Etopic Pregnancy

Carrie,
I absolutely feel for you. My first pregnancy was ectopic and I know how scary that is. To answer someone else's question, ectopic pregnancy, if caught early enough, can be treated with a single injection of methotrexate, a chemotherapy drug commonly used for treating things like cancer or rheumatoid arthritis. I received an injection of methotrexate, but my doctor failed to calculate the date of conception correctly. I didn't know this at the time, but methotrexate should NOT be given if you are beyond a few weeks of pregnancy. My tube ruptured and I ended up having to have emergency surgery and lost over 3/4 of the blood in my body by the time it was all said and done. The good news for us is that we found a superb doctor that we could trust and were able to conceive within one year (almost to the day) a beautiful, healthy baby girl. I can remember taking that initial pregnancy test and not being overjoyed with excitement, but being scared to death. My husband felt the same way. I don't know if it is paranoia or not, but I know that with every twinge, cramp, or pain of any sort I was terrified that I was going through it all over again. People who have not gone through this before, often don't realize how difficult it is emotionally not only to lose a precious baby, but to have your own life on the line. Having said all that, I think it is imperative that you go see your doctor right away. TODAY if possible! With your history, I am certain they will want to do an ultrasound, as well as blood work, to confirm the pregnancy and to confirm that everything is where it should be. Hang in there and please feel free to contact me if you need someone to talk to!

1 mom found this helpful

My husband and I tried to get pregnant for years and then we finally did. This pregnancy was an etopic pregnancy which we did not know about until my tube exploded. It was especially traumatic - unfortunately, I did get pregnant again a few months later which resulted in a miscarriage. Third times a charm and we had a beatiful boy. A two years and another beatiful boy. The doctors told me that the etopic pregnancy was the result of my progestrone being low and they kept me on progestrone during my last two pregnancies. I was paranoid through all my pregnancies and my only advice is find a great doctor, trust that if it is meant to be it will, and be a great mother.

I too have suffered an etopic pregnancy. But I did not know I was pregnant until it ruptured and I was bleeding. Unfortunately I had to have surgery, lost my tube and had a blood transfusion. This was the third pregnancy that I lost. But 7 months later I became pregnant with my now 22 month old beautiful daughter. My two miscarriages were before my son was born, he is now 5. I think my ectopic was harder because I had a child and I could put a face to that baby. A word of advice, contact you doctor since you have had an ectopic they should do an ultrasound to verify that it is not ectopic. Early on in my pregnancy with my daughter I had an ultrasound to make sure it was not in the tube, I was only 5 1/2 weeks but knowing that everything was ok made a huge difference.

Hello J. L

I had my tubes tied in 1992 after the birth of my 4th child. In 1995 I had an etopic pregnancy. I had surgery and most of my right tube was removed. Got pregnant again with a daughter in 1996 and again in 1997. Now I have six wonderful children. Please stay under your doctor's care to make sure you're okay.
R.

Good morning J.. I would make an appointment right away to satisfy you need to know. Your doctor can run tests to see if you are indeed pregnant and if it is another etopic pregnancy. You were fortunate that you didn't have to have the surgery. See the doctor to avoid any damage to the tubes if you are pregnant. Good luck and let us know the results of the visit.

L.

I can understand being worried. My sister had an ectopic pregnancy, and is worried that the scarring could cause future problems. (Even though our mom had three normal pregnancies after an ectopic).

In your shoes I'd talk to my pcp or ob. Hopefully the pressure you feel is nothing to worry about, or an ovarian cyst. However your doc could run a quantitative hCG blood test to help screen for an ectopic pregnancy.

My first pregnancy was ectopic. Ask your Dr. how early s/he should be able to see something on a sono and get an appointment for that week. I believe it's as early as 6 weeks. Good luck!

I have been through an ectopic pregnancy and had a healthy pregnancy within a year afterwards. I definately had a fear of not being able to get pregnant again, and when i did get pregnant, I immediately had those feelings as if it were happening all over again. Once your doctor knows of your history, he/she should want to monitor you closely, which is what they did for me. I had actually lost a fallopian tube with my ectopic, so making sure that the next egg was in the right spot was very important.
I would recommend you ask your doctor for an early sonogram to help relieve your fears.

Good luck!

I have not gone through an etopic pregnancy, but I struggled with infertility and did IVF to get pregnant. Because of this, I had several sonograms throughout the pregnancy. You should be able to have one as early as 4 weeks - you will not see a heartbeat, but they will see the egg sac. This will tell them where the implantation occurred and if it is developing normally.

When you have lost a pregnancy or have trouble concieving, you look for any sign good or bad. Try to relax and call your ob/gyn. Let them know you think you are pregnant. Based on your history, I am sure they will want to see you immediately for a sonogram.

I wish you the best of luck.

Carrie, I'm so sorry for your loss. I have gone through two ectopic pregnancies, so I do understand. But perhaps things have changed in the 12 years since then, because I NEVER had any choice but surgery when this happened to me. Just curious how they saved your life without surgery? (The first time - my first pregnancy - my fallopian tube ruptured, so emergency major surgery was required before I died from internal hemorrhaging! That was when I was a missionary in a third world country. Back in the States, I just had laparoscopic surgery the second time, when they caught it early on.) Just fyi, I have five beautiful, healthy children now, all from one working tube! :)

My advice is to first take a pregnancy test, of course, and if it is positive, go to your OB immediately to get an early ultrasound. This is what I had to do every time I became pregnant, because of my history of ectopic pregnancies. It simply has to be looked at as quickly as possible once you know you're pregnant. I know the anxiety you feel, but in all likelihood, everything is just fine. No need to wait ~ you can find out within a day or two (if your OB is worth his or her salt) what is going on so you can rest assured.

God bless,
W.

I am so sorry about your last pregnancy. I haven't been through it myself, because I have only been prego once! But, can you go to the doctor to confirm that it is not an etopic pregnancy this time? Because you went through it, some peace of mind might be a good thing. If there isn't a way to confirm at this time, then just rest, eat right, and enjoy the thought of being pregnant, and go to the Dr. as soon as you can. Everything will be O.K. If you have any concerns, just call the Dr. right away, I think you will get priority treatment. Getting stressed isn't a good idea for you or baby, so do your best to relax:) I believe that these things are rare and I am so happy for you that you didn't have to have surgery. Congratulations in advance if you are preggers and best wishes!

Dear Carrie,
I have not gone through an ectopic pregnancy, but I have gone through fear, as most of us do. However, as hard is it is, try your best to take your thoughts captive and hope for good things. ("Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" Hebrews 11:1) . You do need to contact your OBGYN so you can have your routine obstetrical panel, quantitative hcg. and progesterone levels. I would do this before your initial visit. In addition to that, it depends how far along you are in your pregnancy before they can do an ultrasound. If you're very early in your pregnancy, you could be experiencing implantation and sometimes even a cyst on the ovary, which is not a bad thing. They do resolve. However, the blood work would be my first suggestion for you if you are between 4 to 6 wks. Any how, like I mention above, I think we all go through different fears that we don't want to happen again. But, I want to encourage you as best as you can, to take one day at a time and let God do the rest. Praying your mind will be at peace and your plans will succeed! Wow, how cool, I was looking up this scripture for you and I came across a song with the lyrics below: God Wows me!
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10 Be Encouraged!
Bridge

My God knows the finish, it's guaranteed

With joy, He paid the price!

I know that my God's plans will succeed

It all will turn out right,

there's an end to the night.

I'll live with ..

It’s your joy O Lord that’s my strength.

Why are you wasting time asking for advice. You should go straight to a Doctor. Hope all is all right and good luck.

I would say to do a home pregnancy test. If is positive, call your OB and get in as quickly as possible. I know this is very scary with a history of an ectopic. Your doctor will probably do an ultrasound due to your history of having an ectopic. I do ultrasound, so here's a quick lesson. When you ovulate, a follicle (small cyst) on your ovary ruptures to release the egg. In it's place, becomes a corpus luteum cyst that can remain until the end of 1st trimester. I guess what I'm trying to say is, the pain could be very normal. A little pressure and twinges could be normal. Severe pain is not normal. If your pain is severe, doubling you over, get to the nearest Emergency Room. Before getting overly concerned, though, I would do a home pregnancy test.
Good luck!!
K.