddenly faced with the loss of my pregnancy and also a serious health issue. It all went from very happy and exciting to extremely traumatising very quickly.

My hcg levels were just over 4500 and due to no rupture, was given a methotrexate injection. My 4 day bloods showed that my hcg had spiked slightly but I was told this would probably happen. I am back in on Friday for day 7 bloods where I will find out if it’s working or if further treatment is needed.

I am feeling incredibly anxious about the future and constantly worrying ‘what if it happens again’.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? Is there any hope for me having a healthy pregnancy in the future? I know we have to wait 3 months post injection to try and conceive again.

Thank you xx

EPT Host 20
Posts: 3155
Joined: Thu May 31, 2012 10:58 pm

Re: 1st pregnancy is ectopic - is there any hope?

Post by EPT Host 20 »

Dear Sarahd_6,
I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and loss. When we experience ectopic pregnancy we are suddenly faced with a life threatening emergency and it's treatment, reduction in fertility, concerns about the future and the loss of our babies. Experiencing any one of these is an ordeal, putting them together is immense and your feelings are completely normal.

Unfortunately I cannot comment on individual circumstances as we do not have access to your medical records but generally, the chances of a further ectopic after a first in UK is 10%. So that's 90% chance of the embryo being in right place next time.
While generally it is possible to conceive after an ectopic pregnancy, the amount of time it takes varies from couple to couple. Factors include age, general health, reproductive health and how often you have sex, among other things. It may be comforting to know that 65% of women are successfully pregnant within 18 months of experiencing an ectopic pregnancy and some studies suggest this rises to around 85% after two years. Also in terms of chances of future successful pregnancies, studies do not show a significant difference between treatment routes, whether surgical, medical using methotrexate or expectant management (allowing time for the body to resolve the pregnancy itself).

Regarding trying to conceive following Methotrexate, you should wait until your hCG levels have fallen to below 5mIU/mL (your doctor will advise you when this is through blood tests) and then take a folic acid supplement for 12 weeks before you try to conceive. This is because the Methotrexate may have reduced the level of folate in your body which is needed to ensure a baby develops healthily. The Methotrexate is metabolised quickly but it can affect the quality of your cells, including those of your eggs and the quality of your blood for up to three months after it has been given. The medicine can also affect the way your liver works and so you need to give your body time to recover properly before a new pregnancy is considered. A shortage of folate could result in a greater chance of a baby having a neural tube defect such as hare lip, cleft palate, or even spina bifida or other NT defects. This is why the "wait" and then taking folic acid for 12 weeks before trying to conceive is so important.

Please be kind to yourself and allow time to grieve, to heal both physically and emotionally.
Sending much love,
Karen x
The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
Registered Charity Number: 1071811

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Xxciaraxx
Posts: 11
Joined: Fri Dec 13, 2019 10:26 pm

Re: 1st pregnancy is ectopic - is there any hope?

Post by Xxciaraxx »

Hi Sarah , do you have any update ? Xx

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