ectopic pregnancy resources

[Mom2Lily]

I recently had an ectopic preg and had to have emergency surgery to remove it because it had ruptured. The dr. went in through my c-section scar and had to remove one tube.

I want to find as much info about this as I can. I want my next preg to be a VBAC and I want to know my odds of conceiving again w/o one tube and if this affects my VBAC chances.

Can anyone steer me in the right direction?
Thanks!
TIffany

[Jacque Savageau]

TIffany, I'm so sorry for you loss. It must have been very difficult to first lose your baby and then have major surgery. I'm so thankful that they found it soon enough and that you didn't become even more ill.

How are you feeling now? With this busy time of the year please make sure you take the time you need to heal.

Though I've never experienced an ectopic pregnancy, I personally know two people who have. Both lost a tube and both went on to conceive and carry a healthy baby. So, there is hope, conceiving may take a bit longer as your body now has to adjust to one tube, but it is very possible.

As for the VBAC I'm really not sure. I don't see why it would effect your ability to do so, but then I'm not a doctor either. You'll want to talk to your doctor and really be open with him/her about your wishes. Some doctors may want to do a C because they're nervous about complications. Some may be very willing to help you have as natural birth as possible. Feel our your medical care professional and also try to do some research.

I know of some excellent books on ectopic pregnancy, but none of them cover VBAC that I know of. Maybe someone here who has experienced an ectopic pregnancy will know?

Again, I'm so sorry for your loss. Let us know what you find out.

[Mom2Lily]

Ms Mom,
Thank you for your help! I talked with my Dr., but he seems a bit out of the loop on the current research. I really want to read what is out there and then consult with a midwife (whom I'm hoping to use with my next pregnancy.

This time of year is actually helping the healing. It has forced me to slow down. I missed shopping after Christmas, but that's a good thing as money is tight and this near tragedy has brought me closer to my neigbors and friends.

I am feeling so much better these past days and am glad I posted on this board. I hadn't had a period before this happened (dd is nursing still) so that complicated the situation as I didnt' know how far along I was and I don't know if I will get periods now or not. I was rather intent on "cathing the first egg" and I got my wish, but not the way I planned.

Thanks for your help and please post the book info :)

[Jacque Savageau]

I'm glad you're listening to your body and slowing down. Nursing is actually a great thing for you now. It'll help your uterus heal and also the hormones released in Nursing will help you heal emotionally.

Seeing the midwife is an excellent idea. I think you'll get some better answers or at lease some direction.

Above we have a sticky on resources. I pulled these to post here as I know they all have sections on ectopic pregnancy.


Empty Cradle, Broken Heart Surviving the Death of Your Baby
Deborah L. Davis, Ph.D. this is one of the best books I've read on pregnancy loss. They have a wonderful chapter on ectopic pregnancy

Still To Be Born A guide for bereaved parents who are making decisions about the future
Pat Schweibert, RN – Paul Kirk, MD this is a really good book that may help guide you in your decision to have another child

Miscarriage A Shattered Dream
Sherokee Ilse – Linda Hammer Burns

Empty Arms Coping with miscarriage, stillbirth and infant death
Sherokee Ilse both of these books by Sherokee Ilse are excellent - very easy to read. She has suffered an ectopic pregnancy and has some strong insight

A Silent Sorrow Pregnancy Loss guidance and support for you and your family
Ingrid Kohn, M.S.W. – Perry-Lynn Moffit – Isabelle A. Wilkins, M.D. this is another wonderful book filled with facts and information to help guide you in future decisions

When Pregnancy Fails Families coping with miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth and infant death
Judith Borg – Susan Lasker

Another Baby? Maybe…
Sherokee Ilse and Maribeth Wilder Doerr this is another good book - short and easy to read. I've worked with Maribeth many years ago. She's an amazingly compassionate woman

[KatherineinCA]

Tiffany,

I'm so sorry you've been through this. I had an ectopic with a ruptured tube and two emergency surgeries 5 1/2 years ago. This was following my first c-section. (BTW, I found out last year that there is an increased risk of ectopics after c-sections) My doctor felt that getting pregnant with one tube was not more difficult than with two. He explained that the tube is flexible and will move around to catch an egg, whichever side it's released from. Once we started trying to get pregnant again, it was taking a few months, (my first pregnancies had happened on the first cycle), so I had an HSG done. That procedure is definitely worth researching. They shoot dye through the tube to look for any large obstructions, and the dye can actually clear small "debris." I conceived the first cycle after the HSG. That son is now 4. I conceived again three years later and had a full-term pregnancy again. That son died during labor, but his death was not related to the ectopic.

During my last two pregnancies I did tons of research on VBACs, and would recommend the ICAN e-mail list as a source of all the information you could possibly need. It is incredibly high-volume, but it is the best place to go if you want to VBAC. I don't see any reason that having had an ectopic should impact your ability to VBAC. Although, does the fact that they had to open your scar mean that you now count as having had two c-sections? That could make a difference. Our local hospital allows VBAC attempts after one c-section, but not two. Now I'm pondering this. They wouldn't have opened your uterine scar, correct? So that would be the incision they would consider in terms of risk of uterine rupture. This is all conjecture on my part, but definitely things to look into.

Please know you can ask me anything you need to. I found that healing from my ectopic pregnancy was really tough, emotionally and physically. It's such a scary experience to go through from the standpoint of almost dying, and the excruciating pain, and then there's the sadness of losing your baby, and wondering how this affects future fertility. So many different layers. I'm glad you're planning on a midwife, I think that's one of the best things you can do to have a vaginal birth. I was planning an HBAC during my last pregnancy. Again, look at the ICAN list. So much information is available there, and they are incredibly supportive, too.

Take care,
Katherine

[Mom2Lily]

Hi Katherine,
Thank you so much for sharing.

Your right about the incision, it didn't go through to my uterus, so it shouldn't really affect wheter I am low/high risk for a VBAC. I have a lot of researching to do for my hopeful VBAC, due to the area I live in and the few resources, believe it or not Pittsburgh, PA is not very progressive, or so it seems to me!
Is a HBAC, a home birth after c-section? If so, that really interests me. That is what I wanted before this mess happened. NOw again I am scared at what could happen adn need to reassure myself that it could happen (again I need to locate better resources in my area)
I actually had the HSG done before my daughter was conceived, it only took 2 months following for me to become pregnant. And it showed my tubes being quite clear. I am begining to wonder if my c-section has attributed to this problem and would like to futher explore that if anyone has any info or links. If they operated in that area for the section that maybe something "contaminated" (for lack of a better work) my tubes? Just makes me think.

I really want to become pregnant again, that I know. I am willing take on the risk and I think that is a good start.
Thank you ladies for stepping up and sharing with me. Everyday seems to open another dimension of this episode that I have to pick apart and deal with. It is so nice to know that others are there and have been through it.
Tiffany

[KatherineinCA]

Hi, Tiffany:

Yes, HBAC stands for homebirth after c-section. There are variations, like HBA2C (homebirth after 2 c-sections) that you'll see as you research your VBAC. There are several great sites I found online (ICAN is the only name I can remember, though) that will offer you tremendous support as you prepare for your next pregnancy. Have you posted on the VBAC board here?

The theory with c-sections contributing to ectopic pregnancies is that scar tissue that results from abdominal surgery can lodge in the tubes.

I can tell you that you will be able to believe in your body again. It took a lot of work for me, but I got to the point during my last pregnancy that I had complete faith in my body again, and I was totally ready to birth at home. I'll always be grateful I was able to have that confidence.

Best wishes for your continued healing,
Katherine