Ectopic?

Hi G., I went through a similar experience in September. I went for a couple ultra sounds, and multiple blood tests for weeks on end before they finally decided it had to be ectopic. I have a great doctor who allowed time to pass before making any harsh decisions. (I wasn't in any pain either so before jumping to the ectopic result, we waited to see if something would change) Unfortunately in my situation, it was ectopic and I had to get an injection in my lower back to stop the pregnancy. They couldn't see it on my ultrasounds and my HCG's were going up, but very slowly. I really hope this is not the case for you. Keep thinking positive.

My friend is an ultrasound technition and she says that if it was an echtopic pregnancy you would be like on the floor writhing in pain.

My only advice is that if you're anti-abortion you should wait it out a little before you take any drugs to end the pregnancy.

Have another ultrasound. My first ulstrsound showed nothing,even though I had all of the symptoms of pregnancy.My problems was a ultrasound tech. who wasn't very good. A few weeks later, my 2nd ultrasound showed a healthy fetus. My son is 7 1/2 years old now. Good luck.

Hi G.,

The first thing I will say to you is trust your instincts!!! They won't fail you.

When I was pregnant with my daughter (now 2), I experienced some odd discharge so was asked by my doctor to come in earlier than normal (around 5 1/2 weeks). At that time, they could see the sac but no fetus or heartbeat. Not worrying at the time, it being so early, I went home to enjoy 4th of July weekend without a care in the world. Then suddenly, come Tuesday July 5th, things came crashing down.

My doctor called with the news that my blood tests came back and that my progesterone level was "dangerously low". I should have been at least 11 but was only registering 5.7. He told me in no uncertain terms that my pregnancy was not viable and that I could begin miscarrying as early as a half an hour from then. I was devastated! I had been trying to get pregnant for months and had finally had success! Now I was being told that my body was rejecting my baby.

At first I argued with him, asking him what kinds of supplements he was going to put me on to counteract the low progesterone. He told me that it didn't work that way, that my progesterone was low because it was my body's way of acknowledging there was a problem, most likely chromosomal. He said that at my age (then 33) 1 in 3 pregnancies end in miscarriage, so I really shouln't be that surprised. He also said that after delivering over 2,000 babies, he'd never seen anyone with a progesterone level lower than 6 deliver a healthy full term baby. Well I am here to tell you that he can no longer say that again!

After doing much of my own research, and soul searching, and talking endlessly with my husband about what to do, I called the doctor back the next day and insisted that I be put on progesterone supplements. He agreed because he said they couldn't cause me any harm, only delay the inevitable by tricking my body into thinking things were ok for a little while longer. I began the supplements that night and was scheduled for a follow-up ultrasound 5 days later (or a week after I had received the initial results of my blood tests). This was probably the longest 5 days of my life. I was on a rollercoaster, one day feeling like taking supplements was hopeless but the next day feeling like they were working - I still felt very pregnant, with sore boobs, nausea, etc. I knew in my heart that I just had to be pregnant! Somehow I just freaking knew.

When that fateful ultrasound appointment arrived, my doctor told me that if he didn't see a heartbeat, he knew with 100% certainty that my pregnancy was not viable. I braced myself for the worst. I even thought I would vomit in the parking garage before going into the office. I wil never ever forget that moment for the rest of my life, when the ultrasound tech showed me and my husband our baby's heartbeat - there it was, flickering away on the screen. She was perfect! My doctor was somewhat in disbelief and cautioned us to tread lightly over the next few weeks because anything could still happen. But we knew we were over the hump - we just knew she was going to be fine.

I was put on "high risk" and came in for ultrasounds every week until I was at 10 weeks, when the placenta takes over producing your hormones and my doctor felt like my progesterone levels were safe. The day he delivered our perfect baby girl, my doctor told my story to every nurse in the delivery room. And as he handed her to me for the first time, he told me that I'd changed the way he would practice from now on - and that my daughter had made him think twice about the benefits of progesterone supplements. He'll now automatically prescribe them to any woman who has low progesterone and hope for the best. This was a far cry from the dooms day phone call that I had received from him. And I was happy to know that what I had gone through did not happen in vain - that other women over the last 2 years have been given a different conversation when they're progesterone levels were found to be low, and hopefully supplements have helped them too.

Anyway, I know this is a different set of circumstances than what you are going through. But I think the essence remains the same - don't give up hope just because of one test or one phone call with your doctor's office! There is still sooooo much about pregnancy that remains a mystery - there is still soooo much that they just don't know. If you feel pregnant, and your gut is telling you that your baby is fine, cling to that until you know for certain that you are wrong. Sometimes techs miss things in ultrasounds - it's all about the way they maneuver that wand. It could be that you are not as far along as you think. There are a million explanations. So don't give up hope!!!

As for the inappropriate conversation that nurse had with you, I could not agree more. I think, sadly, that OBs and their nurses see so much of this stuff on a daily basis that it starts to become simply a job for them. They are so desensitized to it that they forget about the human element involved - how important each pregnancy is to the woman they are talking to. I'm sure she felt like delivering the news to you as soon as she could and as honestly as she could was the best approach. But doing so with a bit of a better bedside manner would have been nice.

In any event, please try to stay positive!!! And please keep us posted once you know for sure what's going on. Baby dust to you!!!

A similar thing happened to a friend of mine. She had been trying to get pregnant for 3 years and was doing infertility treatments, but had to take a month off for insurance changing. Anyway, they thought she was farther along than she was and had an ultrasound at about 6 wks. Her hormone levels were increasing, but they couldn't see the sac with the ultrasound. They ended up sending her to the hospital for a more in-depth ultrasound to try to get a better view. They were also talking ectopic with her too and she had no pain either. Turns out everything was fine, she just wasn't as far as they had expected her to be. So, I'd ask your dr. or midwife for some more info before jumping to ectopic conclusions. I'm sorry the nurse wasn't more sensitive, sometimes they can be a little thoughtless. Good luck with it all and keep some hope!

Hi G.,

I was in your shoes 7 1/2 years ago. And my son is 7 1/2 years old. I knew I was a high risk for an ectopic pregnancy. And my story is very similar to yours. I had all the blood work done and as soon as the results were in they had me in for an ultrasound and could not find the sac. Needless to say I was devistated. I drove myself to my doctors' office and spoke with his nurse. I pleaded to wait to schedule any procedures. And explained that I knew my cycle very well, I don't ovulate on the 15th day of the cycle like they set things by. I ovulate on the 17th or 18th day of the cycle. And asked if there may be a chance that the sac hadn't started developing yet. She agreed that there was a very small chance. So I pleaded if we could wait through the weekend. I explained that I understood the danger I was in if it was ectopic and it ruptured. I told her I would stay home the entire weekend and watch for any symptoms and immediately go to an emergency room. So, they agreed and had me take more blood test on Saturday. First thing Monday morning my doctor called and said my hcg levels were very high, to immediately go and get the ultrasound done.Those 3 days made a huge difference. In the ultrasound, we saw our little lima bean. And his heart was beating so beautifully. He is now 7 1/2 years old. I agree with your hesitation, you know your cycle, work out the days, be aware of the dangers and the symptoms of ectopic pregnancy. I hope that helps. Good Luck and you will be in my prayers.
V. K

I had something similar, but not exactly the same. They found the sac, but couldn't see any evidence of the baby. My OB recommended I have a D&C and refused to wait and do follow up tests. I found a different OB who was willing to wait and a week later the follow up ultrasound confirmed there was a baby, it was just too soon to see him the first time. I was around 5 weeks gestated then and like you my HCG levels were rising, but I did have spotting which was the concern that brought me to the hospital for the ultrasound. All was well though and that baby will turn 10 this December.

Before taking any steps to end the pregnancy, I'd definitely get another opinion.

I wish you all the best and the happiest of outcomes!

G.,

My heart goes out to you and what you are going through. I read what women who have experienced similar things have said and I pray you make the right decision. I have know many women who struggled with your issue of infertility and I myself did have an U/S tech who left me with information that there was a problem. A second opinion, perhaps a level 2 at a specialists is something you and your DR can agree. It is your right. Tests don't tell everything. My tests said I have placenta previa. At the level 2 it was ruled out. Our baby was born with special needs, but God doesn't give you anything you can't handle.
I'm praying you get the answers you need and you are safe and healthy.

J.

My heart goes out to you. Looking for good advise - you've come to the right place. Just want you to know that other moms are thinking and praying for you and your family.

A second opinion never hurts. The ultra sound should help to see what is going on. I'll keep you in my prayers.

I don't have an answer for you at all. Sorry. I just wanted to let you know that I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

G. -

I am sorry that you are going through this. I know it can be very stressful. I just had an ectopic and a miscarriage in February. They could not find the sac. I had to have daily blood work done. My hcg levels were rising and then they went way down. This is one of the main indicators of an ectopic. I did not have any pain, even with pelvic exams. I did do the methotextrate shot to disolve the ectopic. It was not as bad as I imagined it could be. Please feel free to email me with any questions. I am curious as to who your doctor is!
Take Care
S.

I've experienced it before. Etopic pregnacies are very dangerous. Not trying to scare you but this means you are pregnant within your tubes. If your tubes rupture you can die. This is very serious and nothing to play with. Mines was at the tip of one of my fallopian tube so they had to do a outpatient surgery and take a tip of one of my tubes. I'll get that taken care of right away. God will bless you with another child. You have my prayers.

I am not sure if you received the last response I sent you so I am sending it again...I had the same problem with all 4 of my pregnancies, 2 resulting in miscarriage, 1 being terminated with methotrexate, and 1 being viable with my baby boy being born. Anyway the one that was terminated was done because the ultrasound did not show anything just like yours and the doctor assumed it was ectopic instead of doing everything possible to make sure it was viable, hcg levels were good as yours are..anyway it was terminated. With my 4th pregnancy it was the same and I was worried about the outcome so the ultrasound doctor, because of my past pregnancies, decided to do a vaginal ultrasound and low and behold there was the sac. So my suggestion ask for one so you don't have to go through what I did and beings you have been trying for awhile, good luck and let me know the outcome. I just tried at home insemination last week and am anxiously awaiting to see if it worked.

H.

Always double check. My children are older so this will be a little different. Years ago I was told something was wrong during an ultra sound. They said the baby's heart wasn't beating.Then they decided he was twins. Then they decided he was a downs syndrome baby and the doctor told me to have an abortion. My husband and I at the time told him we wouldn't do that. Point is my almost ten pound baby just got through playing a major role in "High School Musical" at the age of seventeen and is about to graduate highschool. Always double check.

G., I am so sorry to hear how insensitively you were treated. I recommend visiting the site www.pregnancyloss.info. It deals with physical as well as emotional issues involved with miscarriage. Although an ectopic pregnancy hasn't been confirmed, I think you could benefit from it. It could help you learn to deal with such insensitive comments and answer a lot of your questions.

Anything is possible and the nurse did not handle that appropriately at all.

At six weeks it would be difficult to detect the little one. My doctor won't even see a patient until they are eight weeks for that very reason.

Please try to stay positive...though I know that is very hard. I had two beautiful girls and then two miscarriages in a row. The second miscarriage involved twins. I was pretty disappointed and upset. After many vials of blood drawn for tests, they discoverd I have a gene mutation that causes blood clots in my uterus. It is called PAI 1

It is a fairly common condition from what I've read. I'm assuming it can lay dormant for awhile since I had two normal pregnancies. I'm not 40 and about to deliver our first boy. I had to inject a blood thinner the whole pregnancy, but it was worth it.

I hope and will pray that your little one is in there safe and sound. I would also ask if the doctors have every tested you for PAI 1. Do a google search on it to get the full name.

God Bless!!!

Just want to send you a hug as well as thoughts and prayers.

Increasing hcg levels are a good thing. So is the fact that you don't have pain. I'm not a doctor, so not well versed beyond the things I picked up going through infertility myself.

I'll be thinking about you!

Which center are you going to? Many of them need a lot more sensitivity training. I went to FCI for a while and the receptionists kept asking about where my husband was - I am a single mom and so this wasn't exactly helpful.
I would call your doctor and talk to him or her and explain that you didn't understand what the nurse was saying and would like what is going on explained to you.
With IUI, they definitely know how far along you are, so dating can't be the issue. If it is an ectopic, then it is better for you to deal with it before there is pain. They could also do another ultrasound. As ectopics that are left untreated can be dangerous, I would get on the phone with your doctor today.
The very best of luck to you. Fertility treatment is so very hard emotionally.

It is possible that they just could not find the sac a)because the baby was too small, b) it could be a missed miscarriage or c) an etopic pregnancy and they did not check throughly enough.
If I were you, I would get a second opinion as soon as possible. If it is etopic, that can become very serious very quickly. It could cause you to loose a fallopian tube.
My best advice is to research these things yourself and bring a long list of questions to your doctor and to another doctor (that you get a second opinion from).

Good luck with everything. I hope you can get the answers you need.

Oh hon, I am so sorry.

Yes, you definitely need to go back for another ultrasound. TODAY. Having gone through infertility treatments and an early miscarriage myself, I know the hell you're in. You need answers and you need to know for sure whether the pregnancy is ectopic or not. If it is then of course you have no choice but to preserve your fertility and your health, you will have to take the meds. I am very hopeful that they just missed the sac and it is where it should be.

Oh and I also would not walk out of the u/s facility without having a doctor read the u/s. There is no reason why a tech should have NOT seen a sac in the uterus and then not checked the tubes.

Bless your heart...I will keep you in my prayers.

G., Unfortunately I have been through something similar, twice after IVF. One ended in miscarriage and the other was ectopic. I don't know how sure you are about your dates, but I guess if you had injectables and an HCG trigger you are sure? If you know the date of conception then the development should be at a certain size, and at 6 weeks you should even have more than just a sac. That said, miricles do happen so stay on all your vitamins and meds because you never know. But you should probably start to manage your expectations. I don't mean to sound harsh or blunt because I so totally feel for you--I know what a nightmare rollar coaster ride it is to be pg after infertility. The first time for me I kept hoping and thinking they were wrong. My first u/s they could only see a very small (too small sac) and told me I would m/c. Then the next week there was a heartbeat and they said it would be fine. Then the next week still a hb but abnormal sac size and they said it wouldn't be fine. Then 2 weeks later no hb and i had a D&C.
I am now finally pg after my 4th round of IVF, so persistence does pay off eventually.
Hang in there, I am so sorry you have to go through this.

I agree w/ the previous post here. IF you are 6 wks then they should be able to see something if they are not then it is a good possibility of and E.P. I didn't even make it to the 6wk point before mine ruptured, you can't miss that pain let me tell you. I was in doubled over pain most of the, at one point it got even more severe for a few seconds then died down a bit but that was when it burst. I was at work like this all day!! By the time I got to the hosp around midnight I had around 3-4oo ccs of blood sitting in my belly.
Please be careful!!

I'm sorry the nurse was so rude, I know how that feels I lost my first pregnancy when I was 7 weeks pregnant and the midwife was horrible to me so I'm sorry you were put through that.

If your HCG levels are still high and you feel fine I would call and demand to talk to the doctor so you can have the answers you deserve and if they want to do another ultrasound than be it. I would also tell the doctor the way the nurse handled the call right before a weekend.

I wish you and your baby good health, just be positive.

A.
full time working mom with amazing 3yr old daughter and a great husband and father.

Hi G.,

This exact thing happened to me and I was also told that it could be an ectopic pregnancy. I got a positive pregnancy test and when I went to the doctor, we calculated that I was about eight weeks pregnant. He wanted to do an ultrasound just to be sure. When they did the ultrasound they did not see the sac, so my doctor sent me to get my HCG levels tested. My HCG levels were rising, so my doctor said that that was a sign that everything was okay and I was probably not as far along as we thought. I went back for another ultrasound a week later and we saw the sac, it turns out that I was only three weeks along when I found out I was pregnant, so that was why they did not see the baby. That little baby is now a very happy and healthy 10 month old! So you are probably just not as far along as you think. I agree that that nurse did not handle the situation properly. You really need to talk to your doctor about this, and before doing anything drastic I would get a second opinion from another doctor. Good Luck and keep us posted!

Hi there.
I see you got alot of advice. I have gone through infertility treatmetns (the works) and an ectopic pregnancy. Your doctor needs to do an internal ultrasound. They will be able to see where the emryo is located. Mine was almost missed, but because I mentioned a slight little cramp they did the ultrasound. I was pretty far along and they wanted me to go to the hospital right away. I opted for the Methatrexate shot and monitored my progress for 8 weeks. If you go this route please feel free to contact me. I hope that it is not ectopic, but if it is you must act sooner rather than later. If you are seeing a fertility specialist the Dr. should be doing internal ultrasounds anyway and should be able to tell rather quickly what is ging on. You need to be the one to take charge of your health. You need to ask for the tests and answers. I am sorry about your nurse. I also had bad experiences with my first set of Doctors and their insensitivity. You would think that being in the field of infertility they would be prepared to be more sensitive. I guess that is just not the case with everyone. Good luck to you. I will be hoping for the best.

Hi G.,

First of all congratulations to you! I have no experience with ecotopic pregnancy, but maybe you should change your provider or talk to the OB directly and I am really mad about this nurse. She should not be talking about such drastic measures unless there is a confirmed diagnose. If that's not to much of a hassle, I would look for another provider fast, so that any complications could be ruled out or dealt with properly. Good luck to you and your little one!

S.
Mother of 21m daughter and due with #2 in November

Hi G.,
I just know that when my cousin had an eptopic pregnancy hers was very painful. I would think if your levels are normal and your not in pain they should just keep an eye on you.
Congratulations.
T.

Dear G.,
I have been in almost the exact situation as you are in now. I got pregnant on my second round of IUI with injectables, but unfortunetely mine was an ectopic. I think it is a positive sign that you have no pain and that your levels are rising appropriately. I had some stabbing pain before I even knew I was pregnant and while my levels were really high at first they didn't keepy doubling like they should. When I went in for ultrasound at 5 and 1/2 weeks they couldn't find a sac either. I went back a week later and this time a different tech was able to find the sac in my tube in about a minute. Keep praying and thinking good thoughts until you know for absolute sure. I wish you the best of luck!!!!!
Becki