what to expect after ectopic??

[5preg2B]

I had surgery late saturday evening for an ectopic pregnancy..  This was my second m/c this year.  I don't know what to expect.  The dr took out my tube and pregnancy but I don't have any bleeding..  when will I start??  will I have severe cramping and how ling will it last??  I feel so alone as I write this.  I think it just hit me I lost another baby... the dr said I can try in three months..  I don't know if I can handle another loss..  This is the first I've cried since Saturday..  I expected to m/c as I was told I would..  so I thought I was prepared enough but how do I get through this...thanks for listening...

[Tinye13]

I am sorry for your loss. my best friend had an ectopic preg. that ruptured her tube about 6 or so years ago. She went off the pill the same time as i did this year (feb), her and her fiance got preg in July (around the time I m/c crazy huh?) Her preg is going well She is about 18 weeks preg now:) she didnt think she would be able to get preg easily. But she did. Just give your self time to rebound from this emotionally.

You know you can always count on us here.

Nadine

[scaredincanada]

I am sorry to hear of your loss. It is a definite hard thing to go thru, both physically and emotionally.
When I had my first ectopic in 2000, in which they removed my right tube as it was severely damaged, I was extremely bloated (tmi, but I would actualy fart as I walked down the hallway of the hospital, not funny then I can chuckle now finally), had extreme cramping for about a week or two, bled for a good 4 weeks post op, which included clots and a greyish matter.
Emotionally, I still haven't been able to get over it, as ironically as this sounds, but have also experienced a second tubal 6 years later to the exact month. I may be speaking on my own behalf, but I still feel that something is missing.
Physically, I was unable to have anything inserted into my area (including tampons) for a duration of 8-12 weeks post-op. And to refrain from work that entailed me to require lifting anything over 5 - 10 lbs for at least 6 weeks (I still rearranged my living room 4 days after I was released from the hospital. I need to keep busy)
In regards to this on the mental side, I found that if you can find a reason, any reason, to laugh or make someone else, in a sense it helps for you to recover, a bit. (That is why I include little notes in parenthesis, hoping you can once find your laugh).
I don't know if this answers your question, but I really hope that it helps. (PS. It gives a good reason for your man to REALLY take care of you, they best way he knows how, and THAT is important. Not being silly either)  ((HUGS)) and wish you all the best.

[Pippsquike]

So sorry to hear how things turned out.
Don't have any insight on ectopics....I had a "presumed" one in August...and got Metho. shot.

give yourself time to heal... physically and emotionally, and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

[justcurious2006]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I had eptopic 11 years ago and it 14 weeks before we found out. It was terrible, I had to have the tube removed as it had ruptured. I know how you feel, I know the feeling of being alone, trust me you are not alone in this. I didnt have any bleeding afterwards at all. I had some cramping and my cycle came back as normal within 2 months. I have since had two healthy prenancies and 1 other M/C I am currently pregnant with 3rd but only 5 weeks into it.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[foxy1220]

Well I had my laparotomy, that removed the baby and my right tube on a sunday around midnight, I didn't start painless bleeding until the following Saturday.  However the next day (Sunday, one week after the surgery) I had excruciating pain, that came in contractions (It felt like the pain you have when you are having a miscarriage), and that was to expel some grey matter that I believe was the placenta, after it was expelled I stopped having pain within 10 minutes.  Then I continued bleeding for another 5 days, the last two days was only spotting.

Hope this helps.

[foxy1220]

I fotgot to add that this was October 8th and I still haven't gotten af yet.

[Mikeal'smom]

Hi, I just wanted to say how sorry I am for what you have gone through.  I, too, just had a pregnancy loss to tubal, I also had to have the tube removed.  I can definately realte to not being prepared enough.  I was told that I would m/c, and I cried (this was my fourth loss) and when nothing happened a week later I called my doc back and he suggested a d&C- I spent another morning in tears, but after the d&C I felt it was finally over.  The day after the d&c my OB called to say that there was no products of conception in what was removed the day before, so I needed to have another blood test done and that the pregnancy was most likely in my tube.  The next day I had to go to the cancer ward of the local hospital and get the methotrexate shot, I spent that morning in tears- I could only think that instead of having a d&c to remove an non-viable pregnancy, I had to take a shot that would kill my baby that was in the wrong spot (even though I knew it never had a chance, you can't help but think it).  I ended up in the ER 2 days later, and 2 days after that I had the surgery to remove the pregnancy.  Honestly, I was just so glad to have it done and over with, I needed to heal.  I grieved my loss over and over again, it seemed never ending.  I just take it one day at a time, if I feel the need to cry- I do, if I feel angrey I let it come-but I don't let it consume me.  I have had 2 af's since my surgery, and have gotten the go ahead and try again.  I can honestly say that I am scared to death of seeing another positive pregnancy test, the thought of it makes me want to puke, but I can't help but hope that I will get to be a mother again- I just always wonder how many more losses I will have to endure.  I wish you the best of luck- and please know that I am thinking of you, and that you are not alone- (((((((((hugs))))))))

[5preg2B]

thanks to all of you for your support.  My husband and I decided to wait to make the decision about trying again.  He doesn't care we already have two together, one boy and one girl.  I feel and overwhelming need at 35 to have another baby.  now I have three 14,11, and almost 9.  yikes.  why???  I don't understand it and it doesn't make it any easier that i have the nursery all painted..  maybe the new year will bring better luck????

[hc96039]

I wanted to direct my question to scaredincanada.  I had emergency surgery for an e/p on 10/20/06, I was 8 weeks.  I felt really sore afterwards but OK mentally, then about a week after surgery I started having extreme discomfort in that region similar to what you stated (not being able to put anything in there).  Doctors have been stumped as to what is going on and tried several things, that haven't worked.  It has been three months and I am hating it, I just want my body to return to normal.  What was the cause of your discomfort and did it ever go away - please say YES!

[amanda8/13]

I just had my first tubal a few days ago I am bleeding and clotting but what hurts the most is knowing lost my baby and a part of me.I am so scared of getting pregnant again I read about the risks, I know them off the back of my hand I have been a emotional mess and since Im anemic I lost alot of blood during the surgery.The doctors said way more than half that I could have passed.I thank god i am alive but need some real education on what to expect.

[ciciwms]

First of all, it has been helpful to read every comment.  I just lost my 4th baby through ectopic (right tube) pregnancy on 8/16/07.  I am really happy for those of you who have tried again or at least have the chance to try again.  Unfortunately, I lost my left tube several years ago.  My only chance of conceiving now is IVF, which is very costly.  If anyone can direct me to some online couseling/help groups for coping with not having a baby at all, please let me know.  My email is: ***@****.

[healing2]

I had ectopic on Aug 30/07 could anyone let me know what I will expect after the laparoscopy? I am in pain right now. My right tube is saved, but I still have discharge and lower pelvic pain. Is this normal and how long will it last? When will my period come back? I also have some bruising from the surgery. Can anyone whom have gone thru this know what symptoms I will have, what things to eat and not to eat and. what activities I should or should not do? I am worried as the doctor in the hospital did not tell me anything about post surgery care.  

[[email protected]]

Im sorry to hear your news,i know how devasting it is.i to had an eptopic back in nov 2006,i was also one of the lucky ones and they managged to save my right tube.your right doctors dont seem to tell you about post surgery care.i got my periods back roughly 6 weeks later.you will have some discomfort for a while,but it will go.there is no right or wrong thing to eat.just take things easy.continue as normal with care.and dont be down hearted you wont get pregnant again.we had been trying for 8 years,then the eptopic.and we were told we wouldnt concieve naturally,however 8 months on,we just found out im pregnant,wow.im still getting used to it,i had scan check baby was in right place and it is.so give yourself time to heal,and it will happen,alot of people say after a lap it tends to clear tubes,i had lap and dye done after eptopic,right tube had scarring .was in pain for while.but it will pass,good luck in the future.

[silverfish]

hi all. i am a newbie here. i am here to seek for opinions and at the same time to seek some comfort. i had ectopic a month ago, 14/08 and my right tube has been removed. i almost lost my life, because my right tube burst and i was having mass internal bleeding. my gyne said that i almost didnt made it. now i wake up every day and thank God that im still alive. but the emotional pain is unbearable. this is my second m/c. i had blighted ovum the first in march and now ectopic in aug. i dont know wat to hope for anymore. i am so scared to try again. i kept thinkin about the possibilities of it happening again. but i want to try to be positive. is there really hope?

[pinkbear]

I feel for everyone out there!! This is my first eptopic pregnancy and i have been reading about it like crazy as i am very scared..I am about 7weeks and 5 days pregnant.The doctor wants to waita week and see if i miscarry..If not they will do surgery...I am so scared of the pain and if they take tubes out no matter what and if this efect me getting pregnante again...I wonder if i caught this early enough??

[nikki252]

WOW! What a great board this is! I had my right tube removed last Friday. It has been a week and I have no bleeding, but some eggwhite cm ( at least that's what it looks like) for the past two days. My stomach is horribly bruised and I am still in a lot of discomfort getting out of bed and sitting up for long periods of time. I am eating everything in the house though. :)  We both need to stay positive and know that things will be OK. Bless you and your family.

[nikki252]

Your feelings of being afraid are valid ones. An ectopic pregnancy is very serious. I myself was about 7.5 weeks into my pregnancy and I didn't even know it until I went to the ER the week before! My tue was ruptured and I had begun to bleed inside. I saw the pictures and it looked horrible even though I wasn't haveing any other symptoms other than bleeding from the 10th of January until that day, which was around February 1st. If  you indeed have a tubal pregnancy- there are only two ways of dealing with it from my understanding: one- by meds- if your tube is not ruptured or two- by surgery, if it has. I will be praying for you and each of the women here that I have read about- there is hope!

[she72]

I had surgery to remove my ectopic on feb 8th 2008 and they were able to leave my tube. The following Monday my numbers went way down so everything looked good. I went back the following Tuesday to check my HCG and I was oncerned because I still hadn't got my period and still had pg symptoms. Well my beta came back higher. So they didn't get all the pg tissue out during surgery and it started growing. I had to go in later that day for the metho shot. A few days later I was in the hospital with some hemorhaging and thought I might need another surgery to remove the tube. I stopped bleeding and my hemoglobin started stablisg. I was released and started bleeding the next day with horrible cramping for 2 days and passed lots of clots and chunks of tissue. It was horrible. I have had quite a bit of pain off and on and it has been almost 5 weeks since surgery. I go in tomorrow for another beta and hopefully it is under 5 and I can be don with the blood draws. I have been bleeding for 18 days an it is finally slowing down and turning brown. This has been such a horrible 2 months. I have also been dealing with infertillity for over 10 years. We have a daughter through ivf and this was a medicated cycle with follistim so it really is so hard to finally get pg and lose it!!

I am so sorry for everyone's loses they are all I heartbreaking!!

Xoxo
sheila

[Anya1984]

I am sorry for your loss...
I have a question , when ectoptic pregnancy occurs, do they always remove the tube? Can't they just remove the embryo and leave the tube?
How do doctors know if it is ectoptic?
Thanks!

[mommyluv02]

Hey there they can remove the fetus but most of the time the damage is so severe that leaving the tube could be dangerous if you were to get pregnant again from that tube the chances for another ectopic goes up considerably. Signs of an ectopic are HCG levels dont rise properly, one sided pain. bleeding, and other symptoms too but i cant remember all of them now. Hope this helps

[Anya1984]

Thanks!
Well, I believe that symptoms for pregnancy are also implantation bleeding, pain.....I just not sure how docs can find out early enough to get the fetus out without removing the tube.....?
I m not pregnant yet but I just want to know :)

[mim181]

I also had an ectopic Jan 08.  I had the surgery, but they did not remove the tube. My RE says it is damaged/won't function right but says there is a possiblility to repair later if needed.  We had been ttc for three years and were extatic.  We were 2 days till 8 week u/s when my tube ruptured.  RE did lap surgery to remove pg and D&C so I would not have much bleeding.  I had 2-3 days of light spotting and was down on the couch for a week. My HCG levels continued to be monitored until they reached under 5, two weeks later I started my period--it was about five weeks after the surgery. This disapointment and emptyness is difficult to surpass.  I know it is something I will never completely get past, but I know I do not want to give up hope for a child.  This month we are starting to try again.  Because of the damage, we are only doing IUI's when I ovulate from the left side.  I was very suprised we are able to try this month, I had IUI today and so the 2ww begins.  Despite the "slim" chance Re says of it happening again, I can't help but worry.  My heart goes out to everyone who has experinced this.

[hopeful48]

Just went thru this ordeal myself.  Only 5 weeks 2 dys pregnant and suffered from ectopic, after trying for 1 yr, 3mos and following an HSG/dye run through uterus and tubes in January this year.  Blood, urine, ultrasound and innervaginal u/s done.  As only 5 wks along, too soon to see any sign on u/s.  They will check your hcg levels and along with accompanying symptoms, run tests needed.  With me they did the laproscopy, went in thru bellybutton and lower abdomin, filled my belly with gas and found the fetus in the tube, my pain was severe and had not let up for 3 days.  Had to add another incission and remove fetus.  They did not remove my left tube although has extensive damage and may cause another ectopic - which makes me angry that it wasn't removed as we want to try again!  No sign of damage to the right side so I guess we have hope yet?!  The bleeding is heavy now with clotts, very frightening.  The post op care was not specific from anyone....just to report if anything out of the ordinary.  This has been the worst ride of my life, up, down, side to side.  The biggest emotional rollercoaster, my prayers and thoughts to all of you and loved ones on here, thanks for the support through the sharing of your stories......

[trinishelly]

how soon after an ectopic pregnancy can I resume sex?