Someone I know just found out that she has an ectopic pregnancy. She’s been given the option of getting shots to end it or surgically remove it… but she was also told that with the surgery if the tubes arent repaired… it’s going to affect her chances of conceiving later on…
Anyone know anything about this stuff? Any firsthand experience? Which is better… shot or surgery? Is it harder to conceive later on or is that just a side effect that they hvae to tell the patient???
So she has 2 options:
1) medical management (methotrexate shots)- this is typically done if ectopic detected very early on in pregnancy, and the embryo size is small. Its less likely to have any affect on conceiving later on.
2) surgical intervention - there are two types.
a) they incise the tube and remove embryo and
b) they resect the portion of the tube with the embryo.
The second type is more likely to lead to adhesions, and hence may decrease chances of conceiving, but if your other fallopian tube is fine, there shouldn't be too much of a problem. However, type of surgery depends on the size of the embryo and the risk of rupture. If there is risk of rupture, they'll go for the second option.
I hope that answers your question.
Re: Ectopic
I have a question... isnt the shot given to patients who have cancer??? methotrexate?
Re: Ectopic
Yes its also used for certain types of cancer. But it has been in use for years in this type of case too. I personally dont know of anyone who has had this option, I only know one person who did not realize they had an ectopic - until the tube burst and she ended up in emergency surgery....things turned out fine but she did lose that one tube. Anyway, i wish your friend the best with whatever option she chooses.