Success After Ectopic
TW: successful pregnancy, secondary infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss
So often, when things were dark, I would search for things on Reddit for a glimmer of hope. My ectopic pregnancy really flipped my life upside down, but now that I’m on the other side of things, I just wanted to share my story for those that might find some solace in any similarities.
My infertility rundown:
Secondary infertility
First baby at 34. No issues conceiving. Only issue with birth was that he was a surprise breech and 9 1/2 pounds so he was born via caesarean.
Started ttc second when he was 18 months.
Got pregnant when he was 20 months— ectopic pregnancy that ruptured. I was only about 5.5 weeks along and it seemed too soon for it to rupture. Turns out my tubal walls were probably weakened from a cyst that happened to be there and blocking the embryos passage. Emergency tubal removal. Found out later that they didn’t actually remove the whole tube- just part of it. Can’t confirm that set up my secondary infertility, but couldn’t help.
I got pregnant two months later. Miscarried at 8 weeks. No known cause.
Did not conceive again until 11 months later. Chemical pregnancy.
Got infertility testing and began going to a clinic. Found out I have an AMH of .3 and my best producing ovary was also the side with the non-functioning tube.
Began letrozole and cycle monitoring to try to optimize an egg for my working ovary. Although the tube can go to both sides, it is more likely they’ll pick up from the same side. Got pregnant that month- another chemical.
Pregnant 3 months later- chemical.
Saline sonogram found a large polyp. Scheduled for polypectomy. Was told that was likely why we have been miscarrying. After the polypectomy was told “never mind! Wasn’t that big.” :-/
Continued letrozole/clomid while preparing for IVF. 3 failed IUIs .
Doctor thought that maybe I have a niche from the C-Section, so did additional imaging- no evidence of that after additional ultrasounds.
Got set up with a fertility clinic to begin IVF, began taking estrogen to prime for the next cycle. All meds were ready in my fridge, but… miraculously got pregnant that cycle and she stuck!
After intensive ultrasound monitoring, a 5cm subchorionic hematoma that resolved itself, and lots of spinning babies due to breech presentation at 34 weeks, a healthy baby girl was born (via a successful VBAC) almost exactly 3 years from the date of my ectopic pregnancy.
I just hope this helps give hope to someone when staring at statistics. One tube, low AMH, advanced maternal age, history of recurrent pregnancy and ectopic, somehow still made it through. Hope you will too. ❤️