By registering on our forum, you can view and contribute to more topics on ectopic pregnancy. Your details are confidential and we do not send unsolicited emails. For your confidentiality, you can choose your own forum name to protect your anonymity if you so wish. If you register, there is no obligation to post; you can simply take comfort from the words of others. It is entirely up to you whether you post a message or read others' experiences or do both.
Recently diagnosed ectopic
Recently diagnosed ectopic
I feel like it’s all my fault and reading about the recovery time and when we can start to try again it feels ages away and I think I couldn’t handle going through this again
People who have had the injection did it work for you? And how long did it take for your hcg levels to go below 5?
Thanks
-
- Posts: 3168
- Joined: Thu May 31, 2012 10:58 pm
Re: Recently diagnosed ectopic
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.
Personally, I also had methotrexate, and I hope it comes as some comfort that I went on to have two successful pregnancies and we hear from many women who successfully conceive following methotrexate treatment.
I am afraid it is difficult to predict how long it will take for your hormone levels reach non-pregnant levels. As we are all individual, our bodies respond differently to the drug and it depends on factors like how high levels reached and our unique physiology. What I can say is that it can take a number of weeks and, while it can take some time, it is not as invasive a procedure as surgery. It is also encouraging that your levels are falling steadily although I appreciate that it can be a drawn out process. 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.
Above all, be kind to yourself. Allow time to grieve, to heal both physically and emotionally. We will be here for you for as long as you need.
Sending much love,
Karen x
The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
Registered Charity Number: 1071811
**************************************************************************
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
The latest EPT newsletter is out now! You can take a look at the Winter edition 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
***************************************************************************
Re: Recently diagnosed ectopic
Sorry to hear you are going through this awful experience. I too found out recently (Sept 12) that my pregnancy was ectopic. I was not planning to get pregnant but I had 48 hours where I believed I was and I was happy and got quite attached to the idea.
What were your hcg levels when you got your mtx shot? Are you having any side effects?
Hope you are taking care of yourself during this time as none of this is your fault and your health is most important now. I too have been hard on myself, wondering what's wrong with me and why this happened to me, but I stop and think what would I say to my best friend instead. I certainly wouldn't talk to her the way I talk to myself sometimes. Please be kind to yourself during this time, you deserve it.
Re: Recently diagnosed ectopic
Fingers crossed I can be successful next time because I don’t think I can go through another loss again
Re: Recently diagnosed ectopic
Re: Recently diagnosed ectopic
Long road ahead but hopefully one day it will happen