I had heard the words ectopic pregnancy a few times but never truly understood the meaning until I was having ‘the chat’ with the nurse about what they suspected I was going through.
In May 2024 I had a positive test, my partner and I were so happy to see those two lines. Unfortunately, a week later I began to spot (light bleeding). I wasn’t overly concerned as this happened with my little boy. But as the days progressed the bleeding became worse, and abdominal cramping pain began. I visited the hospital and was seen by the early pregnancy unit who told me the pregnancy test they performed was negative, even though the one I did at home was positive. They said it was a missed miscarriage and they couldn’t do a scan due to me being only around 5 weeks. Due to my abdomen not being painful to touch I was sent home.
Two weeks later I was still bleeding and producing positive home pregnancy tests. I rang the early pregnancy unit back and they asked me to go in for a scan straight away. They did an ultrasound and transvaginal scan and saw no sign of pregnancy in my uterus but lots of free fluid. I also had a blood test and was told to return in 48 hours for repeat tests. The next day my bleeding became heavier, and I had stabbing pains in my right side that would come and go so I went back to the hospital and was admitted straight away.
Another scan showed the pregnancy in my right Fallopian tube. Due to my pregnancy hormone levels being low and pain coming and going they did advise the medical management treatment. Another consultant disagreed, thankfully, as when I went down to surgery my Fallopian tube had already ruptured despite me showing no serious pain.
I was handed leaflets from The EPT and sat reading stories of other people, trying to make sense of the situation. I’m grateful that I had a place to turn but I think it’s still so sad how much of a taboo subject pregnancy loss is. I now live for the what ifs and wonder what will happen next. The anxiety of trying again; I pray that things turn out ok.
Thank you to Rachel for sharing her experience. If you would like to share your experience of ectopic pregnancy, please visit our guide for more information.
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