memories33
New Member
I just had an ectopic pregnancy and I thought I should share with others who may be worried about an ectopic pregnancy.
The first tell-tale sign is we are unable to find the pregnancy sac in the uterus at 5 weeks plus till 6 weeks. The gynae told me he suspects an ectopic pregnancy although I really hope it wasn’t. I began scouring the net for information on ectopic and if there’s a possibility of not seeing the pregnancy sac. In my mind, I hope we are not seeing it because of a retroverted (tilted uterus) and also because of my adenomyosis and fibroids.
We went for several blood tests and ultrasound scans (every alternate day) to monitor the HCG levels and to scan for the sac but alas, there was no sac and the HCG levels continue to rise. For my case, my HCG levels did not double every 48 hrs but were quite substantial (about 45%- 61% every 2 days, started at 765). This is bad news cos it is growing but we don’t know where. As you may already know, an ectopic pregnancy is serious and becomes an emergency if the fallopian tube ruptures and can be dangerous to your health. I was disappointed that the ultrasound is not able to detect the sac in the tubes either (which I later found it’s possible for some cases to detect ectopic through ultrasound but not always). The uncertainty makes it very difficult for DH and I and to decide when the gynae asked us to consider the options of an injection (Methotrexate) or laparoscopy (key hole surgery) or to observe a while more (this happened at 6w2d from LMP). We are secretly hoping that everything could turn out well and we picked the option to wait and see and to come back and review at 6w6d. It was a roller coaster ride – one mind hoping for a surprise, the other trying to rationalize the pros and cons of injection vs laparoscopy. He told us my case is v strange cos HCG is so high (at 3625) but no signs of pregnancy nor pain. He warned us however that if I experience any abdominal pains on one side, I need to be admitted to any A&E immediately as it may mean the tube has already ruptured.
That night, I got ready some stuff to prepare myself if I need to go A&E (my glasses, some clothes, scarf etc.) Before I went back for my review, it hit me. On 6w3d morning (the very next day after we met the gynae), I had discomfort on my lower right abdomen, it felt like a dull, tugging mild cramp. After I had my bath, a series of symptoms surfaced- dizziness, faint spells, the mild cramps did not go away after 30-45mins, I start to notice I wasn’t standing very straight. I struggled if it was the normal pregnancy symptoms but DH and I knew something is wrong, we need to go back and see the gynae at TMC immediately.
At TMC, the ultrasound showed a bit of blood mass at the pouch of douglas. Gynae says he did not see it the last time he did the scan. He asked that we prepare for laparoscopy immediately (too late for injection). The next few hrs were just going through the motion and trying to calm myself down for the surgery.
I understand the anxiety and I hope to share what I could remember at the early stage of the ectopic pregnancy, based on my own experience…
Early signs (which may or may not be exclusive to ectopic)
• No pregnancy sac at 5w-6w
• Sudden loss of pregnancy symptoms at 5w plus (breast not as sore, no nausea, no constant bloating – the bloating only comes at night and goes away in the morning)
• Vaginal bleeding (mine started shortly after I tested positive, it was on and off, sometimes less and sometimes more). It started first with light brownish discharge, then more bleeding in brown, and then it became light red then eventually, very dark color.
• I only tested positive with a very very faint line at 5w, 2 negatives were tested at 4w. (not sure if this is relevant)
• HCG not doubling every 48 hrs (for my case, it was rising substantially but not doubling)
• Slight pulling sensation at one side of the lower abdomen 2 dqys before onset
• Had a bad cramp (feels like a bad menstrual cramp) 2 mornings before the onset when passing motion, broke into perspiration and felt dizzy and weak. However, the pain went away after 30 mins, without much bleeding
I hope those who had ectopic pregnancy before could also share on their experience/ early symptoms so that we could help others get more prepared and informed. If you experienced any of the above, pls also share.
The first tell-tale sign is we are unable to find the pregnancy sac in the uterus at 5 weeks plus till 6 weeks. The gynae told me he suspects an ectopic pregnancy although I really hope it wasn’t. I began scouring the net for information on ectopic and if there’s a possibility of not seeing the pregnancy sac. In my mind, I hope we are not seeing it because of a retroverted (tilted uterus) and also because of my adenomyosis and fibroids.
We went for several blood tests and ultrasound scans (every alternate day) to monitor the HCG levels and to scan for the sac but alas, there was no sac and the HCG levels continue to rise. For my case, my HCG levels did not double every 48 hrs but were quite substantial (about 45%- 61% every 2 days, started at 765). This is bad news cos it is growing but we don’t know where. As you may already know, an ectopic pregnancy is serious and becomes an emergency if the fallopian tube ruptures and can be dangerous to your health. I was disappointed that the ultrasound is not able to detect the sac in the tubes either (which I later found it’s possible for some cases to detect ectopic through ultrasound but not always). The uncertainty makes it very difficult for DH and I and to decide when the gynae asked us to consider the options of an injection (Methotrexate) or laparoscopy (key hole surgery) or to observe a while more (this happened at 6w2d from LMP). We are secretly hoping that everything could turn out well and we picked the option to wait and see and to come back and review at 6w6d. It was a roller coaster ride – one mind hoping for a surprise, the other trying to rationalize the pros and cons of injection vs laparoscopy. He told us my case is v strange cos HCG is so high (at 3625) but no signs of pregnancy nor pain. He warned us however that if I experience any abdominal pains on one side, I need to be admitted to any A&E immediately as it may mean the tube has already ruptured.
That night, I got ready some stuff to prepare myself if I need to go A&E (my glasses, some clothes, scarf etc.) Before I went back for my review, it hit me. On 6w3d morning (the very next day after we met the gynae), I had discomfort on my lower right abdomen, it felt like a dull, tugging mild cramp. After I had my bath, a series of symptoms surfaced- dizziness, faint spells, the mild cramps did not go away after 30-45mins, I start to notice I wasn’t standing very straight. I struggled if it was the normal pregnancy symptoms but DH and I knew something is wrong, we need to go back and see the gynae at TMC immediately.
At TMC, the ultrasound showed a bit of blood mass at the pouch of douglas. Gynae says he did not see it the last time he did the scan. He asked that we prepare for laparoscopy immediately (too late for injection). The next few hrs were just going through the motion and trying to calm myself down for the surgery.
I understand the anxiety and I hope to share what I could remember at the early stage of the ectopic pregnancy, based on my own experience…
Early signs (which may or may not be exclusive to ectopic)
• No pregnancy sac at 5w-6w
• Sudden loss of pregnancy symptoms at 5w plus (breast not as sore, no nausea, no constant bloating – the bloating only comes at night and goes away in the morning)
• Vaginal bleeding (mine started shortly after I tested positive, it was on and off, sometimes less and sometimes more). It started first with light brownish discharge, then more bleeding in brown, and then it became light red then eventually, very dark color.
• I only tested positive with a very very faint line at 5w, 2 negatives were tested at 4w. (not sure if this is relevant)
• HCG not doubling every 48 hrs (for my case, it was rising substantially but not doubling)
• Slight pulling sensation at one side of the lower abdomen 2 dqys before onset
• Had a bad cramp (feels like a bad menstrual cramp) 2 mornings before the onset when passing motion, broke into perspiration and felt dizzy and weak. However, the pain went away after 30 mins, without much bleeding
I hope those who had ectopic pregnancy before could also share on their experience/ early symptoms so that we could help others get more prepared and informed. If you experienced any of the above, pls also share.
keep believing in miracles
