Unseen Turns: The Pain and Healing of Ectopic Pregnancy

Pregnancy opens up a whole new world of unknown possibilities and risks, such as Ectopic Pregnancy!

I will never forget the intense abdominal aching, sharp lightning bolts of pain shooting up my back to my shoulder, and feeling so lightheaded I had to be carried to the car and wheeled into the emergency room.

Read the full story here.

After several tests I was officially diagnosed with an Ectopic Pregnancy.

If you’re reading this with tears in your eyes—know this: you’re not alone. Whether you’ve just gone through it, are trying to make sense of it, or you are helping someone who has experienced it… let’s walk through this together.

What Is an Ectopic Pregnancy?

An ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, most commonly in one of the fallopian tubes. Because the egg can’t grow safely there, it becomes a life-threatening condition that requires medical attention, often urgently.

Helpful resource to read Miscarriage Grief: Managing the journey of healing.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), ectopic pregnancies occur in about 1 in every 50 pregnancies—or 2% of all reported pregnancies.

Symptoms to Look For

Recognizing the signs of an ectopic pregnancy can be life-saving. Here are some common symptoms to watch for, especially in early pregnancy (usually between 4–12 weeks):

Sharp or stabbing pain in the lower abdomen, pelvis, or shoulder
Vaginal bleeding (lighter or heavier than a normal period)
Dizziness or fainting (a sign of internal bleeding)

Always trust your gut. If something feels off, it’s okay to ask for help—even if you’re not 100% sure.

*Ask for an early ultrasound if you feel like something is off.

If someone you know had an ectopic pregnancy, here are some gift ideas for Her during this difficult time.

Healing After Ectopic Surgery

Healing from an Ectopic Pregnancy has two parts.

Healing Physically from your surgery.
Healing Emotionally from your loss.

Both are real and extremely important to receive the necessary recovery attention.

Here are a few gentle reminders for your healing journey:

Rest
You’ve just been through something physically intense. Let yourself rest, without guilt. Ask for help, say no to unnecessary extras, and give your body time to recover.

Acknowledge
Journaling or talking to someone is essential to your recovery. The emotions you are working through are very real and raw. (Use the free recovery download below, with gentle self-paced recovery prompts.)

>>> Access this FREE download that will walk you through simple, repeatable, practices I personally used during my 5 miscarriage recoveries.

Lean on Community
Sometimes you don’t need advice— you just need someone to sit with you or watch your other children, if any, for you to have a quiet moment.

Reach out to others who have experienced an ectopic pregnancy, whether in-person or online. Personally, I found comfort in reading other women’s ectopic pregnancy stories.

You can read my story here, miscarriage # 4 Part 2 (It was a random hidden twin pregnancy!)

Stats For Peace of Mind

It’s normal to feel anxiety about what the future might hold, I know I did, so here’s what the experts say.

Occurrence: Ectopic pregnancies account for about 1–2% of all pregnancies worldwide.

Recurrence: According to a review published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, the risk of having another ectopic pregnancy ranges from 10% to 20% depending on individual health factors and the condition of the fallopian tubes.

Related Post: 5 unspoken truths that appear after loss

Trying to conceive after losing one fallopian tube: This statistic came from my doctor, and I found it to be accurate. Your chances of conceiving drop from 100% to 80%. When trying to conceive, it is normal for it to take a few months longer.

Supportive advice if you have 1 fallopian tube: I was blessed to have 2 successful pregnancies post my ectopic pregnancy recovery; it just took a few extra months to get pregnant.