Is it ectopic? - help needed

Hi all
Need help from anyone out there that knows about ectopic pregnancies or has experienced one.

Had 1 blasty transferred on 14th Feb, I started to bleed when normal AF would be likely to occur, this started off a lot but only for a day and night then it went quite light. It got quite watery after that with just some red streaks, sometime brown. Nothing overly ugly or abnormal. I had faint HPT positives before the bleeding then started to bleed and stopped doing them. I suspected ectopic before BT was due because I decided to do a HPT just before BT and it was darker than any of the others. Had BT day earlier (day15) because I suspected an ectopic and had a HCG of 38 (not sure about P4).

Then still suspecting ectopic asked to have the next BT early (Monday 1st) so this was 5days after the first, HCG was up to 190 but P4 only 2.6 (probably because of the bleeding).
Now I have to have another BT on Friday. My biggest concern now is that at night, the last couple of nights and even now I have a bit of shoulder pain (one of the signs), ive also had flu like symptoms and lower back ache (also a sign). Could this occur in normal pregnancy?? Ive also been a little light headed at times (could be normal pg or ectopic sign)
Its too early to have a scan and Im slowly going out of my mind. Any help, diagnosis or encouragemnt would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Loops12 I have everything crossed for you that your pregnancy is not ectopic.
From a midwives point of view I would have liked to see a higher rise. Mine were doubling every 2.5days.

I'll tell you my story with my ectopic just so you have something to compair your experience to. At 15DPO my HCG was 71. I had another two days later and I should have been 17DPO and it was 68. I knew at this moment my pregnancy wasn't viable. 5days later I had a scan which showed nothing. I had been in ED with left sided abdo pain.

A week after my HCG was 68 I started bleeding. It was nothing like my sponataneous m/c 3months earlier. There was no pain and even my period is painful. It was also stringy, basically no tissue to it like my m/c and sometimes my normal AF and it was also very mucousy. Like clear mucous mixed with strings. This went on for 8days.

A few days after I stopped bleeding I did a HPT to see if all the HCG was gone and to my surprise got a very strong quick BFP. I tested again the next day only to get the same thing. I went to my GP who ordered another HCG test but I couldn't have it done until the following day.

That night I couldn't sleep. I had terrible shoulder pain as well as a general uncomfortable feeling all over as well as the left sided pain (although I ovulated the right side according to the scan I had earlier)

I went to work in the morning (as a midwife) and ducked to pathology to have the BT. I checked it online 50mins later and was surprised my HCG was now 5100. This was almost 3weeks after my first BHCG. I knew at that moment it was ectopic because my HCG did go down before rising again. I couldn't leave work so as soon as I finished my shift (found out at 10am and left work at 330pm) I went home got changed and went back to ED and told them staright out I had an ectopic pregnancy. vThey thught I was crazy and tested me again and it was now over 6000 so had risen over 1000 in 6hrs. A scan later revealed my pregnancy was in my right tube. I should have been close to 8weeks then.

When waiting for surgery the consultant asked me about my bleeding and he told me ectopic pregnancy almost always have bleeding and the bleeding is usually mucousy and pink not like a period. So I had the signs right from the start. I was not followed up at the start as it appeared the pregnancy had failed when my HCG was going down.

I also got a BFP at 10DPO and my HPTs took a while to start getting darker. I was very watchful of this as it was the HPT that indicated I m/c the time before.

From my experience as a midwife ectopic pregnancy is more common in IVF especially when there is already tubal damage there. Also ectopic pregnancy is more common when Daddy has sperm problems however I would imagine that isn't a problem when you do IVF as they do wash the spermies so to speak or do ICSI.

I am really concerned about ectopic pregnancy when we do IVF as I feel we already have such a high risk and unfortunately IVf only increases our risk.

I'd say its too early to be sure exactly what is going on at the moment and unfortunately only time will tell. A scan should show where bub is once the HCG is over 2000. Do you have another BT soon to see what the HCG is doing?

I often get shoulder tip pain when I am not pregnant so I think it could be possible to get when you are pregnant. I have everything crossed for you for a healthy bub in 8months.

Mildez ~ thanks so much hun. Good to hear from a midwifes perspective too.
Some of my symptoms etc sound similar to what you had and then other aspects not so similar. Still very much appearing to be ectopic however.
I havent had a fall in HCG but that doesnt mean that didint occur without me knowing.
I didnt have stringy bleeding but I did have pinkish for a bit and mucousey. Now im not bleeding at all.
I think the shoulder pain and the back pain is the biggest giveaway.
And its interesting you say it can be because of sperm issues, will certainly ask my FS about that and it will be interesting to know how it has occurred if it is in fact ectopic. Could tell us why we've struggled to fall pg naturally, aside male factor.

I have another BT this Friday - so still another couple of days to stress.

I guess I just have to let nature take its course now and at least I have some idea thanks to a few kind people on here such as yourself and so hopefully have caught it early.
TIME WILL TELL. At least I guess we got that 1 step closer.
Thanks for your wishes and support xo

:hug: Loops,

I have been thinking so much about you hun. I don't have any advice on ect pregs but I had some implantation bleeding similar to what you described with DD, and flu like symptoms and back and abdo ache are normal signs as well.

You know I will be keeping everything crossed for you hun :pray::pray::pray: so hard for you.

all my love to you Lou

Nae x x x

Loops12 your HCG rise is certainly alot higher then mine was (mine been ectopic)
I have everything crossed for you that bub is safe and healthy.
The info I got from IVF Australia said ectopic pregnancy occurs in approx 4% of IVF pregnancies and nearly always only occurs in women with tubal damage. I guess it stuck out to me as thats my problem so I always read up on that aspect of it.

Thanks Nae Nae hun. Yeh I think its really hard to tell one way or the other until I have my next BT tomorrow. Although I have been getting strong shoulder ache and have read that is a sign of ectopic and all the other symptoms as well. Although I do realise they are all pg signs as well. So it is really hard to know. Guess just have to let the universe decide.
Hope you guys are all well, must catch up soon.
Thanks for your wishes! xoxo

Mildez ~ thank you so much for sharing your experiences etc. Will just have to wait and see I suppose and will be very interesting to see how it has occurred if ectopic.
Take care xo

Loops12 thinking of you and I hope this wait is over to find out what was going on. Best wishes and I have everything crossed for you that all is ok.

Oh hun, I hope & pray it's not an ectopic pg. Thinking of you and sending you big hugs.
GL hun.

Beata x

best of luck with everything huni. i hope your ok xx

Thanks ladies.
Well my HCG is up to 1300 but my progesterone is only at 12. Not sure what that really means, I know the HCG is pretty good but still getting a lot of back and shoulder ache.
No bleeding though.
Will keep you posted.
Thanks for all your lovely thoughts and wishes! xo

Hi Ladies
Well Tuesday night I bled very heavily with clots and all. So I figured I was miscarrying.
Had ultrasound the next day on Wed just in case it was actully ectopic. The ultrasound showed no evidence of ectopic in the tubes - what a relief! Something was showing up in the uterus about the size a feotus should be for where Im at (approx 5.5 weeks) but there was no heart beat. The nurse said could be just a little too early. She also said my cervix is closed which is a good thing.

So anyway probably another blood test and ultrasound to have :shakehead:
Not holding my breath but glad its not ectopic.
Thanks for all your support and prayers etc xoxo

Loops I am so glad to hear your pregnancy isn't ectopic. I am still :pray::pray: for you that bub has a heart beat when you have another scan and the bleeding was just a scare. If you scan was at 5.5weeks not always can they see a heartbeat. I hope its just a case of it been too early. Once again I am sorry this wait has been so difficult for you and its taken so long to get answers and your still not exactly sure what is going on. FX for a great outcome.

Thanks so much Mildez! I still have a little bit of hope I guess as that is what the nurse said that 5.5weeks can be a bit early. If not a viable pg I will still be happy we got that one step closer despite all of the stress.
xoxo

Big :hug: Loops

I am glad to hear that it isn't ectopic, it does sound too early for a HB, I had a scan on Monday night and on the external then the OB "thought" that she saw a HB, on the Tuesday my OB did an internal and found a HB, and that was a over 7 weeks, I have also had a heap of bleeding, and cramps, and actually had two sacs, one non viable, which ruptured night before last, and is in the cause of the bleeding, but bub is up high on the RHS and the bleeding is on the LHS down to the cervix.

I completely understand how scary it can be, and jsut letting you know I will be keeping you in my thoughts xxoo :comfort: Grow bubba nice and strong xxoo

Still :pray: for you loops !! I have everything crossed for you!! And I am soo glad to hear its not ectopic either :) xo

Thanks Beema and Miss K xoxo

Wow Beema - you have been through a lot then too. Im glad you have the 1 lil one doing well. All the best for a H&H nine months. I had a very clotty bleed the night before my scan then nothing and now today ive started bleeding again. So my body is obviously right out of whack and anything could be happening. So either way Im not gunna stress.
Just wait and see and hope for the best! But thanks for giving me the hope that it may have just been a bit early - hugs

:hug: Loops the bleeding can be very scary, from 9-11 weeks last time I bled, but mostly brown with red clots but not too bad and we got through it.

Rest up as much as you can, I feel that has made a difference for me. It is the first time in a long time I actually put myself first, stopped work for the week, and left DD in daycare for the three days she was booked in and actually rested.

Do you know when youa re having another BT and US? I hope the wait isn't too long as I know how hard it can be waiting and bleeding :comfort:
Take care and thinking of you xxoo

Hey Lou,

my new phone won't send text msgs I have to check with dad as it was his phone as he is tech savvy, so sorry hun.

What I wrote in my text was to please remember what happened in the very early stages in my preg with Shae. At 6w and 5 days all we saw was a sac and nothing else no foetus no heartbeat just a sac. It wasn't until my scan at 9w and 4d that we saw a HB and we measured 8 weeksish so were behind in what I thought it was.

Please know that you are constantly in my thoughts I have been sending loving, sticky, baby growing vibes your way and have been :pray: so hard for you and DH.

You know you are welcome around home here any time, if you want someone to cry on, or to vent to or to just have a chat with or for someone to give you a massive hug (I give good ones).

sending you loads of love babe

Nae x x x

Thanks ladies! xo

Beema ~ I will rest as much as I can. Nurse just rang and said the report still hasnt been written and so I dont have any idea what my FS thoughts are yet - very frustrating. So not sure when my next BT's and scans will be yet. I just have to try and not stress.

Nae Nae ~ thanks sweetie. I can remember that you didnt get HB first up but I couldnt remember when it was that you saw the HB. That gives me confidence - could have been late implant I guess.
I def would love to come and see you at some point - its been so long!
Hoping you are all well xoxoxo

hey hun,

just wanted to let you know that i am thinking of you and hope and pray that everything works out for you xxx

Thanks mummy-2-chloe. Looks like ectopic has been ruled out but now Im worried it could be blighted ovum :wall:
Will let you know when I know.

Thanks so much for your wishes means a lot. I hope you get another miracle ASAP too. xo

How are you coping hun? That waiting can be so difficult, just letting you know that I am thinking of you, and I hope you get some clear answers soon :hug:

Thanks everyone for your support, means a lot to me and DH. Unfortunately my last BT Friday showed my HCG has gone down from 1300 two weeks ago before big bleed to only 50 now. So looks like miscarry or blighted ovum.
Thankful its not ectopic and we got that 1 step closer. Would not have got through this journey without u all, so thanks heaps xo

Oh hunni, I'm so sorry :comfort: I was so praying little bub would hand in there. I wish you with all my heart a successful pg in the very near future, be gentle to yourself and keep that dream alive!
Thinking of you :hug:

Beata x

:cry: oh Lou I am soooooo sorry hun, its so unfair, you guys have been through so much I am devastated for you.
I have been :pray: so very hard that your miracle baby will come to you soon.

I wish I could say more but words are failing me right now ..... Lets hope that tractor sells soon ;)

All my love to you both, be gentle with yourself, take time to grieve.

May your little angel always watch over you both and help guide you closer to your dreams. Fly free little one.

Nae x x

Thanks Beata and Nae Nae, Im pretty devestated but doing ok too. I kind of new from the start that things werent good so hopefully next time things will run smoothly from the start.
DH has been great and although he's upset we've been discussing a holiday and trying to be as positive as possible.

Nae ~ Im sure our lil angel will have joined his/her aunty Maggs up in heaven and they'll both be looking out for us, thanks hun. I dont need many words either I know you care and you know what its like too. You guys give me so much hope now that you have your little darling. xoxo Luv ya

:hug: :hug: Loops, I am so sorry to hear your news hun, will be thinking of you xxoo

Thanks Beema, appreciate it xoxo