Possible ectopic - looking for positivity

[Ltry]

Hi all

I had a suprise natural BFP last week (trying for a sibling after son from FET in 2023). I had a MMC in 2022 and was feeling anxious and had a little brown spotting on Sunday so went to the GP who referred me to the EPU today. They scanned me and couldn't find a pregnancy in my uterus but found a 'mass' in my left tube and told me it looked like an ectopic. I had to have bloods and wait to see the consultant. I was obviously devastated and spent the wait crying. Then the nurse came back and said my HCG was 719 and progesterone 60 (which were both apparently in the normal range) and the consultant had reviewed the images and said the mass could be a cyst and it might just be too early to see the pregnancy. I estimate I am around 5 weeks. I now have to go back on Friday for repeat bloods and maybe a rescan next week. They gave me a leaflet on ectopic and it said one of the symptoms is diarrhea which I had on Monday night and been not great stomach wise since.

I just don't know what to think. I don't want to get my hopes up if it's not going to work out so looking for anyone with similar stories please.

[Millbanks]

Hi lovely,

So sorry you're experiencing this. What kind of scan did they do? Was it internal?

If it was an external scan then it is likely they wouldn't be able to see much - if it was internal they should be able to see the sac / yolk at this stage (if you are 5 weeks).

However, as it was a natural pregnancy your dates could easily be out and a few days here and there make a massive difference to the size at this stage (they are dealing with points of a mm) There is every chance it is just a bit too early.

I've seen lots of people on here go for a viability scan at 6 weeks only to be told there is no heartbeat, and literally 3 days later there it is - you're dealing with such small margins at this point there is every hope xx

[Ltry in reply to Millbanks]

Thanks for replying. It was an internal scan. I was tracking ovulation because we were actively trying (actually going to call the clinic to arrange another FET next month as had no luck so far) but you're right I still don't know exactly when I ovulated or when it fertilsed, implanted etc. She said they wouldn't expect to see anything on a scan until HCG is over 1000.

[Millbanks in reply to Ltry]

If you try and equate it to an FET - my HCG on day 10 (for my successful round) was 237 (that would be technically 4 weeks) - so your levels sound about right for just under 5 weeks - that means it really is too early to see anything.

However each pregnancy is very different and the levels can be way higher or lower - it's a minefield.

Fingers crossed for your next scan - really hope it's good news xx

[scotchegg]

I really hope things work out for you, I can't imagine how difficult the wait until your next scan will be 😔 One thought is that if you were very anxious about the pregnancy that could have caused your loose bowels- I know my stomach always gets upset if I'm stressed or anxious. Will keep fingers crossed for you x

[Tippyt]

I’m so sorry this is happening, please stay positive.

This almost exact situation happened to my best mate and thank god it all worked out as she is 12 weeks with a healthy little bean.

I had an ectopic and was 6.5weeks from fresh transfer. There was no diarrhoea, opposite actually, and only sign was a constant dull ache, no bleeding, no nothing. I was lucky in the respect that they told me almost instantly despite having a very healthy HCG.

Please try not to symptoms spot as you will drive yourself insane and as hard as it is stay positive as it’s highly probable it’s just to early to see. Everything crossed for you - you got this girl!

[Hh1010]

Really hope you get some good news and it doesn’t turn out to be ectopic, there’s definitely still a possibility that it’s too early.

I would also say that your symptoms and scan do seem to suggest an ectopic - I’ve had two, I know how scary it is.One of mine resolved naturally and for the other I had an injection to dissolve it.

You’ll know more next week at 6w as they should definitely be able to see the sac - they should be monitoring your hcg too as usually this doesn’t progress the same - often dips and then tries to rise again.

Best of luck with it x

[Blessingsfall]

I’m so sorry to hear this, it’s an incredible difficult time however you’re not alone but the worst thing is not knowing. The staff at the hospital will be doing everything they can to help you and have your best interest at heart! However sometimes they can’t be 100% sure and they have to prepare you for all outcomes. My first fresh cycle ended In an early miscarriage and my last frozen transfer ended in a suspected ectopic/ pregnancy of unknown location which was extremely traumatic. I still dont know what one it was but they had to act as they found a small amount of fluid in my right tube and my hcg was rising then falling then rising so could have been dangerous. But no sac was found. I really hope it all is ok for you🙏🙏❤️ sending positive vibes your way!

[Ltry]

Update for anyone reading later: HCG today was 1433. This was around 46 hours from my last result (719) so doubling appropriately. I have to go in for another scan next week 🤞 not out of the woods yet but trying to stay positive.

[Ltry]

Further update: confirmed ectopic. Ended up in emergency surgery today and lost my left tube. Devastated.

[soccerkt6 in reply to Ltry]

Oh sweet pea, I'm so, so sorry to hear this. How devastating to lose a tube on top of the trauma of the ectopic. Sending you a huge hug xxx

[Elmo13 in reply to Ltry]

Just wanted to say I’m so sorry to read what you’re going through. Wishing you lots of strength and love. Xx

[Blessingsfall in reply to Ltry]

I’m so sorry to hear this hoping you take your time to heal, rest and have good support around you. take care ❤️

[FlowerGem115 in reply to Ltry]

So sorry to hear this and having emergency surgery too, it is super tough and will be for a while to come. Take care of yourself and rest for the coming weeks, hope your friends and family rally around you. Plenty of rest, healthy food and set yourself a distraction target, I decided to climb mount snowdon to prove i was fit and healthy in my body after my ectopic! I was told that the loosing a tube doesn't reduce your chances (if naturally trying) by much as the other tube reaches around... not certain how much truth there is in this but it gave me a small comfort. X

[Ltry in reply to FlowerGem115]

Thanks. Luckily my friends and family are being very supportive and my husband is taking some time off. We were told the same about fertility not being reduced much when losing a tube. I'm not sure we will try again naturally though, I think I'd rather just go for a transfer. I know it's no guarantee of anything but the twice we've conceived naturally it hasn't ended well and I don't know that I can do it again.

[FlowerGem115 in reply to Ltry]

I don't blame you, I felt much safer via transfer, I think because you know exact dates, you are monitored closely with early scan at 6 weeks too. Only thing with having the super early scan is it can be too early to see heartbeat so it gives you extra worry until a more normal timing scan, always something to worry about and cause anxiety along this journey! Best wishes x