This is my story…
In 2010 I had my first ectopic pregnancy after struggling with fertility for years. I was 6 weeks pregnant. One morning, I had a few cramping pains but was able to continue my day. After speaking to a friend, she told me to call my GP (General Practitioner), who suggested going up to the hospital for a scan to check everything was okay, unfortunately, that’s when I found out it was an ectopic pregnancy.
I was scheduled for surgery and the baby was removed before it ruptured. It absolutely took me off my feet. It was never spoken about with my partner at the time, and I felt like I dealt with it all on my own. I sank into a massive depression. I wasn’t offered any help or support from any medical professional. Just given leaflets the day I left the hospital – there were no follow-up appointments, no check-ups… just sent home.
Just over a year later, I was sent for a scan and was told the ectopic pregnancy had damaged my Fallopian tube and the other Fallopian tube was full of fluid. So the likelihood of falling pregnant again was extremely low. Again, sent home with no offer of support.
In 2012, by some miracle, I found out I had become pregnant again. When I got to 7 weeks and 1 day, I suddenly had a pain I had never felt before. The worst pain I have ever experienced! I managed to get to the hospital and was taken to the emergency department and given paracetamol and codeine for the pain – this didn’t touch the pain. Then, all of a sudden, I let out a scream in so much pain, I knew at that moment my Fallopian tube had ruptured. I was taken to a ward and about 4 hours later was sent for a scan. The screen just showed internal bleeding where my Fallopian tube had indeed ruptured.
I was told I needed emergency surgery and they would have to remove the baby and the ruptured Fallopian tube. I was in surgery for 4 hours. When I woke, the nurse told me that unfortunately they had to take both Fallopian tubes as they were both badly damaged. My chances of becoming pregnant again were taken away from me without my consent. My life at this point changed completely.
The emotions you experience are like no other. Feeling like a failure as a woman is something I’ve struggled with for years…
I am 1 in 80
In memory of my two angel babies,
Kacey-Jaye and Joseph
Thank you to Kerry for sharing her experience 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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