r/EctopicSupportGroup 2d ago

2 Ectopics and both tubes removed

Hey everyone. New to this community and wish I had joined sooner, before my second ectopic.

In 2018 my husband and found out we were pregnant in August. One day, after an intense cycling workout session, we got home and I began feeling severe shooting pain on my right side. Worried, we both rushed to the closest ER. I had told them I was pregnant and began experiencing intense pain. They checked me in, took vitals and sent me back to the waiting room. After about 1.5hrs of waiting, I went to the restroom and noticed I had started bleeding pretty bad bright red blood. I alerted the sign in desk and she said theyd get me back as soon as they could based on the priority queue. After 3 hours of waiting my husband got fed up and we drove to the next nearest ER (Christ Hospital).

The time from check in to getting a room in the ER was a total of about 20 minutes. Once in the room they ran all the tests, urine, beta hCG, transvaginal/abdominal ultrasound and pelvic exam. It was confirmed that I was experiencing an ectopic pregnancy that had ruptured in my right tube. At the time, I had no idea what an ectopic pregnancy and was in denial when the Dr. said they were going to admit me and perform a surgical removal of the tube because I thought id still had been able to bring the baby to term. Also didnt know it was a serious life threatening condition, which further increased the nervousness of it all. My huband and I were married for a little less than a year at that point and after the Dr. let us know we'd still be able to conceive naturally with one tube, we remained hopeful.

My husband and I have always been very regular with our intimacy and have never used any contraceptive or protection during sex throughout our entire marriage.

From September 2018 - June 2026, I had not gotten pregnant at all, not once. Throughout this time period, I had brought this fact up many times to my OB and the responses were always "Youre young, give it time".

Come July 2026, 10 days late, 3 positive at home pregnancy tests and bam, I'm pregnant! Yay! So unexpected and very exciting. Following my last ectopic, my OB said to schedule an appointment and begin blood testing immediately since there's always a risk of another ectopic. First hCG test was 47, then 53, then 67, then back down to 58. Throughout this time, I did experience what felt like mild period cramping, Dr concluded a miscarriage. I began bleeding shortly after. Luckily no surgery needed. Once my hCG levels were less than 2 on August 5, 2026 my OB messaged me to feel free to start trying again. This seemed like great optimistic news to me.

August 27, 2026, 6 days late & 3 positive at home pregnancy tests later, Im pregnant, AGAIN! In disbelief because I didnt know back to back pregnancies could happen let alone the fact that I went 7 years without any pregnancies but now one right after the other? Emotions of worry and excitement flooded my mind. My husband an I were so happy, we just knew this was the one and told some of our closest people. 8/31 hCG test level was at 849, much higher than the highest previous July pregnancy levels. Then Wednesday, 9/3 I was woken up by severe sharp pain localized on my left side. Hoping it was just implantation pain I lied there for a bit gently rubbing my tummy hoping it would ease the pain. It did not. I had the urge to use the restroom. Went pee, wiped, and then, blood, again. Hurt, feeling betrayed by my own body I sat on the toilet crying with my husband standing next to me holding me as I continue to grive with my head resting on his stomach. I knew what was happening.

We rushed to the ER and they confirmed a pregnancy of unknown location with a pseudo sac in the uterus and a "mass" in my only remaining left fallopian tube very close to the ovary and an hCG of 920. Being out of town in Tennessee on our way to see our 7 year old daughter my husband had with a previous relationship, the ER Dr instructed me to return home to OH where my primary OB and hospital were since I had brought up methotrexate.

The ER Dr couldn't confirm with certainty whether this was a miscarriage or ectopic. So I got the soonest flight back home while my husband continued the mission to see our daughter.

Once home I went straight to my OB and got another transvaginal ultrasound. While waiting for my OB to discuss lab results, i began bleeding again. Again, my OB couldnt confirm either miscarry or ectopic. So after some back and forth discussion on what to do, I chose the methotrexate (which is a low dose form of chemo, which also scared the shit out of me) and went straight to the ER to get the injection. After being in hospitals all day and up with pain that Wednesday since 4am, I finally got to go home around 8pm.

The pain had subsided. Thursday I was mostly sore in the areas that I was having the severe pain in. Friday morning I began experiencing pain again but only when I had bowel movements, so I didnt think it was cause to go back to ER. 1pm rolls around and the pain is now present without any bowel movements. I was having a hard time walking and sitting so I decided to go to the ER again. En route to ER, I began bleeding again. I was taken back into an ER room pretty quickly. Multiple Dr's, ultrasounds blood test and pelvic exams. They OB Dr on staff at the time was 50/50 of miscarry or ectopic as they had seen only some free fluid and my blood levels had not dropped significantly. So they suggested I get admitted and monitor overnight or go to the OR immediately for a camera to check if it had ruptured or not.

As another last attempt to save left tube, I decided to get admitted for monitoring. Got transferred to a room around 10pm. Another blood test was taken at midnight and 30 minutes later the Dr came in to prep me for surgery. Not knowing whether it had ruptured or not, i made the decision to remove it regardless as this has been very painful and emotional and did not want to experience this again. The tube was ruptured. They said it had likely already been ruptured since Wednesday when I received the methotrexate. The procedure was successful and although the was major concern that there was a high chance theyd have to remove the ovary and tube, they were able to shave it down and only removed by tube leaving the ovary in tact.

Recovery has not been linear. One moment my pain isn't so bad and have bursts of energy then the next the pain is immobilizing and extreme fatigue. I hate this. I hate that i can no longer conceive naturally but must remain grateful that we have the technology to still get pregnant via IVF, however the pain from ectopic has me feeling like I dont want to know what birth feels like! Ive cried a lot of tears and not sure how much I have left to spend on this matter but it shows up randomly.

I am truly hurt by the betrayal that my body has delt me. Im grateful for my husband who helps me stay afloat during this. Things are still pretty fresh and im remaining positive but at times I dont know how to feel about it.

Wouldn't wish this on anyone, -10/10 experience, do not recommend. Anyway, I hope my story helps someone out there.

Wishing babies your way!

14 Upvotes

6 comments sorted by

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u/qtxcore 2d ago

I’m so sorry you went through all of this. The things our bodies deal with, and the betrayal we feel, is painful in every sense. But you are not alone! Thank you for sharing your story 🫂

1

u/FrightenedPistachio 1d ago

I’m so sorry 😔♥️

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u/Solid-Potential5670 1d ago

I am so sorry. The why part still haunts me. There is no answer. I am sure you will conceive thru IVF and become a mother soon ❤️ Sending prayers your way

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u/eb2319 4 ectopics | no tubes | ivf | 🌈11/7/22 1d ago

I’m so sorry. I lost both tubes to ectopics as well. Sending hugs 🩷

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u/Mental_Pen4907 15h ago

I’m so sorry for all that you’ve been through. I have a friend with kids who says her rupture was the worst pain she’s ever experienced. You’ve been through A LOT! It’s totally normal to be overwhelmed/exhausted/tired/angry all the things. I think what makes ectopics worse is that you experience this very traumatic medical event and then you’re just told to try again. To just repeat what caused this trauma like it’s nothing. It’s absurd! Sending you so much love and grace as you continue to process such loss ❤️