The journey to motherhood is different for every mum. For some, the process is smooth from day one with quick conception, easy pregnancy, calming birth and lovely recovery. For others, the journey requires a few hurdles along the way, whether this is during the TTC stage, the childbirth stage or during parenthood.
For Rebecca, her journey towards motherhood started the same way most do – with a positive pregnancy test. However, rather than the pregnancy progressing normally, she experienced an ectopic pregnancy.
Ectopic pregnancies must end in miscarriage and, while we’ve most likely all heard (and feared) the word miscarriage, many women are not aware of what an ectopic pregnancy is and what support is available for women who have or are going through one.
1 in 100Â
Ectopic pregnancies are responsible for ending 1 in 100 pregnancies in Australia. In other words, for every 100 women who get a positive pregnancy test, 1 of these women will discover the pregnancy is ectopic. Keep in mind that, out of these initial 100 women, anywhere from 15 to 25 more women will go through a miscarriage. This is a lot of heartbreak and often women who are experiencing this heartbreak are going through it alone (or feel like they are at least).
Let’s talk about ectopic pregnanciesÂ
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilised egg implants and grows outside of the main cavity of the uterus, most commonly in one of the fallopian tubes. This type of pregnancy is not viable and the embryo cannot develop into a healthy baby.
During a normal pregnancy, the fertilised egg travels down the fallopian tube and implants in the uterine lining, where it can develop into a fetus. In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilised egg gets stuck in the fallopian tube (the most common site), but it can’t grow properly there. The growing embryo may cause the fallopian tube to rupture, leading to internal bleeding and other serious complications.
One of the scariest things about an ecoptic pregnancy is that it does mimic a regular pregnancy at the start and you most likely will feel early pregnancy symptoms.
You will get a positive pregnancy test as your hCG levels rise but, in most ectopic pregnancies, the hCG levels will not rise as they normally would. But, for any pregnant woman, this is impossible to know unless you’ve had either several blood tests or an ultrasound.
Signs of ectopic pregnancy
In most instances, ectopic pregnancies are discovered during the dating ultrasound, around the 8-9 week mark. If an ectopic pregnancy isn’t discovered early, it can cause the fallopian tube to rupture.
Here are some warning signs to be aware of (and report to your doctor or ED immediately):
- Abdominal pain: Sharp or crampy pain, often on one side of the abdomen. This pain may come and go and may increase over time.
- Vaginal bleeding: Light spotting or heavier bleeding that is different from normal menstrual bleeding.
- Shoulder pain: Pain in the shoulder, especially when lying down, may occur if there is internal bleeding.
- Dizziness or fainting: This can be a sign of significant internal bleeding and requires urgent medical attention.
- Pain during urination or bowel movements: This can be related to the location of the ectopic pregnancy or internal bleeding.
What happens after an ectopic pregnancy?Â
Unfortunately, ectopic pregnancies must end in termination. This can either be done through medication or surgery depending on how far along the pregnancy is as well as the mother’s choices (in some instances). Ectopic pregnancies can also require a laparoscopy or laparotomy in the event of a rupture or bleeding.
Can I get pregnant after an ecoptic pregnancy?
This is by far the biggest concern for mums after experiencing an ecoptic pregnancy. The shorthand answer is yes, you can fall pregnant after an ectopic pregnancy. You can go on to have a perfectly normal and healthy pregnancy.
However, the risk of future miscarriages may be slightly elevated. According to the Ectopic Trust, the chances of having a future successful pregnancy are very good, and 65% of women are healthily pregnant within 18 months of an ectopic pregnancy. Some studies suggest this figure rises to around 85% over 2 years. Your chance of conceiving depends very much on the health of your tubes.
As Rebecca tells Mum Central, after she experienced an ectopic pregnancy, she went through the devastation of three miscarriages before falling pregnant and having her daughter.
“Every journey to motherhood is different. Easy or full of hurdles and challenges like ours, but with persistence and modern technology there is a chance to get there for most women.”
She adds:
“I think the one thing that does need to change is how the health system supports (or rather doesn’t) women as they go through pregnancy loss and grieving. I was made to sit in the maternity ward passing a pregnancy surrounded by crying babies and that simply broke my heart.”
This is something many mothers who have experienced miscarriages can relate to. The healthcare system is just so jam-packed that often miscarriage support is overlooked. I recall having to miscarry in an ER waiting room bathroom before going on to have three healthy children.
The sadness of losing a baby, whether through termination, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or stillbirth, is painful and something that does require support. We at Mum Central have several Facebook Support Groups for Pregnancy and Birth, but there are also outside support organisations that are specifically aimed at helping to cope with the loss, grief and fear that comes with miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. These include:
The Pink Elephants Support Network: www.pinkelephants.org.au
The Pink Elephants Support Network is dedicated to providing support to women and families dealing with pregnancy loss, including miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. They offer peer support, online groups, and information on how to cope with grief following pregnancy loss.
Sands Australia:Â www.sands.org.au
Sands is a well-established Australian organisation that provides support to parents who have experienced stillbirth, neonatal death, or pregnancy loss, including miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy.
Miscarriage Support (Australia): www.miscarriagesupport.org.au
Miscarriage Support is a national organisation that provides support and resources for people dealing with miscarriage and pregnancy loss. While their focus is primarily on miscarriage, they offer help for those experiencing ectopic pregnancy as well.
The Stillbirth Foundation Australia:Â www.stillbirthfoundation.org.au
While primarily focused on stillbirth, the Stillbirth Foundation also provides resources and support for those dealing with pregnancy loss, including ectopic pregnancies.
Red Nose: www.rednose.org.au
Red Nose is known for its work in reducing sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), but it also provides extensive support for families dealing with miscarriage, stillbirth, and pregnancy loss, including ectopic pregnancies.
