[mara]

Hi everyone,
I am new to this board...but have been mostly lurking with a little posting on TTC board since Oct. We have been trying for 8 months to get pregnant...but only five actual cycles because my cycles are long and we took a break one month because of my mom's health issues. I kind of feel like my DH and I are being tested or something...my mom is struggling with an agressive blood cancer, and I really have felt down about not only this, but also that we haven't been able to get pregnant.
Last month I got my period right when I should have, temp dip and everything and for once I didn't test (i was so proud). THen on Monday we went and met with my Dr. to talk about fertility...decided to schedule an ultrasound for me, and test DH's sperm. On Tuesday I had some cramping, thought maybe it was just cuz of gyno visit...on Weds. it got really bad and we went to walk in clinic. Dr. there thought that I may be passing a kidney stone, but told me that he had to test my urine for preg. I assured him that I was not pregnant, and he came back a minute later with a postive pregnancy test. I didn't experience elation, which I am glad about now, because I just knew something was not right. Pregnancy could not possibly be this painful or no woman would make it through 9 months. I was the one who asked, could it be ectopic? I am not sure if he had even thought of it, bad Dr., bad walk in place, but he sent us on to the hospital and indeed I did find out it was ectopic, I was bleeding like crazy, had surgery and lost the use of my left fallopian tube. I was about 6 weeks.
Yesterday I was in so much pain that I didn't really feel emotional...today the emotions are starting. I think I feel more of a loss for my tube than the pregnancy since I only knew I was pregnant for about 3 hours before the surgery, and I just knew it probably wasn't right...(even though I still hoped of course). I feel like as of last week I still really believed that DH and I had just had bad luck, but no real fertility issues. Even though we now know that we can get pregnant, now I really do have something wrong with me...
Anyway, hoping for advice from all of you. Especially anyone else who has been through this, or anyone else with only one tube. Also my Dr. says I have to wait two months before TTC. She also said that I would be bleeding a lot, but I am barely even spotting. I think that this is because I had a full real period two weeks ago...which kind of makes sense since my uterus didn't know that I was pregnant...right?
Thanks for reading everyone, I know it was kind of long,
Mara

[Brittanie]

I know there are a couple ladies here who have been pregnant after an ectopic pregnancy and loss of a tube, so I know it's possible. I, however, haven't myself, so I have no real advice.

I just wanted to give you

[katiegirl]

I have not experiences an Ectopic Pregnancy, but just wanted to share my condolences with you.

[MaMaTuTu]

Awe, I'm so sorry you had to go through all that! HUGS! I do know what it's like to have an ectopic, but they were able to save my tube. The emotional part of it is so hard. Not only are you have to deal with the pain of surgery and losing your tube but you're also dealing with the pregnancy hormones. I totally understand where you're coming from. And all I can say is that it will get better. I'm just a PM away if you need to talk! -T

[priddymama]

Mara,
I'm so sorry you had to go through this. You really are dealing with a lot lately.
I personally have no experience with ectopic but there are some gals on this board who have and I'm sure they will be happy to help you or at least offer suggestions and some guidance. I do know of women who have had ectopics, lost a tube and gone on to have a healthy pregnancy and I'm sure you will do the same.
Welcome to the board and best wishes

[jademyst13]

I'm sorry you are going through this. I haven't been through that so I don't have much to offer other than some

[smithcdee]

Mara, I mostly lurk as well, but I thought I would reply as I experience something similar recently. I had what I thought was my period for almost 21 days went I went to my OB/GYN on 02/12/08. He did a pelvic exam and said he couldn't find any cysts and that if my period did not stop by Monday to take HPT and call him and he would call in a prescription for Provera. For some reason I decided to test Friday morning (02/15/08) only to get a positive HPT (actually 2 HPTs). I knew something was not right so I didn't get excited either. I went back to the doctor that day and did blood HCG and ultrasound to find that I either had an ectopic pregnancy or a miscarriage. I was only about 3 to 4 weeks so no surgery was necessary. The loss is just beginning to set in, but we will try again in a couple of months. Get well and good luck.

[MaMaTuTu]

Mara, I forgot to ask you...did you have your surgery laproscopic, or did they have to do a laparotmy?

[~*Kixs*~]

(((HUG))) I am sorry for the loss of your baby, tube, and everything you have been through. It is really tough. I had an ectopic on 10/2/07 (the date of my surgery) and lost my right tube.

My doctor did an exam of the sac that was in my tube and Praise God there was no 'fetal tissue'. Dr. told me that most ectopic pregnancies never really develop. So while I was sad about the loss of the baby that could have been I was really upset about loosing my right tube and what that meant about future fertility.

Well I chart but I did not temp after my surgery b/c I depressed and lazy and we were taking a break anyways. I was on full pelvic rest for 3 weeks b/c the doctor had to stitch a little bit of my cervic. I had some internal bleeding so he was busy down there and I guess one of the tools cut me a little.

So I just charted my CM. I thought I Oed on CD 22 so DH and I DTD for my birthday on CD 46 with no worries. Well I got to eight weeks pasted my surgery and still had not got my period so I went to the doctor about getting that pill to start AF again. But my doctor required a negative blood test 1st. So on CD 57 I had my blood drawn and can you believe that I was PREGNANT! I am now 16w 4d with a perfectly normal healthy baby that I conceived on my birthday

I just wanted to share my story with you b/c there is hope no matter how crummy you feel at this moment. Please PM me anytime if you have a question or just want to talk. An ectopic loss is a very confusing thing. I know my emotions were really mixed up for a while. (((HUGS))) I hope you feel better soon

One tubed girls rock!

[greenchild]

I am so sorry for what you have been thru!!! Ectopics are so hard, especially when you lose body parts in the process.
yes, you definitely CAN get pg after an ectopic, but please, please, please make sure to get a thorough OB for your next pg. Don't let them assume anything.

[mara]

Thanks everyone for your words...it is really good to know that others have gone through something like this and come out the other side... 'Baby Goose' congrats. your story makes me feel very hopeful!
My surgery was laproscopic, but I am still in a lot of pain. There was about a pint of blood in my abdomen that the Dr. had to suction out, which has made me very sore.
I will def. be getting some help in the whole TTC thing...we were already looking into it, but now I am sure- I esp. want to make sure that my other tube and ovary are good.
So, one more question, I have no idea what my cycle is going to look like now- should I expect it to be very wacky and long with an eventual period at the end that tells me that I can start fresh? Also, should I expect my Dr. to do a blood test at my follow up appt. in a couple of weeks, do I need to be worried about knowing that my levels have dropped completely (I don't know what they were at, I know that they checked but they didn't tell me since we all knew by then that it didn't really matter).
Thanks again everyone. This is a really supportive board and I feel lucky to have found it.

[*becky*]

I just wanted to send you lots of hugs!!!!



I'm so sorry for your heartache and your losses.

[polbilly]

my first pregnancy was ectopic It ruptured at almost 9 weeks and i had emergency surgery so i totaly know what you are going through, I got pregnant again 3 months later unfortunatly i lost that baby to miscarriage but not even 4 weeks after that i got pregnant with my son and he will turn 2 in two weeks so yes you can still have children sucsessfully!!! it just may take a little longer but then again it may not! best of luck to you

melissa

[~*Kixs*~]

Thanks everyone for your words...it is really good to know that others have gone through something like this and come out the other side... 'Baby Goose' congrats. your story makes me feel very hopeful!
My surgery was laproscopic, but I am still in a lot of pain. There was about a pint of blood in my abdomen that the Dr. had to suction out, which has made me very sore.
I will def. be getting some help in the whole TTC thing...we were already looking into it, but now I am sure- I esp. want to make sure that my other tube and ovary are good.
So, one more question, I have no idea what my cycle is going to look like now- should I expect it to be very wacky and long with an eventual period at the end that tells me that I can start fresh? Also, should I expect my Dr. to do a blood test at my follow up appt. in a couple of weeks, do I need to be worried about knowing that my levels have dropped completely (I don't know what they were at, I know that they checked but they didn't tell me since we all knew by then that it didn't really matter).
Thanks again everyone. This is a really supportive board and I feel lucky to have found it.[/b]

I am not sure about your cycle but with my situation I did not ovulate until CD 43 (post surgery). I was told to expect my 1st period within 4-8 weeks after surgery.

Since your tube and pregnancy were removed your beta levels should drop pretty fast.

I am sorry you are still swore. I also had some internal bleeding and lost about 100CC's of blood that was suctioned out of my abdomen during surgery. I found that just getting up and walking just a little helped move the air out of my belly and made me feel a lot better. Keep taking the pain meds your doc gave you.

I hope you feel better soon!

[mara]

Thanks everyone. I have found that as I feel better physically, I feel worse emotionally. Last night was tough, I was very down...and then I started bleeding (I had only been spotting before). I am wondering now if my hormone levels were dropping since the bleeding was starting. Today I am feeling better, a little more like i can handle things. My pain is better too, more dull and less sharp. I think that I will go to work tomorrow for half a day. I am amazed by all of your stories and all of your strength- and you give me hope that I will get through this.
Also, I actually still have most of my tube, they just took a little part of it, but then burnt the end so that it isn't useful.
As I start thinking ahead to resuming TTC, I am wondering about fertility drugs like clomid...do they make it so that both ovaries are producing more eggs and so up your chances? I just have this feeling that my left ovary, (the side my ectopic was on) was more active because I often had cramps there, and never felt anything on my right side. It may just have been that my left tube always had issues though.

Also, on a side note. I started going to acupuncture last month, actually I went and then O'd (and got pregnant as it turns out) a day later. I highly suggest it as an option for fertility issues. I have already heard from my Dr. and she can't wait to see me to help me with my recovery and get my body ready to try again. Chinese medicine has been around for a long time and i am becoming a believer! It also helps with stress and depression...

[mom 2 haley & tyler]

I have not experiences an Ectopic Pregnancy, but just wanted to share my condolences with you.[/b]

I hope you feel better soon. We are here if you need to talk