In late February, I found out I was pregnant. I had a very faint positive test, and just a few days later, I began what I believed was the start of a very early miscarriage. A week passed, and I still didn’t feel right. I was absolutely exhausted and had high blood pressure. The doctors believed this was due to the miscarriage.
Another week later, in early March, I experienced light bleeding again. I was also having cramps, pelvic pressure, and needing to urinate more frequently than usual. These symptoms made me feel uneasy. I knew something wasn’t right. That gut feeling led me to take another pregnancy test. I had no idea that this decision would end up saving my life.
The test came up very clearly positive, and I went straight to the hospital emergency department. There, they confirmed that I was still pregnant. A few days later, I went for a scan, and what followed felt like a complete blur. I was in complete shock and devastated to be told that I was having a rare twin ectopic pregnancy, with both embryos growing in my left Fallopian tube. It felt like someone had taken the air from me.
I was terrified at the thought of surgery. I’d never had surgery before, and I barely had time to process what was happening. Everything moved so quickly. One moment I was lying in the scanning room, and the next, I was being prepped for emergency surgery in the room next door. What many people don’t realise is that ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency – and in my case, the timing of surgery was critical. It saved my life.
I had surgery to remove my left Fallopian tube and spent a few days in hospital. I’m now recovering well, although the journey to get here hasn’t been easy. Mentally, it has been an uphill challenge. From the outside, life appears to return to normal. But we carry the experience with us quietly, constantly, and often unseen. Sometimes, this journey can feel incredibly lonely and isolating. Reaching out to others who have walked a similar path can help us feel less alone and support the healing process. I’ve found so much comfort in sharing my story and connecting with others who have also experienced this kind of loss.
What I wish more people knew about ectopic pregnancy...
I wish more people understood just how important it is to listen to your body. If something doesn’t feel right, we have to advocate for ourselves and trust our instincts, because that’s what saved my life.
Ectopic pregnancy is not just a difficult or emotional experience. It is a medical emergency that can unfold suddenly, without warning. In my case, the timing of surgery was critical. Everything happened so fast, and had it not been caught when it was, the outcome could have been very different.
Recovery isn’t just about healing physically. It’s emotional, hormonal, and deeply personal. There’s fear, confusion, and grief that can’t always be seen. You carry it quietly, and it can take time to feel like yourself again.
Recovery isn’t linear, and for most, it can look incredibly different. Be patient, be kind and gentle with yourself, and most importantly, allow yourself the space to grieve and to heal.
Ectopic pregnancy has changed my life and my perspective. It has taken so much, but it has also helped me discover a strength and resilience I didn’t know I had.
I am not just a statistic. And our twins were not just a statistic either.
They were part of our beginning, and they will forever be part of our story.
Thank you to Jenny for sharing her experience with us for Ectopic Pregnancy Awareness Day. If you would like to share your experience of ectopic pregnancy, please visit our guide for more information.
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