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Home  >  Ectopic Pregnancy

Overview

English हिंदी

Ectopic Pregnancy - Symptom, Treatment And Causes

What is Ectopic Pregnancy?

For getting pregnant, the ovary has to release an egg inside the fallopian tube, where this unfertilized egg remains for 24 hours. During this period the egg has to come in contact with a healthy sperm to be fertilized. After fertilization this egg stays within the fallopian tube for another 2-3 days, before it heads towards the uterus. The fertilized egg then attaches itself to the uterine lining and continues to develop and grow to give the formation of a baby.

But there are certain rare instances, when this fertilized egg remains within the fallopian tube with moving into the uterus or lands up elsewhere inside the abdomen which results in formation of an ectopic pregnancy. As this condition is not normal, thus in this case the pregnancy fails to continue normally, and so requires an emergency treatment in order to save the life of the gestating women. No-one can tell you why you can land up with an ectopic pregnancy. One of the most common reasons for the cause of this deadly problem can be a damage in the fallopian tube.

The other reasons that can cause ectopic pregnancy are:

  • Getting infected with an STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) just before getting pregnant.
  • Pelvic inflammatory diseases.
  • Scarring that occurred for previous pelvic surgery.
  • Having a history of developing ectopic pregnancy.
  • Use of fertility drugs.
  • Adopting IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) methods for getting pregnant.
  • Getting pregnant along with an IUD (Intra-Uterine Device) like Copper-T which is meant for contraception.
  • Unsuccessful tubal ligation procedure.
  • Unsuccessful tubal ligation reversal procedure.

Diganosis and Medication :

When gestating patients are suspected of ectopic pregnancy, pregnancy tests and pelvic exam are done on the patients. Ultrasound tests may also be performed to get a peak on the conditions of the uterus and the fallopian tubes.

Because the fertilized egg just cannot survive anywhere else in a woman’s body other than her uterus, the fertilized egg must be terminated and removed to avoid serious complications in the pregnant patient.Medication and surgery, both are used as per the requirement of the patient for removing the egg from the pregnant woman’s body.

In the case of medication (if the pregnancy has not progressed very far), doctors provide injections of methotrexate for the patient to stop the tissue from growing any further and allows the body to absorb it gradually.In case of surgery, laparotomy is performed on the patient. Whereby the patient’s ectopic pregnancy or sometimes the fallopian tube is removed laparoscopically.

Though it’s hard, but women have good chances of getting pregnant again even after having an ectopic pregnancy.

Treatable by medical professional Require medical diagnosis Lab test required Short-term: resolves within days to weeks
Symptoms
Light vaginal bleeding. Vomiting with pain and constant nausea. Very sharp and painful abdominal cramps. Pain on one side of the abdomen. Weakness and dizziness. Pain in places like the rectum, shoulders and neck.

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In ordinary pregnancy, the egg released from the ovary becomes fertilized when it meets the sperm and travels through the fallopian tubes to the uterus where it grows in the following nine months. In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg never ...
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Popular Questions & Answers

Hi, My wife is diagnosed carting ectopic pregnancy. Her doctor is administering her folitrax. Also she is giving her Biopreg f. Is Biopreg f advisable when we want to clear ectopic pregnancy through injection.
Dr. Sameer Kumar | Lybrate.com
Dr. Sameer Kumar
MBBS, MD - Obstetrtics & Gynaecology, FMAS, DMAS
Gynaecologist, Noida
Hello, Biopreg-f is actually not required daily but folinic acid ripple,emtation in form of folate would be required along with methotrexate which is an anti-folate.

No follicular monitoring after using letrozole, just trying with these medications only pls suggest if we can get a chance to conceive with these medicines, else suggest a treatment to have a baby in our life, its been disappointment as we have been struggling since 4 years after had the ectopic, here in hyderabad most of the doctors are suggesting IVF is the best option, but even in ivf also not sure the assurance after taken. Please advise. This is the third month on letrozole and its day 2, pls suggest do we need to go for follicular study or try naturally.
Dr. Jayanthi. R. | Lybrate.com
Dr. Jayanthi. R.
MBBS, Certified IVF Specialist, MS - Counselling and Psychotherapy
IVF Specialist, Chennai
Hai. Until everything has been checked out and treated, it is not advisable to waste eggs every month by stimulating the ovaries. Please go for a hysterolaparoscopy and have all issues treated. This will help you decide on the next step to your tr...

I had an ectopic pregnancy in left tube due to which, my left tube was removed as well cysts from both ovaries were also removed during surgery. However, my right tube is healthy. What are the chances of getting healthy pregnancy again, and when should I prepare myself for next. Also, I have been taking met pco care for pcod problem and folic acids. How early can I expect?
Dr. Shanu Gairola | Lybrate.com
Dr. Shanu Gairola
MBBS, MD - Obstetrtics & Gynaecology
Gynaecologist, Ghaziabad
Hello lybrate-user, your chances of conceiving are best within the 1st 3 mths after surgery. Hope other causes for infertility are ruled out such as husbands semen analysis and pelvic tuberculosis.
2 people found this helpful

Me 15 Nov ko sex ki saare test negative aya to me phir b pill leli 3 din bleeding hua ultrasound report b negative aya per January me period nai aya to me dudh ajwain Khali to bleeding a gaya 7 din hua nrml period per isbar phir period nai aya is there any chance of ectopic?
Dr. Reena Kawatra | Lybrate.com
Dr. Reena Kawatra
MBBS, MD - Obstetrtics & Gynaecology
Gynaecologist, Gurgaon
If urine pregnancy test and betahcg test is Negative, there is no chance of pregnancy, however if you still have any doubts get an ultrasound done to confirm for ectopic.
2 people found this helpful

Ectopic pregnancy, pain in lower abdominal region. Can be treated with medicines or require any surgery. Effect on fallopian tube.
Dr. Shaivalini Kamarapu | Lybrate.com
Dr. Shaivalini Kamarapu
MBBS, MS - Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Gynaecologist, Warangal
If the sac is 4 cm size, haemodynamic stable, beta hcg less than 4000 medical treatment can help. If it's already ruptured laparotomy with resuscitation should be done.
1 person found this helpful
View All Questions & Answers

Table of Content

What is Ectopic Pregnancy?

The other reasons that can cause ectopic pregnancy are:

Diganosis and Medication :

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Hi! I am Dr. Masooma H Merchant, gynecologist, an obstetrician and laparoscopic surgeon. Today I will talk about a routine check-up during your pregnancy. If you miss your periods, first thing is to check your pregnancy at home with the help of th...
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