Ectopic experiences?

[lilmisscaviar]

Hello, I posted this question in the first trimester section but didn't get too many responses so I thought I would try here.

I have been having this stabbing type pain primarily in my left side, though sometimes in my right side, though it only lasts for a second. The pain in my left side sometimes can last up to an hour before it goes away. It leaves me doubled over in pain. It is a local pain that I can pinpoint it, right near the inside of my hip bone, not an all-around general pain like AF cramps. I have not had any bleeding so far but it is early days. My midwife appointment is on Tuesday and I will mention this to her.

Anyways my questions to those who have had an ectopic pregnancy: what week were you when you found out it was ectopic? Did you have any unusual symptoms or was it a complete surprise?

 

[GI_Jane]

From my experience the pain from my tubal ectopic was on one side only. The pain would come and go, sometimes it was mostly a sharp pain and sometimes a dull ache over the ovary and in my back like kidney area of the same side. From 5 weeks I had the pain on and off with no bleeding so I didn't think too much of it until 9 weeks when the pain got very serious, had spotting and needed the surgery. Prior to that I had the usual early pregnancy symptoms, a little bit of nausea, bloating, boobs a little sore etc. There was nothing indicating it was going to be ectopic until the pain was ridiculous, the scan indicated a pregnancy of unknown location and my serial HCG measurements where not going down ruling out a natural miscarriage.

You do get tugging and stretching in early pregnancy so perhaps this is what you are experiencing.

 

[Dollybird]

From the start of my evtopic pregnancy I had a dull ache down one side just as the pp has described. I also had heavy bleeding initially followed by dark brown "sticky" discharge. Like prune juice (tmi I know!) which the midwife told me can be a classic symptom. I had a late bfp and my numbers never rose that high. They discovered my extopic at 6 weeks but suspected of from 5 weeks. I wouldn't worry too much ive had two non ectpic pregnancies since (sadly one was a MMC at 9+5) and both caused me to experience one sided pain intermittently. Usually that can be caused by a cyst that was created when the ovary releases the egg- a lueteal cyst. Xxx

 

[gabriella_x]

When I had my ectopic in 2011, I had no symptoms of pregnancy whatsoever, and no pain at all. I was in my lounge, with a workout dvd on having a laugh with a friend and it came up on the screen not to attempt the excercise if pregnant and I stopped dead, realising I was late for AF. Took a test and sure enough it was positive.
2 days later, I started bleeding very heavily with mild cramping- figured I was having a mc. Went to hospital and after a couple of scans and some tests, they booked me in for a laparoscopy to confirm ectopic. I then had to start methotrexate injections to abort the pregnancy.

So really, after all that, the answer to your question would be that I was around 7weeks when I found out, and as I mentioned no symptoms whatsoever - normal or abnormal. The pregnancy itself was a huge shock, let alone it being ectopic!

Fx for you. Hoping everything is where it should be and sticks there x

 

[lilmisscaviar]

GI Jane - My midwife told me the same thing when I called her, that it sounded to her like stretching pains. I will see her on Tuesday for my first appointment... don't know if she'll order an early ultrasound or not since I'm not bleeding. I'm so afraid if it is ectopic she'll wait until it is too late to do anything about it. I'm very sorry for you loss though... sounds like a very painful and traumatic experience!

Dollybird - That is very useful to know about the "prune juice bleeding"... I've always wondered if the bleeding from ectopic was different from normal early pregnancy spotting and I will surely be aware of it! I'm also glad you mentioned about a late bfp... I wondered about that too. I'm so sorry about your loss though

Gabriella - I'm glad they were able to save your tube but my condolences go out to you that you had to experience that. Thank you for sharing it though... it was really helpful information!