Signs Of Ectopic Pregnancy
Facts On Tubal Pregnancy, Including Signs, Causes and Treatment
Oct 10, 2009
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants itself outside of the uterus. Generally, implantation will occur in the fallopian tube (referred to as a "tubal pregnancy"). More rarely, the egg may implant itself in the ovary, cervical canal or the abdominal or pelvic cavities. If the egg implants outside the uterus, it will not grow or develop, and becomes dangerous to the mother's health (1).
Thankfully, ectopic pregnancies are rare, and only account for about 1-2% of all pregnancies in North America (2).
Possible Causes of Ectopic Pregnancy
There may be pre-existing factors that may contribute to a higher risk of an ectopic pregnancy. These include (2):
- Blocked fallopian tube due to scar tissue, therefore preventing the egg from travelling out of the fallopian tube and into the uterus where it should implant
- A medical condition that narrows the fallopian tubes
- A previous pelvic infection (such as pelvic inflammatory disease) or pelvic surgery
- An unsuccessful sterilization procedure which blocks the fallopian tube
- A previous ectopic pregnancy
- Possible link to progesterone birth control pills
- Possible link to synthetic estrogen exposure from their mother's womb before they were born
Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy
The following may be signs and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy (1):
- Irregular vaginal bleeding
- Missed or late period
- Severe pain in the abdomen, particularly on a specific side
- Bloated feeling in the abdomen
- Drop in blood pressure
- Fainting
An ectopic pregnancy is very dangerous for the mother. When the egg implants somewhere outside the uterus, this spot is usually too small to house a growing embryo, and does not provide the necessary nutrients and blood supply to nourish the embryo. Therefore, as the embryo grows, it will eventually rupture the surrounding tissues and organs and possibly cause massive internal bleeding and severe pain (1). This usually happens in about the 6th to 8th week of pregnancy.
Diagnosing Ectopic Pregnancy
If an ectopic pregnancy is suspected, a pelvic examination, blood test, and ultrasound will be conducted. A blood test will most likely show low or slowly rising levels of hcg in the the mother's system, which is always a sign of trouble. An ultrasound will show if the uterus is empty, or if there is blood in the abdominal or pelvic cavity. A pelvic exam will measure the uterus to see if it is growing or not. If it isn't, that is also a sign of trouble (3).
Treatment of Ectopic Pregnancy
The fetus and placenta must immediately be removed from wherever it has implanted. This can be done two ways. The medication methotrexate can be used if the ectopic pregnancy is very early and at low risk of rupturing. This will cause the contents of the pregnancy to break down and be reabsorbed by the body.
Laparoscopic surgery can also be used for treatment, which is generally chosen if the mother is at high-risk, if damage has already occurred, or if the ectopic pregnancy occurred other than in the fallopian tube. This procedure involves a thin tube that is inserted into the abdominal cavity. If the ectopic pregnancy was a tubal pregnancy, the fallopian tube will be cut and left to heal naturally (3).
Prevention
It is important to note that not all ectopic pregnancies can be prevented. However, there are steps that can be taken to minimize the chances of it happening. Pelvic inflammatory disease and STDs are common causes of ectopic pregnancies that occur in the fallopian tube, which are both are preventable. By protecting the body against STDs, and seeking early treatment in the event of an infection in the abdomen, genitals or bladder, pelvic inflammatory disease can be minimized (4).
For more pregnancy-related information, please visit: www.complete-pregnancy-guide.com
References:
1. Cherry, Sheldon H., MD, Understanding Pregnancy & Childbirth, 1992
2. Eisenberg et al, What to Expect When You're Expecting, 1991
3. emedicine.com
4. ehealthmd.com
 |
