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Positive pregnancy test 5 weeks post op

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Raffles_89
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Oct 28, 2020 1:33 pm

Positive pregnancy test 5 weeks post op

Post by Raffles_89 »

Hello,

Just wondering if anyone has any advice or help?

I’m 5 weeks post keyhole operation for EP and had my left tube removed. This was after two miscarriages. I was instructed to take a pregnancy test 3 weeks after surgery. This came back positive. I therefore rang the EPU and went in. They gave me a pregnancy test and examined my urine only. They told me it was negative and I got so embarrassed and I really felt like I had wasted their time.

Since then, I took another for my own piece of mind and have been doing them daily. All my tests have come back positive. I wondered if anyone else has had this? I have been using the early response tests so am maybe thinking that they are overly sensitive? The lines have also been getting fainter. Feel so so sad seeing it- like I’m losing something again. My partner and I have had unprotected sex since the operation; part of me so wants to believe I’m properly pregnant again but my rational brain is telling me I can’t be. Feel like I have no one to talk to and am going mad.
xxxxxx

Ks210
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon Oct 26, 2020 6:34 pm

Re: Positive pregnancy test 5 weeks post op

Post by Ks210 »

That sounds really difficult, I'm sorry you're going through this. I think the pregnancy tests they use at hospital are not very sensitive - when I first went in I'd had 3 positive tests yet they told me the test they did was so faint it looked like a negative. They took bloods and my hcg was low (just 72). hcg went up steadily over a couple of weeks before I was finally diagnosed with an ectopic.
If you feel well and can stand the wait, I'd probably test again but maybe in a week rather than every day? Or ask for a blood hcg test to put your mind at ease. I hope it all works out and that it's just taking some time to drop following your surgery. X

EPT Host 20
Posts: 3155
Joined: Thu May 31, 2012 10:58 pm

Re: Positive pregnancy test 5 weeks post op

Post by EPT Host 20 »

Dear Raffles_89,
I'm so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and loss,
Following ectopic pregnancy, it can take a few weeks for hCG levels to fall to non pregnant levels, which may explain your positive pregnancy tests.
Your surgery was just over a month ago and it maybe possible that blood tests are still showing hCG from ectopic pregnancy. However, before having a period you have to ovulate and it is possible to become pregnant without having a proper period first, if you are not using contraception. It is therefore possible that you are you could become pregnant if you have been having unprotected intercourse.
I would advise testing weekly and if the levels are still showing positive in 2 weeks to speak to your medical team.
Sadly I do have to remind you to seek urgent medical advice with any unusual bleeding, abdominal pain, should tip pain or you feel dizzy and unwell.

As a gentle reminder, we and many doctors advise waiting at least two menstrual cycles before trying to conceive to allow time for your body to heal and emotions to surface. The wait is also so that you have some comfort that your body is returning to its natural rhythm and you have a last menstrual period date from which to date a new pregnancy - key information in checking you are not suffering from an ectopic pregnancy in the future. The first bleed soon after surgery for ectopic pregnancy is not classed as a period as it is the body's response to falling hormone levels.

Sending much love,
Karen x

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Raffles_89
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Oct 28, 2020 1:33 pm

Re: Positive pregnancy test 5 weeks post op

Post by Raffles_89 »

Thanks so much Ks210 for your reply I really appreciated it. Been for a blood test and only had HCG of 13 and have been basically told it will be the falling levels of hormones. It’s all such an underfunded part of medicine with not enough extensive research. Just feel deflated now. Xxx

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