Question for Those Who Have Had a Ruptured Ectopic

Back in the 1930s, my MIL had both a tube and an ovary removed. She went on to have 5 more children, including a set of twins! People were so ignorant then, they told her whatever she had next--girl or boy, she'd have from then on. Well, the next pregnancy was a set of fraternal twins---one girl and one boy! LOL! My husband was #7 of 8 children.

Hi L.,

I had the same scenario in May 2005. I didn't know I was pregnant and it took a few days to figure out what happened. When they did the laparscopy they found a bunch of clotting on the good tube/ovary so I was worried that both were lost.

I did have the HSG preformed in June of 2006 and got pregnant with DS#2 in August of 2006. My recommendation is to wait on the HSG. I thought it was really painful, the doctors said the flow was normal and they did not believe it 'cleaned' anything out to allow me to get pregnant. I'm now pregnant with #3 and that was without any assistance or procedures. I know it's painful to go through, but it's not hopeless.

Good luck!

I also had an ectopic pregnancy that ruptured years ago. They removed that tube during emergency surgery. We tried for about a year before I had the other tube evaluated and they said it was clear. However, I went on to have another ectopic (without rupture this time because I knew the symptoms). Now the tube is permanently scarred and blocked. I do have a 3 year old daughter thanks to modern technology. My advice is that if they did an exploratory lap, I would ask if they visualized that the tube was clear and unblocked, if they didn't and only examined the outside of the tube, ask for the HSG. Good luck!

My heart goes out to you and your family.
I had a ruptured ectopic last year. It was very traumatic and extremely painful. I lost my right ovary and tube and second child. The Lord was and is our strength. I know your loss and pray you will not have to ever experience that again.
I did have and HSG. A little painful but nothing compared to the results. Results showed my only tube is blocked.
If your insurance will cover it- a second opinion never hurts. Maybe you guys should recover from this and after trying to conceive for a while go through the test if needed. Just my opinion. I wish you well

L.,

I'm so sorry for your loss. I have not had an ectopic pregnancy myself but know several ladies who have lost a tube due to ectopic pregnancies and gone on to successfully conceive and carry pregnancies to term afterwards.

If your doc has given your right tube a clean bill of health, I would assume that it is clear as she says and wouldn't think it necessary to put yourself through another procedure. The HSG is not extremely painful but is rather uncomfortable -- I did have one of those. However, if it would ease your mind and your doc will do it, it may be worth it to you.

You might consider asking for a very early ultrasound when you become pregnant again to make sure that the pregnancy is in the uterus where it belongs. Ectopics are a bit more common in IVF patients so some IVF docs make a practice of doing a vaginal u/s early on -- i.e., when the hcg levels top 1,000. While that wouldn't prevent the grief of losing another pregnancy in the unlikely event that an ectopic were again discovered, at least it would give you the peace of mind in knowing that all is well or ensuring that if there were a problem, you were treated before becoming endagered.

Hope that helps,

L.

I had a rupture also - left tube removal (partial) and both ovaries remained. I didn't start trying to conceive again until about 2 years later....it took an additional 4 - I believe with all my heart it was God's work....and lets not forget a womans pressure on herself!!! I did however have a great pregnancy - There were other loses - but nothing to worry about as far as the ectopic issue was concerned - don't get me wrong - I was truly paranoid!!!! With every positive pregnancy test....came lots of blood work to check and make sure all is well....or not....

Recover - heal - and know that you didn't do anything wrong. That was my battle - what did I do? I admit - it was a painful recovery emotionally for me - but over time - it got better.

Good luck.....I will have you in my prayers.....

L.,

I had the exact thing happen to me...although, I didn't even know that I was pregnant..( I was 6 weeks along, and had a regular period)..they tries to save the tube, but couldn't..I still had the other tube and both ovaries as well....my dr. told me to wait three months to try again, as my body need time to heal...we did, and we got pregnant on the first try. Good luck to you, and try not to worry!

I am sorry for your loss. I know how difficult it is. I experienced a bi-lateral ectopic pregnancy in Aug 05. There was a pregnancy in each tube. They were able to save the tubes, but said I had to have a HSG (which I had already had before for fertility problems and it is not too bad) before I could try to get pregnant again. They just shoot dye up through your system to see if the tube is open. I was also told that I would most likely never be able to safely get pregnant again. Well, I never got to do the HSG because I was pregnant on my first cycle after the ectopic (SURPRISE!!) and he is a healthy 2 1/2 yr old now. I also recently had another pregnancy that was in the uterus (unfortunately miscarried, but had nothing to do with the previous ectopic). I would go ahead with the HSG because it won't hurt to know what shape your tube is in because you don't want to experience another ectopic. Good luck with your decision & your future pregnancies.

Hi, Hope that you are having a wonderful day and have gotten great resposes so far. My mother who is now in her eightys lost her left tube and overy during her first pregnacy. She went on to have 5 wonderful healthy childrn with out any problems. have a great day.

L.,

I am so sorry, and I know that this is a very painful time. I have not gone through the ectopic, but I did have a miscarriage. One of my friends had a similar situation, and since she struggled to get pregnant with her first child, she thought she would have a hard time conceiving, however, they ended up getting pregnant just a few months later. I don't know about the procedure, but if it will reduce your stress level, then I would have it.

Best wishes.

L.,

My first pregnancy was ectopic. 14 years later I have 4 healthy girls (lost one between #2/#3). Actually tried to conceive for 2 years prior to this. After ectopic no problem at all to conceive, never had HSG procedure. Good luck, before you know it, you will have little ones everywhere.

If I were you I would have the HSG done. It will tell you if your tube is clear. The procedure is done with a dye. You may feel paranoid, but you will know for sure if the tube is clear of any obstruction. I would get it done.

Hi L.,

So sorry about your ectopic. It is as painful emotionally as a miscarriage. I did not have a ruptured ectopic, but I did have an ectopic preganancy. I didn't have a chance to read your other responses, so this may be a duplicate. Anyway, My doctor had to go in and terminate the ectopic pregnancy. The drugs they usually use did not work and I was on the verge of a rupture (11 weeks pregnant). Anyway, he terminated the pregnancy, said this happens sometimes, but I could try again in 3 months. In the mean time he sent me for the HSG test. I highly recommend it. It isn't that uncomfortable and it basically opens your tubes so they can make sure they are healthy, etc. I've also heard you are very fertile and more likely to conceive the 1st 3 months after and HSG. In my case, they discovered my tubes were a mess. I have a tubal disease known as SIN. It was so painful to get the news, but I was also greatful. Many couples go through years of infertility because of a problem like mine. If it hadn't been for the ectopic preganacy (It was a miracle I concieved at all) and then the HSG test, then I wouldn't have known for many years that IVF was our only option. Good luck.

I had 2 ectopic pregnancies, one in each tube. I did have an HSG done a year or 2 later when I started fertility treatments. I got pregnant with twins through in-vitro and then got pregnant naturally after that. Good luck!

If it will give you piece of mind than do it. I had two miscarriages between Oct 07 and Jan 08. I started having severe pain on my left side in the abdomen area. They kept blaming it on cysts, but there weren't any big ones. I instinctively knew they were wrong. On top of that I hadn't been able to get pregnant again. They finally gave me the HSG and one month later I was pregnant. Still am, and due in 8 weeks! Follow your instincts, it;s your body and you know it best!