Bleeding after surgery

[carlenef]

Hi. I am just back home after suffering a non-tubular ectopic on Sunday morning. I had severe stomach pain, shoulder pain and fainting due to blood pressure but no vaginal bleeding. I required emergency surgery due to severe internal bleeding. My fertilized egg had travelled through my left Fallopian tube and attached to the stump left of my right ovary and Fallopian tube that were removed last year. There was a heart beat at the scan. I was 6 weeks pregnant and kept in hospital for 3 nights with a stomach drain following a laparoscopic surgery to repair the damage, control the bleed and remove the baby. I had no vaginal bleeding in hospital. Since returning home last night I had my first bowel movement and since then have had light bleeding since then. Given how seriously ill I was I just want to check this is to expected with lowering hormone levels. even though I had surgery to remove the baby will I still bleed? My hormones began to drop from nearly 8,000 to 1,900 in hospital and I am due back for another blood test on Sunday so I am hoping that this bleeding is a sign of the full hormone drop? The hospital care was amazing but going through all of this at a time of lockdown due to coronavirus has meant seeking advice via the normal routes slightly more challenging. I don’t want to over worry but I also don’t want to be in a life threatening situation again. Any advice or reassurance would be really welcome.

[EPT Host 22]

Hi carlenef,

I'm so sorry to hear that you've suffered an ectopic pregnancy and loss. Your surgery is still so recent, and it is incredibly important to look after yourself and allow time for yourself to heal both physically and emotionally.

The bleeding you may experience occurs after treatment is the body's response to falling hormone levels. Usually, the bleeding after treatment lasts about a week and the begins to diminish. Provided you are not soaking more than a pad an hour and you can manage the pain with over the counter pain relief then please try not to worry.

When you are completed with the painkillers from the hospital, you may take pain relief such as paracetamol. If the pain relief doesn't help, heavy bleeding occurs or you have an increased body temperature of more than 37°C, should seek to get medical attention as soon as possible. You may consider keeping a pain diary noting when you experience the pain and where, its intensity and anything that helps like rest or pain relief (paracetamol, etc.)

You've been through a lot, physically and emotionally, please take this time to look after yourself and to rest. We are here for you whenever you need.

With good wishes,



Michele


The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
Registered Charity Number: 1071811
Ectopic pregnancy patient information suite: Highly Commended in the 2019 BMA Patient Information Awards
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[carlenef]

Thanks so much for this response. I am continuing to rest and will go back to the early pregnancy unit tomorrow for blood tests to continue to monitor my hormone levels. It’s a lot to come to terms with but I’ve had amazing support and I’m sure I’ll get there