By registering on our forum, you can view and contribute to more topics on ectopic pregnancy. Your details are confidential and we do not send unsolicited emails. For your confidentiality, you can choose your own forum name to protect your anonymity if you so wish. If you register, there is no obligation to post; you can simply take comfort from the words of others. It is entirely up to you whether you post a message or read others' experiences or do both.
Trying again
Trying again
We found out we were pregnant on the 1st December 2016 with our 2nd child. But unfortunately that only lasted until the 6th as I became extremely unwell quite suddenly and was told to go to a & e. Once there they mentioned ectopic but you never think it will happen to you so I didn't think too much into that diagnosis!
Upon returning the next day for scans and blood tests we were told it was almost definitely ectopic and they would start methotrexate as my HCG levels were not healthy (they went from 399-798 in a week!)
1st dose didn't really do anything so I was given a 2nd dose just before Christmas!
On December 27th I was told they'd see me January 1st which by then they were dropping and were back to 399 (was always similar numbers to previous) January 2nd they said they'd dropped to 299 and would see me in 1 week! But that didn't happen, that night the pain came back with avengence. Rushed to a & e at 10.30pm and was in theatre 3.30am Tuesday 3rd January for a salpingectomy through my previous c-section incision where they found the pregnancy on my stomach which is what had been causing me all the pain. I'm now 13 days post surgery and feeling "OK" but I'm Scared at the thought of trying again because if that goes wrong Iv not got another chance!
Dr's have said wait 3 months which will be May but my periods are very very irregular (but I'm very fertile) should I wait for 3 periods or wait for the 3 months to try?
Thanks in advance xx
-
- Posts: 3175
- Joined: Thu May 31, 2012 10:58 pm
Re: Trying again
I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and loss.
While there is no clear, researched evidence on how long a woman should wait to try to conceive after having treatment for ectopic pregnancy, we and other medical professionals advise you wait for at least three months or two full menstrual cycles (periods) before trying to conceive for both physical and emotional reasons.
You have also had methotraxate injections so we would recommend taking a folic acid supplement for 12 weeks before you try to conceive. This is because the Methotrexate may have reduced the level of folate in your body which is needed to ensure a baby develops healthily. The Methotrexate is metabolised quickly but it can affect the quality of your cells, including those of your eggs and the quality of your blood for up to three months after it has been given. The medicine can also affect the way your liver works and so you need to give your body time to recover properly before a new pregnancy is considered. A shortage of folate could result in a greater chance of a baby having a neural tube defect such as hare lip, cleft palate, or even spina bifida or other NT defects. This is why the "wait" and then taking folic acid for 12 weeks before trying to conceive is so important.
Please continue to use the forums for information and support as long as you need,
Sending much love,
Karen x
**********************************************************************************************
If we have been able to help you, are you able to help us with a small donation or by volunteering?
Further information is available at www.ectopic.org.uk
Email us at ept@ectopic.org.uk.
Our helpline is 020 7733 2653 (available Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm).
Detailed medical information can be found on our website. Please remember online medical information is NO SUBSTITUTE for expert medical advice from your own health care team.
**********************************************************************************************