Please come and talk some sense into me... (ttc after tubal surgery)

[TheUNITUBER]

I had surgery (tube removed) for an ectopic pregnancy nearly 3 weeks ago and I can tell that I am now about to ovulate.

Before the surgery a doctor told me I should wait one period until I ttc again (i.e. next month).

After the surgery a doctor told me I should try to wait 3-6 months but that it would do no harm if I conceived sooner (no reasons given).

The ectopic pregnancy trust says to wait 2 full cycles ideally (as does my GP). The EPT says that there is evidence that conceiving too soon after ectopic means a higher risk of recurrance. But I can find no study or research that backs up this point and I am confused as to whether this relates to people who have had surgery on their tubes or people who have had a tube completely removed (like me).

I have scoured the internet and found research where people with dodgy tubes (hydrosalpinx) have had them removed and been actively encouraged to ttc right away.

I fully intended to wait, Honestly I did. Not for 6 months, or even 3, but until I had had a proper period. I figured that would mean it was about 8 weeks after the op when I could potentially get pregnant.

I also have a miserable cold and don't much feel like ttc. I am tired and haven't had much energy for weeks.

But here's the thing: I have spent the last 15 months trying to conceive. I am programmed to want to have sex whenever I see the merest hint of EWCM. I don't think I am likely to get pregnant anyway now that I only have one tube (condition unknown) and I feel like time is slipping away. It took 9 months of ttc before I conceived my first ectopic. I've been pretty fertile ever since but AFAIK none of my beans has made it to the uterus. I hate the prospect of wasting an egg. I feel pretty good and well-recovered already - I've been pain free and back at work since 6 days after the operation and from what I've read lots of people don't feel better for weeks and weeks, so maybe I just heal fast. I know that the surgery worked because I have had a negative HPT, so if I did conceive I would know it was a new pregnancy and not left-overs from the last one.

That is how the little voice in the back of my mind is rationalising not waiting at all.

Please talk some sense to me. I am insane to even contemplate ttc right now, aren't I?

[TheUNITUBER]

Bump. Any words of wisdom?

[funtimewincies]

Sorry to hear about your situation. Wow, 6 days, I needed a good six weeks and couldn't walk for the first 3 days! I agree that the advice given is very mixed. I think that I waited 2 cycles. I had a tube removed in the November and I conceived my ds on the first cycle of trying, which was in the March and the third cycle after the op. I was mostly worried about any scar tissue that might not have healed and wanted to give my body the best chance but that was very much the choice of dh and myself.

It also really differs about when you feel able to cope with the possibility of it happening again, the worry of which is unavoidable. After my m/c I wanted to try again straight away but the ectopic was a different matter.

All the best.

[TheUNITUBER]

Thanks funtimewincies. I think that, weighing it up, the worst thing that could happen to me is to wait, then try (and maybe fail) while all the time feeling like time is slipping away. If I had another ectopic well, I would be upset (of course) but not as upset as if I felt I had wasted time waiting IYSWIM.

I think I am going to leave it up to my libido this cycle. I am so exhausted that I doubt I will get up to much anyway and even if we did, well, I can't help feeling that if my body isn't up to it then it probably won't conceive even if I do manage to find the energy!

Thanks for posting - it is really nice to hear from people who have been through this and managed to conceive easily afterwards.

[funtimewincies]

Good luck and hope that the ectopic-goblin has done his worst! If you fancy some support through it all, come and play on nelix's thread (I don't know how to link, but it's currently called 'Anyone else on CD1' or something like that). We're a laid-back and friendly bunch, if somewhat obsessed by grapefruit jiuce and EWCM .

[TheUNITUBER]

Thanks FTW. I might just pop over to that thread (although EWCM is the one thing I have masses of; common sense is what I am lacking!)

[funtimewincies]

You'll certainly be in great company in that case!