last pregnancy ended ectopic, how soon should i get ultrasound this time?

dynamicMel · March 2016

Hey found out my last pregnancy was ectopic in Dec I was 10 weeks had pregnancy and right tube removed. I believe I am about 5weeks along now OB can't see me for another 2 weeks. I haven't had my pregnancy confirmed. Should I try to see family dr to confirm and book ultrasound before my apt April 4, Orr should I just wait it out? I had no symptoms of ectopic last time I m just afraid it could happen again.

comealongponds · March 2016

I would ask your OB if they feel you need an early ultrasound. As far as I know, It's not routine practice to offer early ultrasounds despite a previous loss, but that will vary from Doctor to doctor.

Eta: I'm sorry for your loss, please come join us on the PGAL threads!

KilgraveMadeMeDoIt · March 2016

While I don't want to frighten you, you're right that it could happen again since the recurrence rate is pretty high for ectopic pregnancies. My last was ectopic and I was told that I should have an early ultrasound by 7 weeks at the latest to reduce the risk of needing surgery (ectopic pregnancies can be treated without surgery, but it needs to be pretty early.) My old OB told me he'd prefer to do one at 6 weeks for me, given my history. But that's based on my personal history and yours is different so you need to talk to your own doctor.

It can't hurt to see your family doctor and explain and ask for his/her recommendation. I would if I were in your position.

Good luck. I very much hope this pregnancy is healthy and in the right place! I know how scary it can be not knowing.

KilgraveMadeMeDoIt · March 2016

comealongponds said:

I would ask your OB if they feel you need an early ultrasound. As far as I know, It's not routine practice to offer early ultrasounds despite a previous loss, but that will vary from Doctor to doctor.

Eta: I'm sorry for your loss, please come join us on the PGAL threads!

It's different with ectopics vs. miscarriage. One previous ectopic pregnancy raises your risk to about 10% (from 1-2%) and two previous ectopics raise your risk to around 25%, so doctors will usually do an early scan in women with a history of ectopic pregnancy since it can be a life-threatening complication.

DunkinDecaf · March 2016

With both my pregnancies following my ectopic my doctor wanted me in for an ultrasound at 6 weeks. Like @KilgraveMadeMeDoItsaid, you're at a higher risk for another ectopic now and they need to be diagnosed as soon as possible.

I'm sorry for your loss. Hopefully this little one found the right spot!

comealongponds · March 2016

KilgraveMadeMeDoIt said:

comealongponds said:

I would ask your OB if they feel you need an early ultrasound. As far as I know, It's not routine practice to offer early ultrasounds despite a previous loss, but that will vary from Doctor to doctor.

Eta: I'm sorry for your loss, please come join us on the PGAL threads!

It's different with ectopics vs. miscarriage. One previous ectopic pregnancy raises your risk to about 10% (from 1-2%) and two previous ectopics raise your risk to around 25%, so doctors will usually do an early scan in women with a history of ectopic pregnancy since it can be a life-threatening complication.

Ugh baby brain. Note to self: don't bump until fully awake and caffienated.

KilgraveMadeMeDoIt · March 2016

comealongponds said:

KilgraveMadeMeDoIt said:

comealongponds said:

I would ask your OB if they feel you need an early ultrasound. As far as I know, It's not routine practice to offer early ultrasounds despite a previous loss, but that will vary from Doctor to doctor.

Eta: I'm sorry for your loss, please come join us on the PGAL threads!

It's different with ectopics vs. miscarriage. One previous ectopic pregnancy raises your risk to about 10% (from 1-2%) and two previous ectopics raise your risk to around 25%, so doctors will usually do an early scan in women with a history of ectopic pregnancy since it can be a life-threatening complication.

Ugh baby brain. Note to self: don't bump until fully awake and caffienated.

Words to live by. Only reason I'm fully conscious is I had to be up at 6am and so I had two cups of tea in me already...

sugar9277 · March 2016

Definitely a question for your OB. The receptionist usually makes standard appointments based off your LMP, but in this case, ask to speak to your OB about when your appointment needs to be.

MrsDramaK · March 2016

Ectopic Pregnancy is a concern for me as well. I have not had one previously, but I have a history of endometriosis so I know that increases my risk for ectopic.

dynamicMel · March 2016

I did end up booking with my family Dr for Monday next week since I only had a faint positive they want to confirm the pregnancy. I will ask for an ultrasound so it can be done at 6weeks instead of after 7 (if I wait to see the OB) I pray that this pregnancy is in the right place. For my ectopic pregnancy I always had negative test results a home so a faint positive might be a step in the right direction. :-)

KilgraveMadeMeDoIt · March 2016

dynamicMel said:

I did end up booking with my family Dr for Monday next week since I only had a faint positive they want to confirm the pregnancy. I will ask for an ultrasound so it can be done at 6weeks instead of after 7 (if I wait to see the OB) I pray that this pregnancy is in the right place. For my ectopic pregnancy I always had negative test results a home so a faint positive might be a step in the right direction. :-)

My ectopic didn't start turning tests positive until 18dpo so I know what you mean. It was pretty clearly abnormal from the get-go, though my beta did double normally at first (though it was really low.) I hope everything is okay with this one and that you have an uneventful ultrasound.

stepamos · March 2016

I had an early ultrasound already to rule out another ectopic. I would definitely request one soon. I don't want to lose my other tube so I was pretty adamant on getting checked early.

srh71 · March 2016

i am five weeks and will be going in a couple of days. my last pregnancy four years ago was ectopic and was just at the 7 week mark when i found out and had my right tube and pregnancy removed. i am not having the same pain i did then (in retrospect) but i am going in ASAP to check things out.

Jennmiller1 · March 2016

My last pregnancy ended up to be ectopic and rupture Jan 23. We are pregnant again and out doctor said to call right away , and they have been doing lab work and monitoring my levels for about 2 weeks now. We are 5 weeks pregnant tomorrow . Value are rising like they should which am very happy about, but would feel much better with ultrasound confirmation. Call in and speak to nurses, might have better results, docs brought me right in and have been monitoring. Good Luck!!!!

dynamicMel · March 2016

Receptionist at the OB office kinda ticked me off I called last Monday one day after my faint positive test I told her my past pregnancy was ectopic and OB said to call right away if I did get pregnant, receptionist said call back next week I didn't want to be pushy so I said ok and I did wait a week to call back this week different receptionist said there were no apps till April 4! I wish they just booked me an appt last week when I called the first time! I m glad I was able to make some progress on my own getting into my family Dr first. Just give me the ok that everything is normal and I will go on with this on my own until I need routine apps. I don't need to be pampered with special attention I just need to know that things are ok or not so I don't loose my left tube too! (end rant)

dynamicMel · March 2016

I am sorry to hear about you ladies in similar situations thanks for sharing

stepamos · March 2016

@dynamicMel, I would be very frustrated with the receptionist, especially if your doctor said to call right away. I wouldn't have been ok waiting that long, seems unnecessarily risky when your last tube is at stake. They could at least they could send you for betas. I've had betas and an ultrasound at 5 weeks.

dynamicMel · March 2016

So I ended up at emerge over the weekend because of bleeding Thursday I had an ultrasound which showed NOTHING had low hcg levels for "5weeks5days" (290) Saturday levels dropped to 237 no clots with my bleeding Monday my levels rose to 260 had a second ultrasound showed ectopic in my left tube fortunately this time we caught it early so I took medication to dissolve it.

m6agua · March 2016

@dynamicmel oh no! I am so sorry. Glad they were able to find it early for you. Take care of yourself.

comealongponds · March 2016

I'm so sorry @dynamicMel. Take care of yourself.

NordyMN89 · March 2016

I'm sorry @dynamicMel you're in my T&Ps. Glad they caught it early enough, but still very sorry for your loss.

MrsDho11 · March 2016

I'm so sorry @dynamicMel .

rspalding001 · March 2016

Im so very sorry :-(

MollySm · March 2016

I'm so sorry.

hellopartyof5 · March 2016

I'm so sorry @dynamicMel I'm glad you were able to save your tube though. Take care of yourself.

stepamos · March 2016

I'm so sorry @dynamicMel! Make sure you demand either a follow up ultrasound or blood work to make sure the medication works. I've heard of ruptures happening even with the meds. Again, so sorry this is happening again!

thatlauragirl · March 2016

I am so sorry you're going through this again.

jarethinafrock · March 2016

I am really sorry to see this news. I am glad you were proactive and found out sooner than the 4th of April. Please take care of yourself.

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