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Ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy

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goodtoknow says: Ectopic pregnancy can be a very frightening experience but the vast majority of women recover and go on to have healthy pregnancies. Ectopic means that an embryo is growing outside the womb, often in your fallopian tube, and can't survive. Many ectopic pregnancies fail naturally at around six weeks or earlier. You may not have even known you were pregnant, a late period and stomach pain may have been the only symptoms. However, the pain gets more severe the longer the ectopic pregnancy lasts. It's dangerous as your fallopian tube can rupture, so get medical help immediately.

For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of ectopic pregnancy from patient.co.uk, read on.

An ectopic pregnancy occurs in 1 in 80 pregnancies. Although many ectopic pregnancies are now treated without the need for an operation, you should always see a doctor urgently if you think you have an ectopic pregnancy. Symptoms are listed below but include lower abdominal pain which can become severe. A ruptured ectopic pregnancy is life threatening needing emergency surgery.

A pregnancy is ectopic when a it occurs outside the uterus (womb). Ectopic means 'misplaced'.

Understanding normal early pregnancy >

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Bex

9:58 AM on 15 September, 2010

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I just found out I'm pregnant today! Been trying for 2.5 years, had an ectopic last August and had to have right tube removed. Was so upset at the time, but I thought, onwards and upwards.. and we kept trying. I have just had bloods taken the last two months to check that everything is okay and there wasn't any specific reason I hadn't fallen again in over a year since the ectopic, but results all came back fine. So was going to call the doctor this week to find out what the next stage of tests would be to make sure there's nothing wrong and I can conceive! And hey presto, i was a couple of days late this week, did a test this morning and it's the clearest result i ever saw! 2 very dark lines :) I do know that there is an increased risk for ectopic once you've had one, but since last year I've heard so many stories of women having ectopics and going on to have healthy children with no problems so I'm trying to stay positive! Will call the doctors this week to organise the 6 weeks scan and will keep my fingers crossed till then! This will be our first child together so we are so happy... couldn't stop crying this morning when I got the result! I heard the power of the mind is imense so I'm keeping good thoughts in my head. It's so lovely to be able to read peoples stories, and lovely to be able to share news as we've decided to wait till I get to 12 weeks before we tell friends... so at the moment only our parents know. I will do another post after my 6 week scan to give you the good news that the baby has made it to the safe house LOL!

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erica

12:52 AM on 25 February, 2010

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Before i begin,i know my story will be judge. I only need help. Please! I have had 6 abortions. I was raped by my step father and all 6 of my babies was from him. My mother had allowed him to do so but never allowed me to carry my child. I was finally saved from them and have full support of my husband now. Besides my step dad,my husband is the only man i've been with. I found myself pregnant,this time with my husbands,we were very happy. But only to find out i had an etopic. My left tube removed. We never gave up trying,and i'm pregnant again but i'm bleeding and having cramps in my belly. Could this mean i'm losing my baby again?

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R0011

6:57 AM on 22 December, 2009

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Hello Everybody, I have Recently experienced having an ectopic pregnancy. I was trying to fall pregnant on purpose with my partner of three years, we had been trying for 4 months or so and I was wondering what was taking so long. so I got my normal period on the 3rd of october 2009 which lasts usually 4-5 days and I was trying extra hard to get pregnant that month all of a sudden november 1st came around which was when I was due again but no sign of my period...but I had no major signs of pregnancy although I was spotting everyday untill the morning on the 14th of november 2009 by that time my period was 2 weeks late.. I was laying in bed just about to get up out of bed.. as i felt this sharp daggering pain in my rectum like i needed to go to the tiolet (2) so i went nothing came out i felt so weird like really bad constipation pain unbearable! i went to go take a shower but suddenly i couldnt breathe!!! i started to panich!!!! i tried walking down to my parents room when every thing got dizzy i could barely walk!!! on top of that i couldnt breathe and my ears were blocked my mum jumped out of bed horrified she called my dad he came rushing in i almost blacked out but they layed me down on there bed suddenly i could breathe again and i wasnt dizzy but my stomach felt like some one was twisting it right around it was excrusiating pain!!! not to mention i was really hot and i felt so nauseated! & when i got up to walk it hurt sooooooooo bad to stretch my body out to stand straight to walk i didnt no what it was and the doctor was in holiday for 2 weeks i didnt think it was enough to go to the hospital because i thought it past... a week went by and i still had a very sore stomach i couldnt walk properly friday night 4:30 am on the 20th or november 2009 i had that same thing i had the saturday beforehand. so my partner thought enough is enough he took me to the doctors i was sure i wasnt pregnant because i had been spotting everyday plus i was bleeding extra heavily this day so i did a pregnancy test when the doctor said i was pregnant and i said how when i am bleeding right now really heavily... he replied that i might be having a misscarraige or the baby might not be in the uterus... i went quiet for 30 seconds then just broke out in traumatic tears!!! i went for my scan hoping that the baby would be okay in the uterus and it was something else wrong with me. but it turned out the baby had implanted itself in my right fallopian tube which had ruptured on the 14 th of november 2009 i was 7 weeks pregnant so i was immediatley rushed to the womens hospital because i had been walking around for a week with a ruptured fallopian tube and internally bleeding into my abdomen i had surgery at 10 pm on the 20th of november and woke up the next morning felt like a bus hit me... the baby is gone i thought... i didnt care about myself i just cared about the baby. the pictures they let me keep were gruesome!!! i was discharged that night and its taken me along time to get back to normal now im up and down sad then happy... mad then mader... i dont feel like having sex with my partner im just not interested theres no point now since i have the implanon. i feel like my dream has been taken away from me %20 chance of it happening again with another pregnancy im so scared i never want to go through that experience again so please dont ever take your pregnancy or baby for granted because there people out there that want it more then u but get it taken away from them. im glad to know that im not the only one who has been through this. and im sorry to all of you out there who have been through this painful traumatic situation. next time i try will be in 3-4 years time since im onkly 20 and i will be at the docters office every one 1-2 weeks checking on my progress i owe that to the one i lost. R.I.P little one and baby dust to you all.

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sarah bannerman

10:44 PM on 27 October, 2009

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Im jst getting over my 1st ectopic we had tried for 6 months for this baby got told i had Pco 3 weeks later found out i was pregnant. Found out 2 weeks after my period at hospital becasue i was feelin sick and gettin a slight pain on my right side 2 pregnancy tests later and it was confirmed i was pregnant i couldnt beleive it so took another test the next day positive. i went for a scan a week later because i didnt no how far on i was but there was nothing on the screen the midwife made out i was having a phantom pregnany so greifed for this baby i had loved instantly and got it into my head i wasent pregnant i was gutted crying for days. Was still getting symtoms tho so took and test and positve the line was very dark. So started gettin it in my head again that i was pregnant i was asked to get blood tests taking to see what was going on but unforunatly i started bleeding it was brown blood so got it in my head i was having a misscarriage got the results back from my blood tests and things werent good they had gone down so was confirmed i was having a misscarriage so griefed again i had to go back a few days later just to rule out ectopic never for 1 min thought it wud b. Got it done the hormone levels had gone up so got another scan done no baby there a few days later another blood test hormone levels had gone up again. So was told it was defo a ectopic and i was pregnant but the pregnancy wasent in my womb i was about 5 weeks and had the injection to bring on misscarriage waited a few days eventually the injection started working its just been over a week since i started bleeding still having to go up for blood tests untill they have gone down to 0 but the bleeding has nearly gone so im almost not pregnant anymore. Devasted my body is craving a baby and so am i going to try again next year. luckily i have a 20 month old little boy to keep me going. Sarah 20 x

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Natalja

5:53 PM on 11 September, 2009

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Hi, I am glad to read all these sroties and also optimistic views here. I just had an ectopic pregnancy this week, 5 days ago. I was pregnant of our first child, I'm almost 30. We were very thrilled with it, but I was a bit alarmed with the faintly positive preggo test and I felt faint pains in my stumach first but on monday they became sharp and at the right side of my stumach, a bit lower. I could still walk, but with a warm water bottle they didn't go away so I went to the doctor. I had only missed my period for about a week, so I was about 5 weeks pregenant. (We were over the moon with it and had already told everyone...) He comforted me and sayd that it COULD be an ectopic, but most probably not but that they had to rule it out and I needed some blood work done and an ultrasound. He made sure I got seen within an hour there and I was spotting some blood by that time and was very emotional and scared by then. The doc made time for me immediately and sayd with a very worried face that the womb was empty. Nothing in it. But there were things going on in my right tube and he was afraid of an ectopic. He said we needed to go immediateoly to the hospital, no delay, big rush, that he would call them and prepare them for our arival, that this was dangerous. I was very scared and sobbing at that time. I asked about the baby but he said that it would not survive, whatever was going to happen. In the hospital it still took some time before I was seen by the ob/gyn and he also said the womb was empty and there was blood in my right tube and also in my stumach area. I good bloodwork done and needed to stay in hospital. He couldn't see any foetus anywhere, so bloodtests were needed before he wanted to operate. The hCG hormone levels were very faint though, only 100 (ridiculously low for 4/5 weeks pregnant), which was another indicator for an ectopic pregnancy. But the good news was that I was in ni hurrie for an immediate surgery and they wanted to watch me in hospital and see if the blood would deminish or resolve by itself and my hCG levels would drop as well the next day. I didn't get any more information and was very confused about what was going on (what I write now is mostly in hinsight, knowing now what was going on) All I was told was to stay in bed, no more walking as it could rupture the tube and if I felt sick, started to bleed, get severe pains or cramps I shopuld press the red button next to my bed. No more eating or drinking for the possible operation. The next day it took a long time before I could see the doctor. He made another ultrasound and the blood was not getting more. The blood tests showed an decreasing number, from 100 to 70, so I could go home and return back immediately when I strated to feel very dizzy or like vomiting. The day after I had another check. There it appeared the blood was much less and my body is 'cleaning things up' by itself. But that was our baby in there as well! I keep thinking that it might have become a healthy baby if it were on the right place... The first 3 days I could do nothing but sib and feel very sad, but my hormones were dropping and it made me just very emotional. Now I'm feeling a bit better again. I've been reading a lot about and and know what happened now. We were adviced to just try for another baby once I've had one proper cycle again. I am scared that there is something wrong with my right tube and perhaps even the left one as well. We don't know now, the docs think it is best to try again to see. It might go through the left tube this time, or just have been bad luck. If it goes wrong the next time again, then they can do a surgery and have a good look at both tubes to see what is wrong and what can be repaired or taken out and what my chances are the next time. Our dream was shattered this week, no normal pregnancy, worries for the next one, on top of my many health issues in the past (rosacea, inflammatory bowel disease, just had skin cancer removed from my ear). But well, we keep good hope, especially after the positive stories here on the board!!! Thank you so much for them, they give us hope. We'll do anything to have better outcomes next time. Something I did notice were the faint pregnancy test, this cÃ¡n be a very early symptom, just as cramps and pains in the bowel in an early stage. I thought it was from the uteris expanding, but that was nonsense probably, as it was empty and shouldn't start doing that anyway with 4-6 weeks, when the foetus is sooooo small still. Good luck for everyone and keep believing!!!

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louise johns

4:39 AM on 13 June, 2009

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i have had 12 children and been pregnant 20 times ive had 3 children then a atopic right side removed ive got pregnant all these times of one tube and now i may have another atopic but im 42 and had my share so remmebr i had an atpic whilst i had the coil fitted and ive started the pill and again i may have so some times taking things causes problems theres hope yet

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Charlotte

2:07 PM on 13 October, 2008

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Hi, my period was about 5 weeks late and I kept getting period like pains so I was taking feminax painkillers, I was also feeling a little queasy at night time, my boobs were sore(same as before my period), metallic taste in my mouth and bloated tummy. There was a pain on the left side of my tummy that I put down to my bowels because it came and went and it also radiated into my groin and thigh and previous pregnancy tests had proved negative. After two weeks of one sided pain it started cramping across the whole front of my tummy and I was bleeding lightly(thought it was my period). Went to a and e and then was tested positive for pregancy, then they did a swab test for chlamydia, gonnorhea, and bacterial vaginosis. They also took around 5 different blood samples then admitted me to hospital. The next day the consultant came round to see me and did an external tummy scan and then an internal which was very unpleasant! after the internal scan I went to the toilet came out and felt really dizzy and collapsed on the floor which was very scary so they rushed me to theatre for a laparoscopy and they removed the ectopic and my left tube. When the consultant cae round to see me again she said that I was lucky it hadn't ruptured but my tube was so swollen and damaged that she had to remove it. She also said there was scarring on my tube which may have been the cause but there was no definite cause which annoyed me a bit. She said my right tube was very healthy though. after 3 days in hospital I was sent home and couldn't walk very well! I was very tender indeed but not in agony. I was just a bit miffed with the lack of support offered to me, they just sent me home and made a six week follow up appointment. Now im really scared of having another ectopic but would love to have a baby in the near future. Its another added worry in my life! Can anyone offer advice?

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sam

3:30 PM on 4 August, 2008

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ive now had 2 ectopic's and both have resulted in both tubes being removed. my 1st was back in jan 2006 and i had no idea i was pregnant, i suddenly started bleeding and thought i had come on but a week later (mainly due to me being lazy) i took myself to the doctors who advised me i had miscarried. she than booked me in for a scan 2 weeks later to check it wasnt an ectopic.So, off i went to my mum's house, she said that it wasnt right for me to be in so much pain and suggested i go to the hospital, but i took the doctors advice over hers and some how managed to drive back home 40 miles away, stupid i know. the next morning i crippled over in pain, the worst ever experienced in my life so i took myself to hospital were it was confirmed that it was an ectopic and that it had ruptured, the internal scans showed that i was almost 3 months pregnant and very lucky to be alive. i was rushed into surgery with no one there but me. it was very scary. Afterwards i was offered no councelling and it took a very long time to recover. for the next 2 years i was in and out of hospital with severe stomache pains, sometimes i couldnt even run as the pain would be much and this was over a year on, i thought it only took 6 weeks to heal, i went back to Gyneacology 4 times and they couldnt find anything wrong but i knew there was. i had another ectopic in may this year which resulted in my other tube being removed and the pain has only died down a little bit. Now i find that my period's are very very painful and also sex is quite painful aswell. Has anyone else had similar problems because at the moment i feel like i am the only one who still hasnt recovered and its almost been 3yrs.

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L'ster

12:41 PM on 4 August, 2008

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3 weeks ago I had my second ep in 6 months. First one was removed with right hand tube, second one they removed but left the tube behind. I have now been warned I have an over 50% chance of it happening again. I have not been lucky enough to have any kids yet and although in my early 30's, feel like time is running out. I'm going to be investigating IVF at the beginning of next year, as I'm too worried about taking a last chance with my left tube. The thing that drives me mad the most is that there is no logical or medical reason that they can tell me as to why it keeps happening!! I'm glad I've discovered this site, these forums provide a wonderful bright light when I fall into that long dark tunnel! My heart goes out to all those who have suffered this way and send you all hope for that much desired bundle of joy x

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Jacqui Lavell

9:18 AM on 9 June, 2008

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Hello, I had several miscarriages, then finally a beautiful baby boy followed by a pregnancy with placenta praevia in which I had to spend many weeks in hospital but my little girl was born full term and healthy (DOB July 2006). Last November suffered an ectopic pregnancy which was discovered early so removed without having to lose my tube which I thought was terrific. Unfortunately, am now sitting here recovering from a second ectopic in exactly the same spot. I was lucky in the sense that I was only a day or so away from it bursting, but because it happened in the same spot the doctor told me I would be best to actually remove that portion of the tube. I'm really depressed although I consider myself very fortunate that I at least have two beautiful healthy children. I'm 37 this year and this was to be my final try because I'm scared I'm getting too old and risks are increasing. The thing I find hardest to understand though is peoples attitudes sometimes. I get annoyed when people tell me that I'm silly for trying to have 3 children after what I've been through. Why should it be that people who've had bad luck shouldn't consider it their right to have more children if they wish it? I sometimes think that at least we.really appreciate what we have because of all the hard work to achieve it. Having another baby should be our choice and we shouldn't have to worry about people commenting "What were they thinking" on top of all the physical and mental suffering. They said my left tube looks good so there's no reason I should have another ectopic, though I have to wait 3 months before trying and obviously it's going to take a long time to conceive after that in which case I think I'll be past my use-by date. Unfortunately, if I get through all of that I then have to worry that I'll get placenta praevia again and all that that can entail. I pray I make the right decision. I don't want to have regrets in life. Thanks for letting me vent. Jacqui

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