Expert: Pat G - 5/13/2010

Question
QUESTION: i was pregnant but then i had a miscarriage at about 14weeks. i went to the doctor after and a week later( now id be about 17weeks) he called saying that i need to come in asap because he thinks i have an ectopic pregnancy. this meaning i ws pregnant with twins and lost one with other being ectopic. shouldnt he have dectected this by now? being that im over 4months. how come i havent shown any signs of ectopic pregnancy or anything? would the baby still be alive now? could i carry to term? so many questions are running thru my head.

ANSWER: Hello, Shan,

Offhand, it really sounds like this doctor is handing you a line. Unless you conceived while you were pregnant with the baby you lost. That can happen, but it's rare. Ectopic pregnancies usually rupture the tube at about 6 weeks.

Here's what I suggest. Get a second opinion, right away. Find a doctor you can trust. There are good doctors who work with organizations that help pregnant women. These organizations can recommend someone, and many of them can also do an ultrasound, and if you have an ectopic pregnancy, then they might be able to see it. In order to find an organization in your area, go to this web site:

http://www.pregnancycenters.org/

Nobody has developed a method for transplanting a baby from the tube to the uterus. As far as I know, nobody is even trying. Without the ability to transplant the baby, survival is virtually impossible. Occasionally, a baby will survive, growing in the abdominal cavity, but that is very risky for the mother, and requires surgery for birth. But I think your first question needs to be answered: do you even HAVE an ectopic pregnancy?

Please check it out, and then let me know what you find out. Please take care of yourself.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: a doctor confirmed its a miscarriage. i don't really understand my options. he said he the baby is in my abdomen and its not growing, it has little to no heartbeat. i was wondering can you explain my options and where do i go from here?

Answer
Hello, Shan,

This whole thing sounds rather strange. A tubal pregnancy is not in the abdomen, it's in the tube. While it is true the tube is in the abdomen, I've never heard someone tell a woman her baby is in her abdomen when she has a tubal pregnancy. I don't know what kind of options one should consider, if any. I don't think it's about options. If you talk to another doctor and get a second opinion, that would be a very good idea. If there is a heartbeat at all, there is still hope. See if the other doctor agrees that there is a baby outside your uterus. If you go to the organization, they may be able to do an ultrasound and figure out what is going on. So why not go ahead and do that, and then let me know what you find out. If they have to do surgery to safeguard your life, he will let you know. Take care.