History of my failed pregnancies

My husband and I got married in December 2008. We decided to have a year to ourselves first before starting to build our family. In January 2010, as soon as I missed my period, I tried a home pregnancy test and saw two faint lines. We went to the hospital and my blood test revealed that I was indeed pregnant! However, my beta HCG level was not doubling every 2 days and I experienced spotting and cramps. When my beta HCG was greater than 2,000, I had my first ultrasound. There was no trace of any gestational sac in my uterus. We went to two hospitals and the findings were the same. The doctors concluded that I have an ectopic pregnancy. I was given Methotrexate injection to terminate the pregnancy. My doctor advised that we could start trying again after 6 months.

In September 2010, I waited for a week after I missed my period and tried a home pregnancy test. This time I saw two vivid lines. I was constantly checking if I am spotting just like in my previous pregnancy. My blood test confirmed my pregnancy and we are very delighted to see a higher figure. However, after a few days, I started to experience spotting.. and then fresh blood! Oh no, not again! When my beta HCG was greater than 2,000, I had my ultrasound. Again, there is nothing in my uterus. My OB pointed the device towards my right side and there we heard the fetal sound! I was teary-eyed upon hearing it. There goes my baby! But it is not in the right place! My OB referred me to the diagnostic medical sonographer so I can be scanned thoroughly. She also told me to ask my husband to come over and be with me (there, I became more nervous!).

As I am waiting for the sonographer, I called my husband and started to cry. I cannot hold back my tears any longer. I was so thrilled to be pregnant again but at the same time so scared to admit that it is an ectopic pregnancy again! My husband came immediately. The scan result is the same as with my OB. It is indeed an ectopic pregnancy. Since I was already bleeding, my OB recommended for immediate operation. The procedure is called laparoscopic surgery, where they will make 3 small incisions in my abdomen, examine (via a small video camera) where the pregnancy is and remove it accordingly. My right fallopian tube was removed as it was deformed because of the pregnancy.

My OB performed tests to determine the cause of my ectopic pregnancies but she cannot give an exact answer. She said that the first ectopic pregnancy might have occurred in my right tube, which may have left some scars. This is the possible reason why I had my second ectopic pregnancy.

We also consulted some doctors and they also cannot find any cause. They only told me that there is also a possibility that stress is the reason. Therefore, in April 2011, my husband and I decided to take a break, go home and live a stress-free life. I quit my job (yes, it was quite stressful then!) while my husband’s company granted him one-year leave without pay. In May 2011, we decided that we will give it a try as soon as my period is over. However, a week after my period, I experienced severe cramping and spotting. I thought that it was just a prolonged spotting due to my heavy period. However, after several days of minor pain, we decided to see an OB. 

I was referred to a sonographer since my OB doesn’t have her own ultrasound device. When I was examined by the sonographer, he asked me about my history and upon learning that I had previous ectopic pregnancies, he asked me if I have already tested for pregnancy. I told him that I cannot be pregnant because I just had my period a week ago. But then he insisted that I try a home pregnancy kit. I was so shocked to see two intense lines in the pregnancy test! How can it be? Then he told me that he suspects that I have ectopic pregnancy in my left tube. 

I was immediately admitted in the hospital. My OB first performed something like a D and C where she was inserting some device / syringe in order to determine whether the blood has already spread. There was no anesthesia during this procedure and I tried so hard to obey what she is constantly telling me.. "relax, relax!" But how can you relax if you are feeling pain and if you can actually picture out what they are doing down there? At first I was just tearing up.. but then I cannot suppress the pain any longer.. I feel like an animal being butchered slowly to death! I was screaming and the nurse is holding my hand for comfort but I feel like I was gripping too tightly that I would break his arm! 

When the doctor confirmed that it was a ruptured tube, she told me that she would start with the operation. I was given regional anesthesia. I was in so much pain that I didn’t even feel when they inserted the injection in my spinal column. The medicine immediately came into effect. I can sense some movement below but I cannot feel a thing! I cannot recall what happened after. All I can think of is having that strange dream of being a one-celled being coming to life, moving slowly down a tunnel and then came total darkness. As soon as I gained consciousness, they transferred me to my room where my husband and family are waiting.

I recalled my husband telling me in a nervous voice.. “Okay lang yan Hami basta magkasama lang naman tayo magiging happy tayo.. basta walang iwanan ha!” Then I learned that they have removed my left fallopian tube including my ovary because they were severely damaged.