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First period after expectant management?
First period after expectant management?
Thanks
Lolly x
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- Joined: Thu May 31, 2012 10:58 pm
Re: First period after expectant management?
I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and loss,
To answer your question, the first bleed that occurs after ectopic pregnancy is not classed as a period. It is the body's response to falling hormone levels because you are sadly no longer pregnant. This process involves vaginal bleeding - it can be clotty or like one of your usual periods and some women have bleeding/spotting for up to six weeks. Most women find that their period arrived around four weeks after their hCG levels have fallen to 0.
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. This first bleed soon after ectopic pregnancy is not classed as a period as it is the body's response to falling hormone levels.
Sending much love,
Karen x
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Re: First period after expectant management?
I just wanted to post a reply as it sounds as if you are going through something similar to what I have just been through. I was diagnosed with an ectopic back in late September/ October. My levels finally came back down at the beginning of November after 6 weeks of bleeding and blood tests. On the day they rang me to tell me my levels were back to normal (I had stopped bleeding by this point) I then started to bleed again with what looked like a period but lasted 12 days. I assume this was a result of the falling hormones. A normal cycle later with a positive ovulation test, I had a normal period and have since had normal cycles. I was amazed how quickly my body bounced back in to normal cycles, a womens body is an incredible thing! Hope all goes well for you in the future!