Post ectopic pregnancy

[SydneyJ]

Hello, new here. Just wondering if anyone else had trouble conceiving after having a salpingectomy? And how long it took post surgery to conceive again? Im 36 and have only had one pregnancy in a year and a half of trying, it was unfortunately ectopic. Not sure if we should keep trying or go to our GP for a fertility test.

[Connie290]

I had a salpingectomy 18 months ago and am currently going through IVF. I think you'd be better seeing your GP, the waiting lists are so long for IVF it can't hurt to get started 😊 if you're fortunate to get pregnant in the meantime you can always cancel your appointments, plus it would probably help reassure you if they do tests and everything ends up fine 😊 Good luck x

[SydneyJ in reply to Connie290]

Thank you, good advice. I’ve made an appointment today. Thank you for sharing your own story.

[Esb27]

Sorry to hear that, hope you are doing okay mentally, it's tough going through that. I had one in 2019 with surgery to remove my right tube, it did take me 11 months to conceive again (after 3 months of rest, not included in the 11 months) but sadly it ended in a missed miscarriage. I conceived a month after that too but it was another ectopic, this time caught early enough to treat with meds so no surgery.

Obviously everyone is different but I don't see the harm in going to the GP and getting initial testing done (if you've never had any before) - you are an ideal candidate now that you've had the ectopic. Also you can see if your remaining tube is open or blocked with a HSG (the one you lost might have been blocked hence the reason for the ectopic!). Annoyingly my left tube was open and fine but I still did have the 2nd ectopic in there I think it's hard to pinpoint a reason for them other than a blockage/scarring in the tube or maybe a pelvic infection but I always think it's empowering (and potentially very useful) to find out about you and your partner's fertility on your ttc journey rather than being in the dark and assuming all is fine.

You can still keep trying whilst you wait for these tests too, and if it turns out you don't need them then great!! Good luck!

[SydneyJ in reply to Esb27]

Thank you so much for responding and sharing your own story. That sounds so tough. One was enough, going through it all multiple times must be very difficult. Hope you get lucky soon.

[Esb27 in reply to SydneyJ]

Thank you, much appreciated

[Bookbroad]

I’m sorry you’re going through this. If you are looking at an NHS funded cycle I just wanted to provide a word of warning that we were rejected from NHS funding because I’d had an ectopic in the last 2 years which counted as a conception and therefore we were not eligible. Annoyingly, we’d gone through months of waiting and our clinic sent off the request without really giving this much thought, we could have saved 6 months if someone had clarified this with us that we weren’t eligible before we’d bothered jumping through all the NHS funding hoops. I just mention it as I hoping this info will save you some time and provide better clarification for you. Hopefully your area is more flexible as it’s such a cruel rule! Best of luck to you.

[Bookbroad in reply to Bookbroad]

This is presuming you’re based in the UK

[SydneyJ]

This is really helpful thank you. Will look at other options as back up and won’t get my hopes up with the NHS rout. Thank you again. Hope you found a way.

[MiniMe23]

Hi, sorry for your experience. But I had a heterotrophic twin pregnancy in 2014. Resulting in multiple rupture and right side salpingectomy at 16 weeks as the ectopic had been missed. I conceived naturally again unexpectedly around 3 months later. With no initial issues or complications. Unfortunately I went into preterm labour and DC was stillborn at 30+ weeks the following year. Fell pregnant naturally again around 5 months later & DC was born the following year.

I had 2 other miscarriages following this and am now a year into my IVF journey due to male factor. Hope this gives you some hope as it is very possible. I like you was very worried with the prospect of only having one tube. And my body had been pushed to its limits

It won’t harm you to start the ball rolling with the gp. But you will be extremely fertile in the months following so I personally would still be trying naturally in the meantime maybe tracking ovulation as it can be slightly out of sync afterwards.

All the best whatever you decide xx

[Siothew12]

My sister in law had a salpingectomy due to ectopic pregnancy. She got pregnant naturally twice within 6 months of trying every time and had no problems and has two healthy kids. I also had one due to endometriosis but never got pregnant naturally anyway due to endometriosis and male factor as well. I’m currently 34 weeks pregnant through IVF. When I had my salpingectomy my consultant said the Fallopian tubes aren’t fixed, they’re like tentacles and move to the ovulating ovary to catch the egg so by having one removed, it doesn’t reduce your chances of conceiving that much. You’d think it’s 50% reduction but my consultant confirmed it’s no where near that as they move. Fingers crossed for you.