ectopic pregnancy

[mel_cur]

We have just found out that my sister has an ectopic pregnancy. She has some light cramping and fairly heavy bleeding. Is there a chance it will pass on it's own or will she need a operation? If she has an operation, will she lose the tube?

Thanks

[Rach75]

if she is already bleeding there is a good chance it will resolve on its on, she will have her BHCG levels check to make sure the levels drop off correctly sometimes with ectopics they drop then rise again, with mine I had the metho textrate injection as my levels weren't dropping

I dont want to scare her or you but please if she is given this injection please talk to the OB and get the real info I wasn't told a lot when I had it, told wait 3 cycles then start TTC again when I should have been told begin 5mg folic acid today, wait 12mths before TTC ... had I been told this there is a good chance my daughter who was conceived 5mths after the injection would still be with us today..but becuase I wasn't told this I never took any high dose folic acid and Katy suffered anencephaly a fatal NTD...

[~Trish~]

I had an ectopic pregnancy in early '07 that resolved itself. I was told if it didn't that I may need to have a tube removed or have an injection. I was told we couldn't TTC for 6 months afterwards if I had the injection. I was very fortunate that my body did all the work.

Big for your sister.

[Mildez]

Its not common for a diagnosed ectopic pregnancy to resolve themselves once its confirmed in the tube which is the most common form of ectopic. They can suspect an ectopic pregnancy based on slow rising HCG levels or levels that rise and fall but its probably more accurate to say pregnancy of unknown location. Treatment is usually surgery or methotrexate depending on what gestation the pregnancy is at and those that do resolve themself can damage the tube (if its in the tube) increasing the chances of ectopic pregnancy again. Often if the pregnancy is of unknown location they will leave treatment whilst watching what the HCG does and scans to see if there is any change to the appearance of the tubes/ovary etc

With ectopic pregnancy bleeding usually occurs as progesterone is not high enough to stop the lining of the uterus coming away which is why alot of people still get what they think is a period or a m/c. When bleeding occurs its usually not heavy and can be described as a mucousy pink/brown or prune juice colour not the typical brighter red with clots you would expect with a complete miscarriage.

Are they suspecting ectopic based on your sisters symptoms or has a scan confirmed there is a mass in her tube? If there is a mass the chances of it resolving on its own are not as likely and I'd say the methotrexate or surgery would be the preferred method of treatment.

Rach75 is right about methotrexate increasing the risk of NTD and many Drs don't inform women correctly about when to ttc again. The good thing about methotrexate is if it works you can save the tube although if a lady has one good healthy tube her chances of conceiving again are basically the same as someone with 2 good tubes. Its when the tubes are damaged that the chances of having trouble conceiving are increased.