Fertility Concerns After Ectopic Pregnancy: Tracking Cycle & Timing

Question
I am 26, I have two children(4/95 & 1/98).  I then had an eptopic pregnacy(5/00).  They removed my left ovary and left tube(they were damaged due to the eptopic pregnacy).  I was advised to seek medical attention before trying to conceive again.  Well, my husband & I weren't trying to conceive but I think we may have.  My period was 9/11/04. My periods are usually every 21-26 days.(More often they are 21 days but now and again they come no later than the 26th day.)  I just took a pregnacy test and it was negative.  I think I may have tested too soon.  I'm just concerned that I find out ASAP to prevent damaging my other tube and ovary.  When is the correct time to test and how soon do I need to get in to the doctor's office?

Answer
If your last period started on September 11, the earliest day that you could have conceived would have been on September 20-24. If you did conceive at that time, a pregnancy test will not show a positive result until 14-21 days later. The best time to take a pregnancy test is seven days after you are late for your period.  If you do get a positive preganncy test result, you do not have to see the doctor until you are 6 weeks from your last period (September 11) because a sonogram will not show whether the baby is in the uterus or in the tube until that time. If you are not having any pain or bleeding, it is doubtful that there is any problem. It is unlikely that you will have another ectopic pregnancy and the only thing that should be done is to get an early pregnancy to make sure that the fetus is growing in the uterus. Before 6 weeks, nothing will be seen on sonogram. However, if you start bleeding and have pain on one side of the abdomen or the other, you should take two blood pregnancy tests (Beta HCG) 48 hours apart. If there is a doubling of the results in 48 hours, it indicates a viable intrauterine pregnancy. If there is a "plateau" of the results (leveling off), it can indicate an ectopic  (tubal) pregnancy. Good luck.