Hi everyone, I have been going through expectant management for an ectopic pregnancy. My HCG levels started at 264 on 5th Jan when I started bleeding, I was seen at the EPU, had follow up bloods 48 hours later levels went up to 297 and confirmed ectopic. Was back 48 hours later for the next week and decided methotrexate was the way forward, when I went to have it my levels had a decent drop to 139 so it seemed to be resolving itself so we didn’t do the methotrexate. We continued monitoring bloods for a week and I went in with pain the following week, there were talks of surgery and I was admitted but my bloods were taken and they were happy with levels so we decided to continue with expectant management. It’s been working well (I ended up in hospital one more time thinking I had ruptured but I was actually having a massive panic attack - one of the unfortunate parts of expectant management is the anxiety that comes with it!!).
Anyway, my levels are down to 13 as of Thursday and I was discharged from the EPU, to take a pregnancy test in 2 weeks. She then said I would be cleared to start trying again when we are ready.
My question is, when am I ok to safely exercise? I find exercise a really good stress reliever for me and am desperate to do something other than walking. And when are we ok to have sex again? Not to try for a baby straight away, just to have sex. Do I wait for the neg preg test or am I safe to go?
Side note, I have been bleeding consistently since 5th Jan (just when I wee & wipe but passed clots etc), I am now just having occasional brown in my discharge.
Thank you in advance! What an essay!
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Expectant Management.. what next
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EPT Host 20
- Posts: 3168
- Joined: Thu May 31, 2012 10:58 pm
Re: Expectant Management.. what next
Dear Jenna,
I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and loss,
It is not unusual for women to bleed after treatment for ectopic pregnancy. This first bleed after treatment is a response to falling hormone levels and involves shedding of the uterine lining and is not classed as a period. The length of the bleeding can vary from woman to woman and some women do report spotting and bleeding for up to around six weeks after an ectopic pregnancy. This is what you will be experiencing now.
I would advise resuming gentle exercise and building it up slowly, we generally advise to wait until your hCG levels have reached pre-pregnancy levels so I would suggest after you have completed your pregnancy test and had a negative result. This would be the same advise for resuming sexual intercourse as you do not want to increase and intra-abdominal pressure, although there are other ways you may find comfortable to be intimate.
As a gentle reminder regarding conceiving again, we and many medical professionals advise waiting for two menstrual cycles. It is important to allow time for your body to recover and emotions to surface and be worked through. This is so that you have some comfort that your body is returning to its natural rhythm and you have a last menstrual period date from which to date a new pregnancy - key information in checking you are not suffering from an ectopic pregnancy in the future. The first bleed soon after surgery for ectopic pregnancy is not classed as a period as it is the body's response to falling hormone levels.
Sending much love,
Karen x
The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
Registered Charity Number: 1071811
Ectopic pregnancy patient information suite: Highly Commended in the 2019 BMA Patient Information Awards
**************************************************************************
During the coronavirus outbreak, The EPT team is still working hard to provide crucial information and support to women and families experiencing ectopic pregnancy as quickly and efficiently as we can.
If we have been able to help you, are you able to help us with a small donation or by volunteering or fundraising?
Further information is available at ectopic.org.uk
Email us: ept@ectopic.org.uk
We provide a call-back helpline service: 020 7733 2653
Take a look at our newsletters and subscribe to our mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/986bdd6091ee/ectopic-matters
Detailed medical information can be found on our website. Please remember online medical information is NO SUBSTITUTE for expert medical advice from your own health care team
***************************************************************************
I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and loss,
It is not unusual for women to bleed after treatment for ectopic pregnancy. This first bleed after treatment is a response to falling hormone levels and involves shedding of the uterine lining and is not classed as a period. The length of the bleeding can vary from woman to woman and some women do report spotting and bleeding for up to around six weeks after an ectopic pregnancy. This is what you will be experiencing now.
I would advise resuming gentle exercise and building it up slowly, we generally advise to wait until your hCG levels have reached pre-pregnancy levels so I would suggest after you have completed your pregnancy test and had a negative result. This would be the same advise for resuming sexual intercourse as you do not want to increase and intra-abdominal pressure, although there are other ways you may find comfortable to be intimate.
As a gentle reminder regarding conceiving again, we and many medical professionals advise waiting for two menstrual cycles. It is important to allow time for your body to recover and emotions to surface and be worked through. This is so that you have some comfort that your body is returning to its natural rhythm and you have a last menstrual period date from which to date a new pregnancy - key information in checking you are not suffering from an ectopic pregnancy in the future. The first bleed soon after surgery for ectopic pregnancy is not classed as a period as it is the body's response to falling hormone levels.
Sending much love,
Karen x
The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
Registered Charity Number: 1071811
Ectopic pregnancy patient information suite: Highly Commended in the 2019 BMA Patient Information Awards
**************************************************************************
During the coronavirus outbreak, The EPT team is still working hard to provide crucial information and support to women and families experiencing ectopic pregnancy as quickly and efficiently as we can.
If we have been able to help you, are you able to help us with a small donation or by volunteering or fundraising?
Further information is available at ectopic.org.uk
Email us: ept@ectopic.org.uk
We provide a call-back helpline service: 020 7733 2653
Take a look at our newsletters and subscribe to our mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/986bdd6091ee/ectopic-matters
Detailed medical information can be found on our website. Please remember online medical information is NO SUBSTITUTE for expert medical advice from your own health care team
***************************************************************************
