I found out I was pregnant with our first baby whilst on the first day of our honeymoon. I was overjoyed but told myself not to get excited yet as anything could happen. Just before we were due to travel back home, I started spotting. Sheer panic came over me as I automatically thought I was miscarrying. As soon as we were back, I phoned to 111 who told me to go to A&E.
I sat for 5 hours in A&E, the early pregnancy unit was closed, and the gynaecologist wouldn’t see me as I ‘wasn’t far enough along’ (5 weeks 5 days). So the nurse, who admitted it wasn’t his speciality, told me not to worry and if it got worse, to go back.
Three days passed and I was still spotting so I called the EPU myself and they booked me an appointment for a scan for in three days’ time. The scan revealed that I had an ectopic in my right tube, quite close to my ovary. I had blood tests and as my hCG hormones were already quite high, I had to go in for surgery rather than methotrexate, I was told methotrexate wouldn’t work, and thought this would be more traumatic for me, personally. I was booked in for surgery the next morning but could go home in the meantime. That night I made myself sick with worry and was absolutely broken hearted and petrified at the same time.
They operated to remove my right fallopian tube and said the surgery went well. I am now two weeks post- surgery and my physical recovery is going well. Emotionally, I am finding it extremely difficult with the whole range of emotions, but the bereavement nurse at the hospital and support from the EPT has been amazing. I am so scared about the future but have taken comfort from speaking to others like me and reading other people’s positive stories. I am hoping to do some fundraising for the EPT as well as raise awareness.
Thank you to Abbie for sharing her experience with us. If you would like to share your experience of ectopic pregnancy, please visit our guide for more information.
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