Lessons Learned from an Ectopic Pregnancy Journey

After seven days, we are officially discharged! It took us a little longer to see how we ended up in the billing, but our gracious God took care of it.

Remember the part where I shared how our HMO and the hospital had this disconnect on the coverage? It pulled through. It would not have been possible without our employee services manager, Chino. I praise God for his relentless heart in accomplishing this feat. I am grateful to the hospital, Pasig Doctors Medical Center, and our OB/GYNE, Doc Tania Victoria Verora, for helping us with the adjustments and other requests. This blessing was just in time when another colleague from PSTD reminded me that if it’s God’s Will, it is God’s bill. It was a great reminder not to let anxiety and worries overrule God’s plans. Our faith in God’s plans has been a source of inspiration and hope, leading us to this moment of being finally home! The first agenda when I got home was to restore a sense of normalcy. I replaced our bedsheet, fixed the laundry, cleaned some parts (I had to keep it easy first), and took a long shower, marking the beginning of our recovery at home.

The series of events highlighted our brokenness. We had a rollercoaster of emotions and uncertainties. Having an ectopic pregnancy made me read a lot about it, and in the process, I gained a deeper understanding. An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilized egg attaches itself to the fallopian tube outside the uterus. This can include other areas like a fallopian tube, the ovaries, your belly, or the lower part of your cervix, which is above the vagina. In more than 90% of cases, the egg attaches itself to a fallopian tube. This is called a tubal pregnancy. Unavoidable, and it’s relatively common.

Can a baby survive an ectopic pregnancy?

No. It’s important to note that the fertilized egg in an ectopic pregnancy is not “viable.” That means the egg can’t survive and grow into a baby that can survive in or outside your body. It will always result in a pregnancy loss. The egg can’t get the blood supply and support it needs to grow outside the uterus. It may sound like it, but it’s different from a miscarriage.

Despite the brokenness, immense blessings overflowed. I experienced zero body pains during this journey, and no rupture occurred. An ectopic pregnancy can cause your fallopian tube to burst or rupture. Emergency symptoms include major pain, with or without severe bleeding. Because a fertilized egg can’t survive outside a uterus, the OB/GYNE will recommend solutions to prevent life-threatening problems, such as medication or surgery. 

I thank God that the fertilized egg was too small. With an average level of creatinine and no body pains, I was qualified for Methotrexate therapy. Before the treatment, the OB/GYNE will need to run a few blood tests to measure my levels of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). It’s the hormone your body makes when it detects a pregnancy. The treatment wasn’t expensive, but it wasn’t easy to procure. It is one of the treatments used in chemotherapies so that I would understand its difficulty. After the shot, the hCG will be monitored for a significant drop in the count; otherwise, we need to readminister it. I’ll need to follow up until my blood no longer has hCG. As I have read, the methotrexate that you take during an ectopic pregnancy before the egg bursts is medically necessary. It can lower your risk of dying or other serious complications.

Yes, it may sound simple, but I had complex emotions. However, it was already a blessing rather than a surgery. Medically terminating our pregnancy is one thing; removing my right fallopian tube would be another. I pray there will be a significant drop in the hCG by the succeeding follow-ups. I pray for God’s hands on the success of the treatment and to guide the people who had been with us throughout the journey.

I am 90% emotionally and mentally okay; only God knows the 10%. Last Sunday’s message was timely. Really.

Even if God does not, He is still good.

Even if God does not, I will still worship Him.

Even if God does not, I will keep trusting Him.

Even if God does not, I will still obey Him.

A lot of breakthroughs have happened, for sure my husband has some as well, but here are mine:

  1. God will always answer our prayers. It’s just “not yet” for us.
  2. No one can ever be “prayerful” enough to get your heart in the spotlight. You must always be prepared through constant heart checks and alignment with the Lord.
  3. During this journey, my husband’s care and support reassured me that he would be a great father someday. His love and dedication were evident even before we knew the condition of our pregnancy, and I am grateful for his presence in my life.
  4. Our families have been a constant source of love and support throughout this journey. Their presence and care have been a comforting reminder that we are not alone, and we are grateful for their tireless support.
  5. As we move forward, we hold onto the hope that God is not yet done with us. We look to the future with optimism and faith, knowing He has a plan for us.

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