Physical & Emotional Trauma of Ectopic Pregnancy

Recovering From Tubal Pregnancy & Hope for a Healthy Pregnancy

Nov 7, 2009

Women who experience ectopic pregnancy are forced to go through both physical and emotional pain. Although terrifying, there is hope to achieving a healthy pregnancy.

Any newly pregnant woman may share her fears about pregnancy. She may worry about morning sickness, gaining too much weight, or having problems with delivery. Many women will worry about possible complications or even miscarriage. Most of these women will go on to have completely normal pregnancies without any complications, but for a few women who face ectopic pregnancy, they may experience devastation they didn't even know existed.

What is an Ectopic Pregnancy?

Ectopic pregnancy, or tubal pregnancy, is a pregnancy that develops outside of the uterus. In an ectopic pregnancy, a fertilized egg may settle and grow in the fallopian tube, the ovary, cervix, or abdomen. Ectopic pregnancy is very dangerous and can be life threatening. If unidentified, a fertilized egg can continue to grow and rupture the tube resulting in severe pain, bleeding, and death. Women should be aware of the possibility of ectopic pregnancy and become familiar with the symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy

Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy can vary, and depending on if a woman knows she is pregnant or not, they can be interpreted differently. A woman who knows she is pregnant may begin having pain or cramping in her lower abdomen. She may have bleeding or spotting. There may be nausea, vomiting, a feeling of dizziness, or pain in the shoulder. Pain may become worse when the woman is active.

Ectopic pregnancy sometimes does not show up on a pregnancy test. A woman may think she is just starting her period, but then there is more severe cramping than usual, or she may bleed longer than usual.

Some women may not show any signs of ectopic pregnancy and it may only be discovered by a routine ultrasound. Some may not have any physical symptoms, but possibly an emotional feeling of uneasiness that something is not right.

Hospital Procedures and Medical Treatment for Ectopic Pregnancy

It is important that any woman who suspects the possibility of ectopic pregnancy contact her doctor right away. For those who do not know if they are pregnant, a pregnancy test will be ordered. If pregnant, then blood tests to check for pregnancy levels are done, as well as an internal exam and ultrasound.

If an ectopic pregnancy is discovered, procedures will be determined by how much the pregnancy has developed, or if the tube has ruptured or not. If the embryo is still small, doctors will often prescribe the drug methotrexate to be used. It is usually administered by shot which goes into the bloodstream to reach the embryo and kill the cells which are helping the embryo grow. This in turn ends the pregnancy. Blood tests will be ordered as follow-ups to make sure the pregnancy levels are not rising and the pregnancy has ended.

If too large, the tube has ruptured, or internal bleeding is suspected, emergency surgery will be ordered. Either laparoscopic surgery or abdominal surgery will be administered to remove the pregnancy, stop the bleeding, and often repair or remove the tube affected.

If given the shot methotrexate, a woman may continue to have some pain and cramping, but soon the pain will subside. The chemical shot may cause nausea and dizziness.

If laparoscopic surgery was ordered, recovery time can mean an overnight stay in the hospital and then up to 10 days of taking it easy at home. For abdominal surgery, recovery time may be even longer. The surgery area will be tender and sensitive to the touch. A woman may still have menstrual-like bleeding for up to six weeks following either procedure.

Emotional Response and Recovery Time From Ectopic Pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy is a terrifying and devastating event in the life of any woman. Although the recovery and physical pain may be difficult, it is often the emotional trauma from an ectopic pregnancy that is harder to shake.

The woman who knew she was pregnant must go through the shock and sadness of knowing that her pregnancy cannot continue. Her dreams and excitement of being pregnant and carrying the baby to full term are destroyed as the pregnancy must end. The woman who didn't know she was pregnant may find herself overwhelmed at finding out she is pregnant yet losing the baby in the same day. She must face the fear of surgery but also incredible sadness at the same time.

Often a woman's spouse, family, and friends are worried and upset, but they may not know how to respond or offer comforting words. They may not understand what has happened or why the pregnancy cannot continue.

Possibilities of Having a Normal Pregnancy After Ectopic Pregnancy

Many women worry they will not be able to get pregnant after an ectopic pregnancy or that they may have another tubal pregnancy. The chances of having a second ectopic pregnancy are raised, but only by 10 to 15 percent. There is still a higher percentage that the next pregnancy will be normal, and doctors can perform different tests and X-rays which can make sure the tubes are undamaged and clear for conception. Even if the tube has been damaged or removed, it is still possible for a woman to conceive.

Ectopic pregnancy is devastating and takes both a physical and emotional toll, but with medical help and the support of friends and family, a woman can go on to have a happy, healthy pregnancy.

The copyright of the article Physical & Emotional Trauma of Ectopic Pregnancy in Pregnancy & Childbirth is owned by Becca Spjute. Permission to republish Physical & Emotional Trauma of Ectopic Pregnancy in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.