Getting Pregnant after Ectopic Pregnancy

The majority of the females who have a previous ectopic pregnancy are known to have normal pregnancies in the future, even if there was a removal of a fallopian tube. Pregnancy after ectopic pregnancy can happen as long as a female has even one fallopian tube that is working normally.

According to statistics, your chances of having a successful pregnancy in the future are excellent and almost 65% of females become pregnant healthily within 1-1/2 years of having an ectopic pregnancy. According to some studies, over a period of 2 years this figure rises to almost 85%.

Your fertility and chances of conceiving normally in the future will depend on the following:

• The health of your fallopian tube

• To how much extent your fallopian tube has been damaged 

• Whether there is a family history of infertility

When go Consider Another Pregnancy?

You should wait for a few months to let the damaged area heal. Then you can try on your own; however, you should understand that there is a high risk of repeat ectopic pregnancy (tubal pregnancy) this time.

Not that making a small slit in the tube (or salpingostomy) and removal of a part of the tube (or salpingectomy) has almost the same effect on your fertility in the future. However, if there is damage to your other tube, a salpingostomy may be tried by your doctor. By doing this procedure, your chances of having a normal pregnancy after ectopic pregnancy are improved in the future.

Normal pregnancy after removal of one tube

I had an ectopic pregnancy that ruptured at only 5.5 weeks and I have to undergo surgery to for removal of my left tube. I guess I had luck in that I can begin to try again after a single cycle as there is no methotrexate in my system. My period started within 5 days after surgery and to my surprise I got pregnant in that cycle. I am now at 12 weeks. I undergone an early ultrasound scan to rule out tubal pregnancy and it was such a relief that it was normal. I used temping method and OPK’s, which provided me comfort and I was aware that I ovulated.

Normal pregnancy after an ectopic

I had an ectopic and now I am pregnant at 15 weeks. I had one ultrasound scan at 6 weeks, which showed the heartbeat and yolk sac and the other at 13 weeks, which showed my small baby bouncing in the uterus. It was a relief to hear a heartbeat and see small legs and arms moving. You should keep faith as it is possible to get pregnancy after ectopic. It is still 4 weeks before we can know whether the baby is a boy or a girl.

Pregnant after a few cycles

I had a tubal pregnancy and was hospitalized as the tube burst and I bled internally. I had my right tube removed during an emergency surgery. I had 3 cycles and before my 4th cycle I got pregnanct with my 2^nd child. Now we are trying for a 3^rd child, it’s already been 6 months but we haven’t lost hope and still trying.

What can I do to prevent future ectopic pregnancy?

There is nothing that can be done to prevent future ectopic pregnancy. No known medicine is proved to provide any benefit. The best thing that can be done is to prevent pregnancy by utilizing contraceptives. A condom can also be used to reduce your risk. If you think that there is an infection present it is recommended that you contact your physician immediately and get it treated. If you develop a pregnancy after ectopic it is important to keep in mind that the risk of getting another ectopic is slightly increased. It is important to recognize and treat early.

Can I use an IUCD?

If you had a tubal pregnancy, you can safely use an IUCD or intrauterine contraceptive device. Using both Mirena and the copper coil are safe options. No clear evidence is present to prove that these devices cause tubal pregnancies. However, if there is a failure of the coil and pregnancy happens then the chances are slightly increased that you may have an ectopic.

Will there be any abnormality in my next baby?

If the fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus, the risk of having an abnormal pregnancy is not increased by having an ectopic pregnancy. Females who have been taking methotrexate are recommended to wait for at least 90 days before conceiving again. In case you conceive within 90 days of getting treatment with methotrexate you should be referred to a specialist by your physician for further testing. You can have a discussion with the specialist regarding the available tests and management options for you.

What should be done if my pregnancy test comes positive?

It is important to visit your doctor at around 5 weeks of pregnancy. You may be referred to your local hospital by your doctor for an ultrasound scan. If diagnosis of a pregnancy in the womb or intrauterine pregnancy is found then you can be reassured. However, if after clinical investigations, the pregnancy is found to be of unknown location, then the hospital will arrange follow-up diagnosis.

Will I need a cesarean section?

There is no clear evidence to support that cesarean section is required in patients who have had a previous ectopic pregnancy. If you have a cesarean section, the risk of getting a tubal pregnancy in future is slightly increased. The reason is because in cesarean section the risk of development of postnatal infection is greater slightly in comparison to that of normal pregnancy.