How to Recover from Ectopic Pregnancy Treatment

An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy in which an embryo (fertilized egg) implants outside the uterus, at another location in the reproductive tract. Ectopic pregnancies occur most commonly in the fallopian tubes, and in rare cases the embryo implants in the ovary or abdomen. All cases of ectopic pregnancy do not have a chance to develop into a healthy fetus, and endanger the mother’s body. They need to be treated quickly, and after treatment for an ectopic pregnancy, the patient sometimes has to go through a difficult recovery.

Table of Contents

Physical Recovery

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Learn about treatment options. You and your doctor will choose your treatment for an ectopic pregnancy based on your health, the location of the implant, and the extent of current damage to the reproductive organs.

In some cases, a woman’s body can eliminate an ectopic pregnancy on its own. If the pregnancy is just forming and there are no bad symptoms, your doctor may recommend “active monitoring”. During this time you usually have to wait about a month, your doctor will monitor you closely to see if your body can resolve the ectopic embryo on its own without treatment. In general, this method only works when hCG levels (a hormone that occurs during pregnancy) are low and tend to decrease, and when you have no symptoms. ^{[1] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source}
If an ectopic pregnancy is diagnosed early and you have no internal bleeding, they may order an injection of methotrexate . Methotrexate is a drug that blocks cell division, including fetal tissue (so it is important to make an accurate diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy). You will need several injections to remove the pregnancy completely. ^{[2] X Research Source}
Laparoscopic tubal repair is a procedure to remove pregnancy tissue without removing any part of the fallopian tube. In general, this method is only suitable for early detection of an ectopic pregnancy and an unruptured fallopian tube. The surgical solution to the treatment of ectopic pregnancy is mainly laparoscopic surgery, which is performed in a state of total coma and uses a small tube with a camera and light inserted through a small incision. ^{[3] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}
Tubalectomy is necessary if the fallopian tubes are severely damaged, if you bleed a lot, or when the pregnancy is large. With this method, the fallopian tube containing the ectopic pregnancy is removed.
Laparotomy is often used in emergencies when the fallopian tubes have ruptured or are bleeding heavily. Laparotomy requires a longer incision and therefore requires a longer recovery time than laparoscopic surgery. ^{[4] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

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Ask your doctor about the recovery process. The recovery time is long or short depending on the surgical method used.

If it’s laparoscopic surgery, you can go home the same day. The recovery time is quite quick, so most women are able to walk right away. It usually takes 7-14 days for you to be able to participate in your regular activities. ^{[5] X Research Sources} Full recovery time is approximately one month. ^{[6] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source}
Laparotomy requires a patient stay in the hospital for several days. The reason is because the cut is quite long, so it affects the functioning of the intestines. You should only drink water the morning after surgery and start eating solid foods within 24-36 hours. The incision of this surgical method takes up to 6 weeks to heal.
Although cases of ectopic pregnancy that are detected early and without surgery have a very short recovery time, your doctor must still monitor your health carefully to make sure the pregnancy can self-destruct.

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Avoid exercise or vigorous physical activity. You may feel better after just a few days, but you should not exercise or be physically active too much. You must also avoid any movement that stretches or stretches the incision. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Do not lift anything heavier than 9 kg during the first week.
Go up the stairs slowly, stopping to rest after a few steps.
The ability to walk whenever possible. Do not try to run.

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Risk of constipation. Abdominal surgery often affects bowel function and thus causes constipation. Your doctor will show you how to treat constipation, but there are some things you can do on your own: ^{[8] X Research Source}

Eat foods rich in fiber such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Drink a lot of water.
Use a laxative or stool softener (as recommended by your doctor).

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Prepare to go to the hospital for regular tests. If you need surgery to repair your fallopian tubes or treat with methodtrexate, you need to go to the hospital for regular tests to check if your hCG levels are still there. If hCG persists, additional treatment with methodtrexate is required.

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Prepare to suffer. There are many reasons why you may feel pain after having an ectopic pregnancy. The incision takes time to heal, and the scar tissue that forms from it can also cause pain. If the pain persists, gets worse, or becomes unbearable, you should contact your doctor. ^{[9] X Research Source}

The pain is often caused by the body’s attempt to restore the menstrual cycle. Menstrual cycles return to normal after 4-6 weeks of treatment, or longer. ^{[10] X Research Source}
Some women say they notice more obvious signs of ovulation after treatment for an ectopic pregnancy, when they feel some pain. ^{[11] X Research Source}

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Recognize signs that require medical intervention. Feeling pain is often a signal from your body that you need to rest. However, if you have any of the following symptoms along with pain you should contact your doctor: ^{[12] X Research Sources}^{[13] X Research Sources}

Fever (over 38 degrees Celsius)
Vaginal discharge, especially if it has a “fishy” or “strong” odor
Lumps around the incision or scar that are red or hot to the touch
Drainage from the wound
Nausea and/or vomiting
Dizziness or fainting

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Discuss contraception with your doctor. After treatment for an ectopic pregnancy there are some birth control methods you cannot use. You should consult with your doctor to find the method that works best for you. ^{[14] X Research Source}

In general, you should not use the IUD and the progesterone-only pill after treating an ectopic pregnancy. ^{[15] X Research Source}
In addition, you also need to consult your doctor about when you can have sex again, this depends a lot on the previous treatment. ^{[16] X Research Source}

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Wait a while before deciding to get pregnant again. If you treat an ectopic pregnancy with methotrexate, your doctor will tell you how long to wait before trying to get pregnant again. In general, this is about one to three months, depending on the amount of medicine you have injected. Methotrexate causes some problems in early pregnancy because it reduces the amount of fpic acid needed by the embryo, so you have to wait until the drug is completely eliminated from the body. ^{[17] X Research Source}

Mental Recovery

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Understand that emotions are natural. An ectopic pregnancy is a physically and emotionally damaging experience. There are many reasons why you might feel angry, anxious or sad, but these feelings are natural and there is nothing “unusual” about you. There is no such thing as a “right” or “wrong” emotion.

Disturbed hormone levels are the cause of depressive symptoms. It also causes other symptoms such as palpitations, agitation and dizziness. ^{[18] X Research Sources}
The truth is that all ectopic pregnancies cannot save the fetus, but knowing that the pregnancy must be aborted can be extremely painful for the pregnant woman.
You are not only worried about your current health, but also about your ability to continue to get pregnant in the future.
You feel like you’re at fault, but it’s not really your fault. ^{[19] X Research Source}
Besides, surgery also puts more pressure on your mental health. ^{[20] X Research Sources}

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Ask your doctor about counseling services. Many hospitals offer well-trained counselors to handle pregnancy issues. Having an abortion and having to undergo major surgery are experiences where you may need their counseling services. ^{[21] X Trusted Source American Psychpogical Association Go to Source}

It is also a good idea to have your husband or lover attend the counseling sessions. It’s true that some people have a hard time expressing their emotions, so if the two of you can go to a counselor together, this difficult time will pass more easily. ^{[22] X Research Sources}^{[23] X Research Sources}
It is often assumed that men are not upset when their wives or girlfriends miscarry, but research shows that this is not the case. Men express their pain differently, but they also experience depression and anger after their partner miscarries. ^{[24] X Trusted Source American Psychpogical Association Go to Source}

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Talk to friends or family. If you don’t want to, you don’t have to say it, but you should seek support from those around you. You can confide in a friend or loved one who is willing to acknowledge your loss and help you through this difficult time. ^{[25] X Research Sources}

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Find a support group. One of the most important factors for mental recovery is avoiding feelings of loneliness. Support groups are places where you can connect with people who have had similar experiences to you, who can help you cope with the feelings of loneliness during this time. ^{[26] X Trusted Source American Psychpogical Association Go to Source}

If you are in the US, you can find support groups of RESOLVE – National Association of Infertility. A list of these groups is available on their website. ^{[27] X Research Source}
SHARE – Support for Miscarriage and Child Loss also has a support group in the US. You can find a group near you on their website. ^{[28] X Research Sources}
In the UK they have the Ectopic Pregnancy Foundation and the Society for Miscarriage which provide resources and counseling services for women who have had an abortion. ^{[29] X Research Source}^{[30] X Research Source}
Many online support forums also provide a space for you to voice your feelings. The Ectopic Pregnancy Foundation hosts a number of online forums hosted by medical professionals where you can discuss your experiences and share your feelings. ^{[31] X Research Source}

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Indulge yourself. Some women find that doing something special for themselves can help them get through the tough days following treatment for an ectopic pregnancy. Going to a beauty salon or something similar is a great way to pamper yourself and relieve your sadness. More simply, you just need to sit and watch your favorite movie. In general, you should give yourself a chance to enjoy what you enjoy. ^{[32] X Research Source}

Don’t feel guilty about being nice to yourself. You really need time to recover because an ectopic pregnancy is physically and emotionally exhausting.

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Exercise when you feel fine. Exercising after full recovery is an effective way to relieve sadness and regain energy. Physical activity causes the body to release endorphins which are hormones that create feelings of euphoria and improve mood. Ask your doctor about when you can start exercising again. ^{[33] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Do not engage in any activity that requires a lot of physical exertion or impact before consulting your doctor.

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Tell your doctor before deciding to get pregnant again. They will let you know when you are physically fit to get pregnant, and advise on the possible risks of further ectopic pregnancy. Some risk factors include smoking, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and a history of ectopic pregnancy. Those at risk will be closely monitored in the next pregnancy to detect and treat possible problems early. ^{[34] X Research Sources}

Consider seeing a reproductive endocrinologist, an obstetrician and gynecologist with a subspecialty in infertility treatment. For example, if you need to be evaluated for the condition of your fallopian tubes, this is the best doctor for it.

Advice

More than half of women have had an ectopic pregnancy and are able to get pregnant safely again. Some studies show that up to 85% of women who want to get pregnant are able to get pregnant again within two years of being treated for an ectopic pregnancy. ^{[35] X Research Source}
An ectopic pregnancy reduces the probability of a future pregnancy, and increases the risk of a subsequent ectopic pregnancy.

Warning

This is a potentially life-threatening medical condition. The ectopic pregnancy cannot be saved and you must have treatment to remove it.
If you find out you are pregnant with symptoms of abdominal pain, dizziness, fainting, diarrhea, pain when urinating or defecating, you need to see a doctor immediately. ^{[36] X Research Source}

Steps

Physical Recovery

Mental Recovery

Advice

Warning

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