Is Conception After an Ectopic Pregnancy Possible?

In an ectopic pregnancy, the embryo implants itself in the fallopian tube. This puts the lives of both the mother and the baby at risk. If you’ve had an ectopic pregnancy, you must have a lot of questions related to your pregnancy, the health of the baby and yours, whether or not you can get pregnant after ectopic pregnancy again, or if it is possible to have a normal pregnancy after an ectopic pregnancy. For all your questions, we have summarised this article so you can know better!

Can You Get Pregnant After an Ectopic Pregnancy?

It is possible to have a normal pregnancy even if you have a history of ectopic pregnancy. You can get pregnant after an ectopic pregnancy tube is removed as long as you have one fallopian tube. However, if both of the tubes are removed, then it may not be possible to get pregnant through the natural process unless you opt for IVF.

What Are the Odds of Having an Ectopic Pregnancy Again?

If your last pregnancy was an ectopic one, it’s highly likely that the next one will be, too. These factors increase the chances of ectopic pregnancy:

1. Infertility

If you have a medical history of infertility, the odds of ectopic pregnancy increase.

2. Oddly Shaped Fallopian Tubes

Fallopian tubes that are not typically shaped prevent the sperm from reaching the uterus. Thus, they increase the chances of ectopic pregnancy.

3. Age

Age is another factor which is strongly linked with the ectopic pregnancy. Its odds are high for women above 35 years of age.

4. History of Ectopic Pregnancy

If you have a history of ectopic pregnancy, then there is a 10% chance for you to have an ectopic pregnancy again.

How Long Should You Wait to Conceive After an Ectopic Pregnancy?

Doctors generally advise waiting for at least three months or two full menstrual cycles before trying for pregnancy. But how long you should wait will also depend on the complications of your previous pregnancy.

This timeframe is recommended so that the doctor can be clear about the Last Menstrual Period (LMP) date. This date plays a major role in preventing an ectopic pregnancy.

Usually, the first period after an ectopic pregnancy has a heavier flow. However, you will have a normal period from the second period. If you’re looking to get pregnant after an ectopic pregnancy, you must wait for at least 3 months before trying.

Can Ectopic Pregnancy Be Prevented?

There’s no way to prevent ectopic pregnancy, but there are chances of lowering the risk or serious complications associated with it. Early diagnosis and treatment and maintaining good reproductive health can help. By maintaining good reproductive health and lowering your chances of catching STIs, the chances of an ectopic pregnancy may be reduced. Going for regular check-ups with your gynaecologist, getting essential tests done, and leading a healthy lifestyle may help reduce the risk of ectopic pregnancy. But you must remember that there’s no sure-shot way to prevent an ectopic pregnancy. You must follow a healthy lifestyle before and during pregnancy and go for regular pregnancy check-ups. Sometimes, early diagnosis can help in the treatment.

What Are Some Tips to Get Pregnant After Ectopic Pregnancy?

Getting pregnant after an ectopic pregnancy is not impossible. Want to know how to get pregnant fast after an ectopic pregnancy? With these tips, you can ensure to have a healthy pregnancy again:

1. Care for Yourself

Ectopic pregnancy can be stressful on the mind and the body, so it is important to acknowledge your feelings, however, you feel without any guilt. Self-care is most important. Don’t be afraid to seek help from certified counsellors. Let your family members know how you feel so they can understand you better and support you accordingly. Manage your stress by going on short walks and meditation, focus on a balanced and nutritious diet for your next pregnancy, and exercise moderately on a regular basis.

2. Wait at Least Three Months

Ectopic pregnancies typically cause some amount of damage to the fallopian tube, which can result in scarring. Methotrexate, which is administered for initial post-treatment bleeding, can linger in the system and pose a risk to a future pregnancy if conception occurs too soon after an ectopic pregnancy. Plus, a scarred fallopian tube can make conceiving difficult and increase the likelihood of another ectopic pregnancy. This is why waiting for a minimum of two to three full menstrual cycles allows your body to naturally restore its fertility rhythm and heal the damaged fallopian tube and any methotrexate residual trauma.

If the fallopian tube is severely damaged, then IVF is a solution to future pregnancies. In a population-based study on 328 women with a history of ectopic pregnancy who were trying to get pregnant again, around 65% conceived after 5 months, and some had a normally progressive pregnancy at 1 year.

3. Seek a Fertility Specialist

If you are under the age of 36, it is advisable not to seek consultation with a fertility specialist until you have diligently timed intercourse for a continuous period of 12 months without achieving pregnancy. However, if you have previously experienced an ectopic pregnancy and do not achieve pregnancy within the initial nine months of trying, getting in touch with an obstetrician would be the ideal way of going forward.

If tubal blockage is not an issue for not conceiving sooner, you can continue trying for pregnancy for 12 to 15 months before considering consultation with a fertility specialist. If you are close to 38 years or older, then you should not delay in consulting a specialist.

FAQs

1. Is There Any Chance of Having Twins After an Ectopic Pregnancy?

Yes, the chances of having twins after an ectopic pregnancy are likely low, but not impossible. That, too, depends on certain factors. If your family has a history of conceiving twins or you are older, then there are chances of having twins. Additionally, if you undergo an IVF treatment, your chances of having twins get slightly higher, as they transfer multiple embryos to increase the conception rate.

2. Is it Possible to Have a Normal Delivery After an Ectopic Pregnancy?

If you have had an ectopic pregnancy, your chances of having another ectopic pregnancy are there. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a healthy pregnancy. You can also have a normal full-term delivery of a normal pregnancy after an ectopic pregnancy.

3. Will There be Chances of a Second Ectopic Pregnancy?

As we explained in the last question, there are chances of developing a second ectopic pregnancy after the first.

Pregnancy is a wonderful experience, but it comes with its share of complications. Ectopic pregnancy shouldn’t be ignored as it poses a risk to two lives – that of the mother and the baby. For safe and smooth delivery, consult your gynaecologist.

References/Resources:

1. Ectopic Pregnancy; ACOG; https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/ectopic-pregnancy

2. Adelusi. B, Chowdhury. N, Al-Meshari. A. A; Fertility Following Ectopic Pregnancy; Annals of Saudi Medicine; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6363514/; July 1994

3. Ectopic pregnancy: Signs, treatment and future fertility; Mayo Clinic Health System; https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/ectopic-pregnancy-signs-treatment-and-future-fertility; February 2022

4. Ectopic pregnancy; NHS; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/

5. Ego. A, Subtil. D, Cosson. M, et al.; Survival analysis of fertility after ectopic pregnancy; Fertil Steril.; PubMed; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11239542/; March 2001

6. Ectopic pregnancy: Signs, treatment and support; Tommy’s; https://www.tommys.org/baby-loss-support/ectopic-pregnancy-information-support

7. After an ectopic pregnancy; HSE; https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/after-ectopic-pregnancy/

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