Happy New Year to you all! We hope Christmas brought joy and peace.
A new year has started, days are getting longer and brighter and there is a new sense of hope, isn't there?
We are continuing our project of collecting stories and we are also very interested in the male perspective which is not taken much into account. So please email us if you want to participate and share your experience.
Our network here in Ireland is broadening and we are delighted when we can reach out to women going through EP. Recently, one of the local maternity hospitals has contacted us to see if we can meet with the councillor who offers supports when someone is admitted with an EP. This is a big step and we hope many more will be taken to raise awareness. Some more press releases are in the pipeline too!
Hopefully it won't be too long till our next post!
Thursday, 26 January 2012
Monday, 19 December 2011
Christmas Greetings
We have been a bit quiet lately but it's great to see the number of visitors going up overtime! We were thrilled to see our site reached over 1000 hits, thanks so much for stopping by.
We are always welcoming new stories and please know that we'd love to hear from you and would be honoured if you share your experience with us.
It's less than a week to Christmas and we know how hard it is to go through holidays when you just suffered a loss. Wondering what it would have been...we are here to support you and to offer a shoulder to cry on if this helps you feeling a bit better. And then there is the New Year. A new beginning and new hope that next Christmas will be different.
We are always welcoming new stories and please know that we'd love to hear from you and would be honoured if you share your experience with us.
It's less than a week to Christmas and we know how hard it is to go through holidays when you just suffered a loss. Wondering what it would have been...we are here to support you and to offer a shoulder to cry on if this helps you feeling a bit better. And then there is the New Year. A new beginning and new hope that next Christmas will be different.
From all of us at Ectopic Pregnancy Ireland
Monday, 5 December 2011
Meet Claire!
Another story with a happy ending! This may not always be the case of course, but it certainly can happen. Thank you so much for sharing Claire!
What type of ectopic pregnancy did you experience?
I suffered an ectopic pregnancy in June 2007 resulting in the loss of our baby and my right tube. I had heard of Ectopic Pregnancy before briefly but was not aware of any of the complications or factors involved.
My now husband and I were firstly not trying to get pregnant so we basically had sex around the time of ovulation. I was nervous that I would fall pregnant, we were one year in our new home and working building careers etc. While having a baby was in our future we were not planning on starting so soon. We both took the decision to take the morning after pill the next day. I took the tablet and was told by the doctor that my period should come back in two weeks approx.
I got on with normal life and assumed my period would return. Three weeks later my period didn’t arrive and while talking to my sister she urged me to take a pregnancy test. I was in denial stating how I could not possibly be pregnant! However she jolted me into thinking I should test just to know. So I had to wait until the next day and I tested positive.
We were both shocked and upset. They were our honest first responses. We didn’t plan on this happening and now we had a positive test. My gut reaction was “ok, we didn’t plan but I love this baby no matter what”. We got the pregnancy confirmed and just digested the news. We also had a two week holiday booked which we looked forward to.
What were your symptoms?
From the minute I found out I was expecting our baby, I knew something wasn’t right. I am a firm believer that you have a gut for a reason and I just knew that all was not well. I started spotting brown blood, not heavy but it was consistent every day. I did not have any pain. I arrived probably one week later into A&E in Holles St, where a doctor scanned me with an old small scanner, which didn’t detect anything in my womb. He said it was too early to see and basically said go on holidays but do so with caution. They booked me in for a repeat scan on my return in two weeks. So off we went on our holiday, when I actually think of what was in store, it still scares me! I started getting pains in my right side one evening that were very painful and I knew something was wrong. I took a painkiller and hoped that it would subside, which it did that night. While taking a shower the following day I passed a sac which I presumed naturally was our baby. We were both shocked and worried. I was doing ok, and we were due home in a few days and I just wanted to get going.
We arrived in the EPU the Monday we arrived home. This time we were scanned internally by a lovely midwife who had the proper scanning equipment etc. She detected the pregnancy in my right tube almost immediately as a black mass which was clearly visible to us. She was lovely and basically informed us that the pregnancy was now no longer viable. Those words will always stay with me. I was relieved in one way as I thought it was straightforward miscarriage but now had an answer. It was ectopic. She also gave me a print out of the English Ectopic Charity for support and the counselling leaflet from the hospital.
How were you treated? (surgery, MTX)
I was booked straight onto the day ward and was basically getting my bloods checked every few hours. Once it was confirmed that they were rising I was given an injection of Methotrexate. Told to go home and rest. As we lived over 40km away I stayed that night in my Dads. My friend arrived up that evening and performed some acupuncture on me to relax my body etc. While lying on the bed the pain started and I knew I had to get back into hospital. I was by then still talking, walking but started to shake uncontrollably. I was again admitted onto the ward where I was left overnight in severe pain. I was given pain relievers but had to wait until the next morning to see a doctor.
How was your experience with the doctors?
The next morning the doctors discussed the options with me regarding surgery. We were completely and utterly shocked. My family having only just discovered I was pregnant now had to face me having surgery. My husband was devastated and barely held it together as he was worried I wouldn't make it.
By lunchtime they finally made the decision to operate. I was brought down and operated on. When I came to, a very nice doctor explained what had happened. I was relieved that they didn’t have to fully open me up and that they had performed key hole surgery. They informed me that I had lost my right tube as I had ruptured. They showed me photographs and my abdomen was filled with blood and you could see the baby in my tube.
Can you tell us a bit about your emotions, family support (if shared) etc.?
I think I brushed a lot of my emotions regarding the ectopic under the carpet. Sure I was here, alive and I am fine. We got married one year later and we were doing well. Some family members tried to tell me that ‘it wasn’t really a baby, only cells’. That still hurts. My friends were amazing as were other members of our family. My husband and I didn’t fully discuss it, and didn’t avail of the counselling services on offer. I personally felt almost guilty because I took the morning after pill and had no right to feel anything at all. I now realise that is not the case.
What happened since your ectopic pregnancy?
In September 2009 our son was born! He was conceived relatively quickly and was healthy and beautiful in every way. It also brought up all the old emotions around our first baby and a lot of good tears were shed. We both spoke properly about our baby and while our journey started out a bit differently to others in that it wasn’t planned, we both realised how much we love our first. I am now pregnant again after a short time trying and we also plan on planting a tree to always remember our little baby up there and always part of us.
What type of ectopic pregnancy did you experience?
I suffered an ectopic pregnancy in June 2007 resulting in the loss of our baby and my right tube. I had heard of Ectopic Pregnancy before briefly but was not aware of any of the complications or factors involved.
My now husband and I were firstly not trying to get pregnant so we basically had sex around the time of ovulation. I was nervous that I would fall pregnant, we were one year in our new home and working building careers etc. While having a baby was in our future we were not planning on starting so soon. We both took the decision to take the morning after pill the next day. I took the tablet and was told by the doctor that my period should come back in two weeks approx.
I got on with normal life and assumed my period would return. Three weeks later my period didn’t arrive and while talking to my sister she urged me to take a pregnancy test. I was in denial stating how I could not possibly be pregnant! However she jolted me into thinking I should test just to know. So I had to wait until the next day and I tested positive.
We were both shocked and upset. They were our honest first responses. We didn’t plan on this happening and now we had a positive test. My gut reaction was “ok, we didn’t plan but I love this baby no matter what”. We got the pregnancy confirmed and just digested the news. We also had a two week holiday booked which we looked forward to.
What were your symptoms?
From the minute I found out I was expecting our baby, I knew something wasn’t right. I am a firm believer that you have a gut for a reason and I just knew that all was not well. I started spotting brown blood, not heavy but it was consistent every day. I did not have any pain. I arrived probably one week later into A&E in Holles St, where a doctor scanned me with an old small scanner, which didn’t detect anything in my womb. He said it was too early to see and basically said go on holidays but do so with caution. They booked me in for a repeat scan on my return in two weeks. So off we went on our holiday, when I actually think of what was in store, it still scares me! I started getting pains in my right side one evening that were very painful and I knew something was wrong. I took a painkiller and hoped that it would subside, which it did that night. While taking a shower the following day I passed a sac which I presumed naturally was our baby. We were both shocked and worried. I was doing ok, and we were due home in a few days and I just wanted to get going.
We arrived in the EPU the Monday we arrived home. This time we were scanned internally by a lovely midwife who had the proper scanning equipment etc. She detected the pregnancy in my right tube almost immediately as a black mass which was clearly visible to us. She was lovely and basically informed us that the pregnancy was now no longer viable. Those words will always stay with me. I was relieved in one way as I thought it was straightforward miscarriage but now had an answer. It was ectopic. She also gave me a print out of the English Ectopic Charity for support and the counselling leaflet from the hospital.
How were you treated? (surgery, MTX)
I was booked straight onto the day ward and was basically getting my bloods checked every few hours. Once it was confirmed that they were rising I was given an injection of Methotrexate. Told to go home and rest. As we lived over 40km away I stayed that night in my Dads. My friend arrived up that evening and performed some acupuncture on me to relax my body etc. While lying on the bed the pain started and I knew I had to get back into hospital. I was by then still talking, walking but started to shake uncontrollably. I was again admitted onto the ward where I was left overnight in severe pain. I was given pain relievers but had to wait until the next morning to see a doctor.
How was your experience with the doctors?
The next morning the doctors discussed the options with me regarding surgery. We were completely and utterly shocked. My family having only just discovered I was pregnant now had to face me having surgery. My husband was devastated and barely held it together as he was worried I wouldn't make it.
By lunchtime they finally made the decision to operate. I was brought down and operated on. When I came to, a very nice doctor explained what had happened. I was relieved that they didn’t have to fully open me up and that they had performed key hole surgery. They informed me that I had lost my right tube as I had ruptured. They showed me photographs and my abdomen was filled with blood and you could see the baby in my tube.
Can you tell us a bit about your emotions, family support (if shared) etc.?
I think I brushed a lot of my emotions regarding the ectopic under the carpet. Sure I was here, alive and I am fine. We got married one year later and we were doing well. Some family members tried to tell me that ‘it wasn’t really a baby, only cells’. That still hurts. My friends were amazing as were other members of our family. My husband and I didn’t fully discuss it, and didn’t avail of the counselling services on offer. I personally felt almost guilty because I took the morning after pill and had no right to feel anything at all. I now realise that is not the case.
What happened since your ectopic pregnancy?
In September 2009 our son was born! He was conceived relatively quickly and was healthy and beautiful in every way. It also brought up all the old emotions around our first baby and a lot of good tears were shed. We both spoke properly about our baby and while our journey started out a bit differently to others in that it wasn’t planned, we both realised how much we love our first. I am now pregnant again after a short time trying and we also plan on planting a tree to always remember our little baby up there and always part of us.
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
Ectopic Pregnancy Ireland in the Irish Times
A great article on the Irish Times this morning gives us once again visibility. We have achieved a lot but there is much more to do!
Friday, 25 November 2011
Meet Crystal!
Crystal suffered an EP very recently, and after her recovery herself and her husband decided to move abroad to start a new life and hopefully add to their family soon. Thank you Crystal or sharing your experience with us!
What type of ectopic pregnancy did you experience?
I experienced an ectopic pregnancy in my right fallopian tube in July 2011. I was 8 weeks pregnant with my first pregnancy.
What were your symptoms?
The only symptoms I had was slight spotting at 6 ½ weeks, which is why my diagnoses took so long.
How was your experience with the Doctors, & How were you treated?
I attended my GP after noticing some spotting. She referred me immediately to the Early Pregnancy Unit for assessment. I went straight to the hospital where I was examined. I was booked in for an ultrasound the following week. Because I had no pain, and the spotting had stopped, I didn’t feel an urgency in having an ultrasound and was happy to wait the week. Between appointments I still had no symptoms apart from a very slight cramping every now and then so I presumed everything was ok. They day of my ultrasound arrived. Initially the Dr pointed to the screen to what she thought was the sac, but she then asked for a 2nd opinion. The second Dr thought that there was nothing to be seen. But because I was still symptomless they were unsure. A blood test to confirm my HCG was ordered. This came back with a large reading confirming my pregnancy. I was admitted in order to have my HCG levels rechecked.
48 hrs. later my HCG levels had risen still confirming a pregnancy. I was prepared for surgery but beforehand I asked for a 2nd scan, to put my mind at rest considering I still had no significant symptoms. I wanted to be sure there was nothing in my womb before they opened me up. This scan was done and no pregnancy was seen. A dr. came to explain the surgery, It was only then I realised my pregnancy was not going to be viable. I was rushed to surgery where an ectopic pregnancy was confirmed. My right fallopian tube was removed.
My experiences with the Drs were mostly positive. Communication let them down. No one spoke to me about the possibility of an ectopic until I was being prepared for surgery. My GP couldn’t have been better, her aftercare and support has been amazing.
Can you tell us a bit about your emotions, family support (if shared) etc.
They physical pain from the operation healed quickly. Emotionally I am still dealing with it. My husband works abroad and was only able to arrive home the day after the operation, so in some respects things were probably as difficult for him as they were for me. Because he was abroad I made the decision to tell our immediate family and my close friends of my pregnancy more or less immediately, I felt I needed there support and needed them to know that I was expecting. In hindsight I was right. I couldn’t have foreseen what was to happen to me but I needed my family and friends around me while I was waiting to see what the outcome was going to be. Post op, everyone was a great support. However no one talks about it anymore. I’m not sure is it they have forgotten or is it they fear they may upset me by talking about things. My husband & I don’t speak about it either. I suppose we have our own way of dealing with the grief. I often wonder how big I would be by now, would I have chosen to find out the sex, etc. I am dreading my expected due date. Not a day goes by without me thinking of our little angel.
What’s happened since your ectopic pregnancy?
6 weeks post op, I packed my bags and moved abroad with my husband. We plan on trying for a baby in the new year, although I am scared and filled with apprehension that the same thing will happen again….. Only time will tell x
What type of ectopic pregnancy did you experience?
I experienced an ectopic pregnancy in my right fallopian tube in July 2011. I was 8 weeks pregnant with my first pregnancy.
What were your symptoms?
The only symptoms I had was slight spotting at 6 ½ weeks, which is why my diagnoses took so long.
How was your experience with the Doctors, & How were you treated?
I attended my GP after noticing some spotting. She referred me immediately to the Early Pregnancy Unit for assessment. I went straight to the hospital where I was examined. I was booked in for an ultrasound the following week. Because I had no pain, and the spotting had stopped, I didn’t feel an urgency in having an ultrasound and was happy to wait the week. Between appointments I still had no symptoms apart from a very slight cramping every now and then so I presumed everything was ok. They day of my ultrasound arrived. Initially the Dr pointed to the screen to what she thought was the sac, but she then asked for a 2nd opinion. The second Dr thought that there was nothing to be seen. But because I was still symptomless they were unsure. A blood test to confirm my HCG was ordered. This came back with a large reading confirming my pregnancy. I was admitted in order to have my HCG levels rechecked.
48 hrs. later my HCG levels had risen still confirming a pregnancy. I was prepared for surgery but beforehand I asked for a 2nd scan, to put my mind at rest considering I still had no significant symptoms. I wanted to be sure there was nothing in my womb before they opened me up. This scan was done and no pregnancy was seen. A dr. came to explain the surgery, It was only then I realised my pregnancy was not going to be viable. I was rushed to surgery where an ectopic pregnancy was confirmed. My right fallopian tube was removed.
My experiences with the Drs were mostly positive. Communication let them down. No one spoke to me about the possibility of an ectopic until I was being prepared for surgery. My GP couldn’t have been better, her aftercare and support has been amazing.
Can you tell us a bit about your emotions, family support (if shared) etc.
They physical pain from the operation healed quickly. Emotionally I am still dealing with it. My husband works abroad and was only able to arrive home the day after the operation, so in some respects things were probably as difficult for him as they were for me. Because he was abroad I made the decision to tell our immediate family and my close friends of my pregnancy more or less immediately, I felt I needed there support and needed them to know that I was expecting. In hindsight I was right. I couldn’t have foreseen what was to happen to me but I needed my family and friends around me while I was waiting to see what the outcome was going to be. Post op, everyone was a great support. However no one talks about it anymore. I’m not sure is it they have forgotten or is it they fear they may upset me by talking about things. My husband & I don’t speak about it either. I suppose we have our own way of dealing with the grief. I often wonder how big I would be by now, would I have chosen to find out the sex, etc. I am dreading my expected due date. Not a day goes by without me thinking of our little angel.
What’s happened since your ectopic pregnancy?
6 weeks post op, I packed my bags and moved abroad with my husband. We plan on trying for a baby in the new year, although I am scared and filled with apprehension that the same thing will happen again….. Only time will tell x
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Meet Jonelle!
Meet Jonelle, she's is also a blogger and blogs about her quest to add to her family after so many heartbreaks. Sometimes it is really difficult to stay positive when we struggle so much to achieve what for others is so easy. Jonelle is now pursuing adoption, if you want to follow her story she blogs at "Somewhere in the Middle".
What type of ectopic pregnancy did you experience?
My ectopic was in my right tube, near my ovary in February 2008. I was inbetween cycles, after having finished a Clomid cycle (hpt at the RE's office was negative) and waiting to start my period so I could have an HSG to start injections. (I didn't know I was pregnant until I was admited in the ER).
What were your symptoms?
I had spotting for about a week, and then a week later, out of nowhere severe pelvic pain-like cramping all over, not exclusive to one side. I had been waiting for my period, so I thought it was cramps. When the pain got worse and accompanied by pressure when I had to pee, I thought I had a UTI (even though I had never experienced one).
How was your experience with the doctors?
I was in the ER (A&E) for the first 24+ hours before I was transferred to a hospital that would treat me (the insurance that I had wasn't compatible with the local hospital my dad intitally took my too [DH was teaching a night class and couldn't take me to a hospital that would take our insurance]). In that time (24+ hours), I wasn't given any pain meds (I have a high pain tolerance) or anything to eat, because in a way, I think they knew I was surgical (being fitted for an IV fluid port kinda gave it away). The three different doctors that examined me while in the ER told me that they didn't think it was an ectopic, but an ovarian cyst. I even had an ultrasound and they told me I had "fluid" in my uterus, but they didn't know what kind of fluid.
How were you treated? (surgery, MTX)
Once I was transferred to another hospital, I was seen immediately by an OB. He did an ultrasound and told me that the "fluid' in the uterus was actually blood. And the shoulder pain I was now experiencing was blood pooling in my abdomen. I was rushed into emergency surgery within the hour. I had to have my right tube removed.
Can you tell us a bit about your emotions, family support (if shared) etc.?
My emotions were incredibly raw after it happened. After four years of struggling to get pregnant, it finally happened and it was an ectopic. I was very upset at myself too, hindsight plays evil tricks when grieving. I kept telling myself, if only I had taken another pregnancy test, if only I had made my dad take me to a Kaiser hospital, if only I had made my RE give me an HSG (which he refused as I "wasn't ovulating anyway, so what's the point"). My mom and husband were great. When DH had to go back to work the next day after surgery, my mom came over with breakfast and took care of me. She listened to me talk and cry. DH was the same, we talked an cried together. Even my cat wouldn't leave me alone.
What happened since your ectopic pregnancy?
May 2008 an HSG cleared my left tube and declared my uterus "unremarkable", we moved onto treatment with injections and IUI procedures in August 2008. I had eight medicated IUI cycles (4 cancelled due to incorrect ovary response). The very last cycle (July/August 2009) resulted in a chemical pregnancy, that was when DH and I decided to stop treatment and stop trying altogether. We agreed that grief counselling would be the best thing for us to help us move on from infertility and onto domestic infant adoption. In August 2010 we found an adoption agency. In December 2010 our homestudy was approved. In September 2011 we were matched, a month later the matched failed. Now we are waiting to be matched again.
What type of ectopic pregnancy did you experience?
My ectopic was in my right tube, near my ovary in February 2008. I was inbetween cycles, after having finished a Clomid cycle (hpt at the RE's office was negative) and waiting to start my period so I could have an HSG to start injections. (I didn't know I was pregnant until I was admited in the ER).
What were your symptoms?
I had spotting for about a week, and then a week later, out of nowhere severe pelvic pain-like cramping all over, not exclusive to one side. I had been waiting for my period, so I thought it was cramps. When the pain got worse and accompanied by pressure when I had to pee, I thought I had a UTI (even though I had never experienced one).
How was your experience with the doctors?
I was in the ER (A&E) for the first 24+ hours before I was transferred to a hospital that would treat me (the insurance that I had wasn't compatible with the local hospital my dad intitally took my too [DH was teaching a night class and couldn't take me to a hospital that would take our insurance]). In that time (24+ hours), I wasn't given any pain meds (I have a high pain tolerance) or anything to eat, because in a way, I think they knew I was surgical (being fitted for an IV fluid port kinda gave it away). The three different doctors that examined me while in the ER told me that they didn't think it was an ectopic, but an ovarian cyst. I even had an ultrasound and they told me I had "fluid" in my uterus, but they didn't know what kind of fluid.
How were you treated? (surgery, MTX)
Once I was transferred to another hospital, I was seen immediately by an OB. He did an ultrasound and told me that the "fluid' in the uterus was actually blood. And the shoulder pain I was now experiencing was blood pooling in my abdomen. I was rushed into emergency surgery within the hour. I had to have my right tube removed.
Can you tell us a bit about your emotions, family support (if shared) etc.?
My emotions were incredibly raw after it happened. After four years of struggling to get pregnant, it finally happened and it was an ectopic. I was very upset at myself too, hindsight plays evil tricks when grieving. I kept telling myself, if only I had taken another pregnancy test, if only I had made my dad take me to a Kaiser hospital, if only I had made my RE give me an HSG (which he refused as I "wasn't ovulating anyway, so what's the point"). My mom and husband were great. When DH had to go back to work the next day after surgery, my mom came over with breakfast and took care of me. She listened to me talk and cry. DH was the same, we talked an cried together. Even my cat wouldn't leave me alone.
What happened since your ectopic pregnancy?
May 2008 an HSG cleared my left tube and declared my uterus "unremarkable", we moved onto treatment with injections and IUI procedures in August 2008. I had eight medicated IUI cycles (4 cancelled due to incorrect ovary response). The very last cycle (July/August 2009) resulted in a chemical pregnancy, that was when DH and I decided to stop treatment and stop trying altogether. We agreed that grief counselling would be the best thing for us to help us move on from infertility and onto domestic infant adoption. In August 2010 we found an adoption agency. In December 2010 our homestudy was approved. In September 2011 we were matched, a month later the matched failed. Now we are waiting to be matched again.
Monday, 21 November 2011
Meet Sheryl!
This is Sheryl's story, another beautiful testimony of how things can just turn around sooner than expected after the trauma of an ectopic pregnancy.
What type of ectopic pregnancy did you experience?
I had an ectopic pregnancy in Feb 2011 in my right fallopian tube.
What were your symptoms?
I didnt have any of the classic symptoms. However on the day I was admitted to hospital I had really bad pressure pains in my pelvic region and towards the back, which made walking and driving very uncomfortable.
How was your experience with the doctors?
I found Doctors, nurses and everybody involved to be absolutely fantastic. They were extremely sympathetic and understanding.
How were you treated? (surgery, MTX)
I had my right fallopian tube removed.
A week before I found out I was pregnant I fell down the stairs which resulted in very heavy bleeding. I visited my gp who treated me for a vaginal infection. I knew i hadn't an infection and on valentines night (Monday) I took a test and couldn't believe it was finally positive. I contacted the EPAU straight away and told them about the bleeding etc so they arranged an appointment for that same Friday. They scanned me and tested my hormone levels. Nothing showed up on the scan which they said was not uncommon at 6 weeks gestation, but they warned me I may have miscarried and the blood test would reveal all.
It was later that night I had the really bad pains and was admitted to hospital.
My hcg levels confirmed I was still pregnant but still nothing showed up on the scans. It was only on Monday 21st when I was scanned again that they discovered the pregnancy and also a lot of fluid. Within 15 mins I was rushed to Theatre.
Can you tell us a bit about your emotions, family support (if shared) etc.?
Where to start! Angry, sad, alone, frustrated.
Initially when I found out may have to have a tube removed I was totally devastated. We had tried for months to get pregnant and now are chances of it happening again were going to be slimmer.
I hadn't thought of the little baby we lost and used to get frustrated when people mentioned the word miscarriage.
As soon as the physical pain healed the emotional pain took over and all I could think of was our little baby and each week that passed I thought I should be x weeks pregnant now
I kept everything bottled up for a while and realised it wasn't helping at all. After reading stories from other women on the ectopic pregnancy Ireland page I decided I needed to talk about it. I was so surprised at how many people experienced an ep or knew someone who experienced it.
What happened since your ectopic pregnancy?
Well in June I decided to run the mini marathon for ectopic pregnancy Ireland to help raise awareness. It was very emotional crossing the finish line. Also I'm relatively fit and couldn't understand why it nearly killed me only to discover 2 days later that I was pregnant!!!!
I'm now 27 weeks and everything has been going great. The day our first little baby would have been due was still very hard to deal with though and I often think of what might have been.
However we know we are blessed to be pregnant again so soon and are cherishing every moment.
Never give up hope x
What type of ectopic pregnancy did you experience?
I had an ectopic pregnancy in Feb 2011 in my right fallopian tube.
What were your symptoms?
I didnt have any of the classic symptoms. However on the day I was admitted to hospital I had really bad pressure pains in my pelvic region and towards the back, which made walking and driving very uncomfortable.
How was your experience with the doctors?
I found Doctors, nurses and everybody involved to be absolutely fantastic. They were extremely sympathetic and understanding.
How were you treated? (surgery, MTX)
I had my right fallopian tube removed.
A week before I found out I was pregnant I fell down the stairs which resulted in very heavy bleeding. I visited my gp who treated me for a vaginal infection. I knew i hadn't an infection and on valentines night (Monday) I took a test and couldn't believe it was finally positive. I contacted the EPAU straight away and told them about the bleeding etc so they arranged an appointment for that same Friday. They scanned me and tested my hormone levels. Nothing showed up on the scan which they said was not uncommon at 6 weeks gestation, but they warned me I may have miscarried and the blood test would reveal all.
It was later that night I had the really bad pains and was admitted to hospital.
My hcg levels confirmed I was still pregnant but still nothing showed up on the scans. It was only on Monday 21st when I was scanned again that they discovered the pregnancy and also a lot of fluid. Within 15 mins I was rushed to Theatre.
Can you tell us a bit about your emotions, family support (if shared) etc.?
Where to start! Angry, sad, alone, frustrated.
Initially when I found out may have to have a tube removed I was totally devastated. We had tried for months to get pregnant and now are chances of it happening again were going to be slimmer.
I hadn't thought of the little baby we lost and used to get frustrated when people mentioned the word miscarriage.
As soon as the physical pain healed the emotional pain took over and all I could think of was our little baby and each week that passed I thought I should be x weeks pregnant now
I kept everything bottled up for a while and realised it wasn't helping at all. After reading stories from other women on the ectopic pregnancy Ireland page I decided I needed to talk about it. I was so surprised at how many people experienced an ep or knew someone who experienced it.
What happened since your ectopic pregnancy?
Well in June I decided to run the mini marathon for ectopic pregnancy Ireland to help raise awareness. It was very emotional crossing the finish line. Also I'm relatively fit and couldn't understand why it nearly killed me only to discover 2 days later that I was pregnant!!!!
I'm now 27 weeks and everything has been going great. The day our first little baby would have been due was still very hard to deal with though and I often think of what might have been.
However we know we are blessed to be pregnant again so soon and are cherishing every moment.
Never give up hope x
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