Dr. Marjorie Greenfield
Specializing in pregnancy and birth.
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 Ask Dr. Greenfield
Struggles with Tubal Pregnancies | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Greenfield,
Hi. I don't know if you remember me. I sent you a question September 17 about trying to get pregnant again after having an ectopic pregnancy. Anyway, I tried and I got pregnant from the second cycle, but it was another ectopic...I'm so scared and frustrated. I want your advice on what to do next...What other options do I have to get pregnant? Is my risk for another ectopic increasing? What is the solution? I'm only 27 and this would be my first child.— Rima | | | ANSWER |
November 27, 2001 | | | Dear Rima,
I am so sorry that you have gone through such awful experiences. When you want a baby, finding out that you are pregnant should be a happy time, not one that ends with worry and loss.
Tubal pregnancy is fairly common, occurring in about 1 percent of pregnancies. Once you have had an ectopic, there is a greater chance of it happening again, so having had two obviously is not a good thing.
That said, you really have three choices. You can try again and see what happens, which might well result in a healthy pregnancy. You can give up on getting pregnant--although that wouldn't satisfy your desire for a family. Or you can see a fertility specialist, who can talk to you about your options and possibly offer some treatments to try to prevent your next pregnancy from being another ectopic.
If your heart and soul can stand it, trying again is not a bad choice. Be sure to get to the doctor as soon as you know that you're pregnant so that she can check to see where the pregnancy is located. To find a fertility specialist, ask your doctor for a referral or visit the American Society for Reproductive Medicine website. Good luck to you.— by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. |
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