Pregnant and Scared of an Ectopic

Updated on November 26, 2007
J.S. asks from Springfield, MO
17 answers

I just found out over the weekend that I am pregnant. I haven't gotten into my doctor yet to find out the information I needed, and I am needing some help fast so I don't worry myself so much. Last year, I had an ectopic pregnancy, and lost the baby at 8 weeks. I am scared to death of that happening again. Does anyone know how far along you need to be for an ultrasound to be able to see the baby? Just knowing it's in the uterus would be enough to calm my nerves, but according to the place that I had my test done, I'm only 5 weeks. That's too long for me to wait without knowing and not go crazy. Any help/advice/info you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

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So What Happened?

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and advice. I had an ultrasound done and the baby is in my uterus, so I'm out of the woods with that part. They still can't determine yet exactly how far along I am (the initial estimate would put me at almost 7 weeks now, but the ultrasound guess based on size was between 4 and 5 weeks). The rest of the waiting will be pretty easy for me now knowing that I won't have a repeat ectopic. Thanks again everyone!

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L.J.

answers from Kansas City on

My wife also had an ectopic pregnacy. We were able to determine through low HCG levels and several ultrasounds at the 7th week that it was an ectopic pregnacy.

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B.P.

answers from St. Louis on

Call you doctor immediatly and tell him you are pregnant. Insist on the blood tests used to determine if your pregancy is ectopic again. Do not take no for an answer because you are at higher risk for a repeat ectopic and your health is at issue. This is a simple lab test! It will involve you going to the lab for 3 blood draws over the next few days. They can tell by the levels of homones and the rate they are increasing whether it is a viable pregancy. If it is ectopic, they can assist you before you run any risk of damage to your tubes.

Try not to worry! I had an etopic and then 2 healthy pregancies!!

Good luck.

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L.K.

answers from Springfield on

I think they can see now. How did they know are only 5 weeks? I thought they had to do an ultrasound to tell. I had an ultrasound in the doctor's office during my first visit. There wasn't much to see, but you could tell where the pregnancy was. If they did any type of ultrasound then the pregnancy must have been in the right place if they didn't say anything.
L.

L._.

answers from San Diego on

Congrats on the pregnancy and try and relax if you can. Woulddn't that be a little like lightning striking twice in the same spot?

I have had 3 miscarriages and I know how hard it is to be pregnant after a miscarriage. So of course, you will worry. But if it's at all possible just get in as soon as you can and then try and think positive.

Suzi

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C.P.

answers from Tulsa on

At 4 wks. they didn't see anything on my Ultrasound. Then at 6 weeks, I went back in and they saw everything. However, if you have an ectopic PG, then they should be able to see something wrong in the tubes. You know the chances of you having two are very slim to none. We have had two miscarriages and 1 stillborn. It's hard. We do have 3 children and the last PG was very stressful. We will pray for you and your baby. Good luck and let us know.

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E.R.

answers from St. Louis on

I am sure everything will be fine. In the grand scheme of things, and eptopic pergnancy is NOT the norm.
I had my first ultrasound at 10 weeks. So get to a doctor soon, and I am sure they can calm your fears.

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K.P.

answers from Joplin on

With a previous ectopic, you should call the OB as soon as you find out you are pg. They can start doing blood draws to make sure your beta levels are rising at an appropriate rate. When the levels reach 1500-2000 you should be able to see a sac in the uterus.
Ectopics are very serious and you can die from them if they rupture and you are not taken into surgery fast enough. The fact that you have had one increases your risk to have another one, which is why you need the careful monitoring.
I have had two living children since I had my ectopic back in Mar '00. Good luck to you.

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T.P.

answers from Oklahoma City on

ok well i had an ultra sound at 6weeks and they were able to tell if the baby was in the right place because i had a miscarriage right b4 this pregnancy and then i had another at 8weeks then i just had one tuesday at 17weeks we still don't know what the sex is the umbilical cord was in the way but anyways good luck on your pregnancy

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R.C.

answers from Bloomington on

You need to get in for an ultrasound and some blood work at your doctors office. They are able to see a sac at 5 weeks and can tell if it is in your uterus or tube, you will not be able to see a heartbeat that early but definitely a sac so that will give you some peace of mind. Until then....if you would have any type of abdominal pain on either side you need to call your doctor as that sometimes can be a sign of an ectopic. I would also hope your doctor ordered a quantative blood work and a progesterone level with your history. My doc had me repeat the quant 48 hours later from the first test and if that number doubles and goes up...that is a good sign that it is not an ectopic pregnancy. I am currently 10 weeks pregnant now and everything is going great!

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C.D.

answers from Springfield on

I had my first ultrasound at 5 weeks 2 days and they could see the pregnancy but not the heartbeat yet. With an ectopic all you need to do is see where the placement of the baby is, if it would set your mind at ease I say go ahead and schedule your first appointment, they should do an ultrasound to confirm the age of the pregnancy then.

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R.

answers from Oklahoma City on

At just a few weeks along my doctor was able to tell me my daughter was where she should be. She didn't even have a heart beat yet. At 6 weeks he did another ultra sound and we got to see the heart beat it was the whole baby. It was so cool. At five weeks they should be able to tell you where it is. It is the "dark spot"

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S.A.

answers from Wichita on

HI I dont really know what u r going through but I was only 2 weeks along with my oldest son and had to get a lapascope surgy done for the scare of the same thing if u r 5 weeks I am sure u would be cramping alot by now and as for how long till u r sure I dont know but if u look it up on the internet i sure u can find something to ease your mind. GOOD LUCK!

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D.B.

answers from St. Louis on

Jenn,

I know exactly what you are going through. I had an ectopic pregnancy years ago that actually ruptured my tube and I had to have it surgically removed. I had only gotten a positive result on a pregnancy test the day before the rupture after taking several over a couple of weeks. So of course when I got another positive pregnancy test a few years ago I was terrified. I didn't want to go through all that again and lose another baby and all chances of another normal conception. I got the positive result on a Friday so I couldn't even see my doctor until the following Monday. He got me in and did an ultra sound and didn't see the egg sack he was looking for. I continued to go to my doctor every couple days for about a week until he finally confirmed that the egg was in the uterus. Granted it was a terrible week and I worried a lot but I didn't tell anyone other than my husband and tried not to think I was pregnant until I knew everything was ok. At the point the ultra sound picked it up I was about 5 or 6 weeks along. I now have a vibrant 3 year old to thank for all my stressing :-) I wish you all the luck in this because I know it's not easy.

M.A.

answers from Kansas City on

Hi Jenn,

I lost a pregnancy as well but almost before I knew I was pregnant and they checked to make sure that there wasn't an ectopic preganancy at about 4 weeks, so you can do it now.
Ask your doctor about your concerns, they can do it! They can do a sonogramm or they can do a lab work, hormon levels tell them what's going on.
Wish you the best!
Mariana Abadie
www.MyKidsFirst.com

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R.U.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I had a suspected etopic with my last pregnancy. They did an ultrasound at 6w0d and we were able to see the little hearbeat! Best of luck on a healthy pregnancy.

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J.M.

answers from Kansas City on

Hi Jenn,

I had an ectopic pregnancy back in September of 2006. I got pregnant again in January 2007. I was able to get an ultrasound at 5 weeks to determine the egg sack was in the proper place. I know how scared you are b/c I was there too, but I gave birth to a healthy baby boy. I did go to the doctor a lot more b/c of the past pregnancy. If you have any other questions, please let me know.

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R.H.

answers from Kansas City on

You will definitely be able to see where the baby is at this point, but it's still very early so don't count on seeing a heartbeat. Usually that is detected starting anywhere between 6wks-8wks.

Congrats and Good Luck.

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