Trying to Conceive After Ectopic Pregnancy: Symptoms & Hope

Question
Brenda,
Hello!  My husband and I are trying ttc after I had an ectopic pregnancy back in October.  My doctor let me try clomid this past month and I am having a lot of symptoms of pregnancy but I am trying really hard to not get my hopes up as I read your answers all the time and know that symptoms alone are hormonal in nature.  Today is actually 4 weeks since my period and I know it is early but I still tested this morning and it was negative.  I have a lot of anxiety issues and I know I am driving my husband crazy with the whole "not knowing" issue.  My question to you is, how early on can a beta test show signs of a pregnancy?  As I want to get pregnant so bad, I am also very scared.  The ectopic pregnancy was horrible and I don't want to go through that again.  Also, do you know the success rate with Clomid?  Does it usually work the first month?

Thank you so much for your time.  

Answer
Dear Christy,

In clinical studies, about 30% of women taking Clomid became pregnant. I realize this may not seem as high as you would think, but you need to realize that many women who take Clomid have other fertility issues that just cannot be treated by or helped with the Clomid. As to how quickly it works, that also has many variables and is not set in stone. Ovulation typically takes place approximately 5-10 days after finishing the course of Clomid. So, if both partners are fertile and all other conditions are just right (just like with any other pregnancy), conception is likely if sex can take place every other day or so for the two weeks following the Clomid.

Serum beta hCG tests can often be accurate as early as 10-14 days following conception. I know how anxious you are, but I would suggest waiting another 7-10 days and doing another HPT. If that is also negative and you still have not had a period and are still having the hormonal symptoms, then go ahead and confirm with a quantitative blood test (serum beta hCG) if you would like. Make sure when you are testing to use 1st morning urine to get a concentrated sample for the most accurate results.

I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well and will have a positive thought for you!

Brenda