Ectopic Pregnancy - Symptom, Treatment And Causes

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 makes it to the uterus instead it stays in one of the fallopian tubes; this is also known as tubal pregnancy. In very rare cases, the egg also attaches itself to one of the two ovaries making your pregnancy difficult and putting your health in danger.

Treatments: Ectopic pregnancy is usually ended if it is detected at an early stage to prevent rupture and extreme blood loss. There are both medications and surgical options depending upon the stage of detection.

Medication: Methotrexate is a potent drug used to end ectopic pregnancy but it has several side effects like vomiting, stomachache, drowsiness and nausea. It requires several hormone and blood tests to determine its effects on the pregnancy. This medication will work only when your hormone levels during your pregnancy are low and the embryo does not have any heart activity.

Surgery: Surgical treatment of ectopic pregnancy is needed when the symptoms have become more rampant like increased hCG levels and excessive bleeding. At this stage, any kind of medication won't work and the possibility of a rupture becomes more prominent as time progresses. In such cases, Laparoscopic surgery is done, which requires a small incision and is safe and effective. If the patient happens to experience rupture, immediate emergency surgery is required.

Ectopic pregnancy tends to take care of itself by miscarriage, which is called expectant management. Medication is the first choice of treatment, it is usually very effective and surgery is used to treat severe cases when one becomes unresponsive to medications. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Many women have concerns about an ectopic pregnancy and we shall be solving all doubts about this dangerous condition right here today. An ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilised egg implants outside the uterus in a woman’s body. Ectopic, in fact, means ‘out of place’. The fertilised egg usually implants in the fallopian tubes whose actual work is to transport the ovum or egg from the ovaries to the uterus for fertilisation. This is why such pregnancies are also called ‘tubal pregnancies’. Sometimes the fertilised egg can also implant in the cervix or the ovaries of the hapless woman.

Normally pregnancies happen when a fertilised egg attaches itself to the uterine wall to grow and develop. Ectopic pregnancies are a serious condition and can cause internal bleeding and infection and even death of the expecting mother. That’s why knowing the symptoms is so important.

Common symptoms of ectopic pregnancy appear as the pregnancy matures. Initially the woman will have all the usual pregnancy-related symptoms like missing her period and breast tenderness, but soon the other alarming symptoms will start appearing like severe abdominal pain on one side, vaginal bleeding, severe cramps and nausea and vomiting, fainting spells and dizziness.

One should seek a doctor’s advice right away in this condition because ectopic pregnancy can be fatal. Why? Because as the fertilised egg is implanted in a part of a woman’s body which is not built to look after it, the embryo can burst in the fallopian tubes, cervix or wherever it has managed to implant itself. This mini-explosion inside the body is a leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths during the first trimester. This can lead to internal bleeding and infection, which is lethal.

During a normal pregnancy, a fertilised egg travels through the fallopian tube to the uterus. The egg attaches itself in the uterus and begins to develop. In an ectopic pregnancy, the egg attaches outside the uterus, most often in fallopian tube. This is the reason why it is also called a tubal pregnancy. In rare cases, the egg may implant itself in an ovary or the cervix.

There is no way to prevent an ectopic pregnancy. Also, it cannot be transformed into a normal pregnancy. If the egg continues developing in the fallopian tube, it can rupture the tube; the result of this could be fatal. If you have an ectopic pregnancy, you will require immediate treatment to end it before it causes any risks.

Risks involved: Things that make you more prone to an ectopic pregnancy are:

• The more you smoke, the higher your danger of an ectopic pregnancy.
• Pelvic incendiary malady (PID). This is the after effect of contamination, for example, chlamydia or gonorrhea.
• Endometriosis, which can bring about scar tissue in or around the fallopian tubes.
• Exposure to a chemical called DES before you conceived.

Symptoms: The signs of an ectopic pregnancy are:

• Pelvic pain. It might be sharp on one side at first before spreading through your belly. It might be more painful when you move or strain
• Vaginal bleeding

Diagnosis: To see whether you have an ectopic pregnancy, your specialist will probably take:

• A pelvic exam to check the span of your uterus and feel for any kind of growth in your tummy.
• A blood test that checks the level of the pregnancy hormone (hCG). This test is repeated 2 days after the fact. In early pregnancy, the level of this hormone duplicates itself every two days. Low levels recommend an issue, for example, ectopic pregnancy.
• An ultrasound. This test can demonstrate pictures of what is inside. With ultrasound, a specialist can more often than not see a pregnancy in the uterus 6 weeks after your last menstrual period.

Treatment: The most widely recognised treatments are medicines and surgery. As a rule, a specialist will treat an ectopic pregnancy immediately to prevent harm to the lady.
Prescription can be utilised if the pregnancy is discovered right on time, before the tube is harmed. Much of the time, one or more shots of methotrexate will end the pregnancy. Taking the shot gives you a chance to keep away from surgery; however, it can bring about reactions. You should see your specialist for follow-up blood tests to ensure that the shot worked.

For a pregnancy that has gone past the initial couple of weeks, surgery is a better option than medication. In this event, the surgery will be a laparoscopy. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a gynaecologist.

Pregnancy is considered to be one of the most challenging and important phases in the life of a woman.

Pregnancy Complications are health problems that occur during pregnancy. They can involve the mother’s health, the baby’s health, or both. Some women have health problems before they become pregnant that could lead to complications. Other problems arise during the pregnancy. Keep in mind that whether a complication is common or rare, there are ways to manage problems that come up during pregnancy.

Some complications that might occur during pregnancy are discussed below:

1. Severe Nausea and Vomiting: It is common for nausea and vomiting to occur during a pregnancy. In order to avoid this condition, one should consume several small meals throughout the day and completely avoid spicy and fatty foods.
2. A persistent abdominal pain, severe headache, swelling and visual disturbances during the third trimester: This can be a fatal condition and often is a sign of high blood preeclampsia (pregnancy complication involving high blood pressure as well as damage to another organ system). It can be diagnosed early using good prenatal care which essentially comprises of frequent check-ups with the doctor and all the necessary treatment during pregnancy.
3. Flu Symptoms: It is recommended that flu vaccine should be administered to pregnant women as they usually tend to develop the disease during their pregnancy.
4. Gestational Diabetes: Gestational diabetes can increase the chance of a larger baby at birth and create delivery complications, increase your risk for high blood pressure and cause the baby to have blood sugar problems after birth. If you are diagnosed, it’s important to consult your gynecologist to control your blood sugar level, which can often be done through diet and exercise.
5. Baby’s activity level significantly declines: Sometimes, the activity of a previously active baby might decline. This can be felt by reducing the number of the kicks by the baby. The doctor has specific equipment that aids in identifying and resolving the problem.
6. Bleeding: Heavy bleeding accompanied by abdominal pain and menstrual-type cramps during the first trimester might indicate an ectopic pregnancy (embryo is implanted outside one’s uterus) or a miscarriage while occurrence in the third semester indicates placental abruption (characterized by the placenta separating from the womb’s walls). Any form of bleeding warrants the immediate attention of the doctor. Steps to avoid bleeding include bed rest, avoiding heavy work, and keeping yourself hydrated.

A Healthy Pregnancy-

The best way to ensure a healthy pregnancy is to focus on the things you can control and don’t obsess about what could happen. Take good care of yourself and your developing baby and talk with a healthcare provider when you have concerns.

In a normal pregnancy, the egg that the ovaries release enters the fallopian tube. If a sperm fertilises it, the fertilised egg attaches itself inside the uterus. However, sometimes the fertilised egg can attach itself outside the uterus. This condition is called ectopic pregnancy.

Ectopic pregnancy can be detected in the first few weeks of the pregnancy itself. If your doctor does discover ectopic pregnancy, you would need immediate medical attention. Ectopic pregnancies can be sad and scary. Fortunately, one ectopic pregnancy doesn't mean you can never conceive again. Many women who lost their first baby to ectopic pregnancy have been able to have a healthy and normal pregnancy the second time around.

The causes of ectopic pregnancy include:

1. An inflammation or infection of the fallopian tube can lead it to become entirely or partially blocked.
2. Scar tissue from a surgery or an infection of the fallopian tube may also hinder the movement of the fertilised egg.
3. Surgery in the tubes or pelvic areas in the past might cause adhesions.
4. Birth defects or abnormal growths can cause anomalies in the shape of the tube.

These causes are usually followed by certain risk factors, such as:

• Age (The age group of 35-44 especially)
• An ectopic pregnancy in the past
• Previous abdominal or pelvic surgery
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Several prompted abortions
• Conceiving with an intrauterine device in place
• Smoking
• Endometriosis (growth of uterus lining tissues outside the uterus).
• Fertility treatments.

The signs and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy include:

1. Minimal vaginal bleeding
2. Vomiting and nausea with pain
3. Pain in the lower abdomen
4. Sharp cramps in the abdomen
5. Localised pain (Pain concentrated on one side of your body)
6. Pain in your neck, rectum or shoulder
7. Rupture of the fallopian tubes can cause fainting due to the bleeding and pain

The treatment of ectopic pregnancy can be any one of the following:

1. If the pregnancy has not progressed too far, methotrexate will be administered. This absorbs the pregnancy tissue and can save the fallopian tubes.
2. The tubes may be removed if they have ruptured or stretched, and have started bleeding.
3. Laparoscopic surgery (operations performed by making minor incisions) may be performed to remove or repair the tubes and recover the ectopic pregnancy. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult an IVF Specialist.