Ectopic Pregnancy

In most pregnancies, the fertilized egg travels through the fallopian tubes and then attaches itself to the walls of the uterus. When an egg is implanted anywhere other than the uterine wall, the pregnancy is referred to as an Ectopic Pregnancy.

The abnormal implantation location is most usually within the fallopian tubes. This is the reason ectopic pregnancies are commonly called "tubal pregnancies".]

http://www.webmd.com/baby/tc/ectopic-pregnancy-topic-overview

Although rare, an egg is sometimes implanted within the ovaries, the stomach or the cervix.

Unfortunately, nothing can be done to save a pregnancy that is ectopic. These pregnancies will never become a normal pregnancy.

Termination of the pregnancy is necessary.

Ectopic Pregnancy poses an immediate threat to a woman's life. If not treated, the egg will continue to grow; most likely within the fallopian tubes. If allowed to continue its growth, the egg will become large enough to damage the fallopian tubes. The possibility is likely that the fallopian tube will burst. A ruptured of burst fallopian tube would result in heavy bleeding that could become fatal to the mother.

If you suspect that your pregnancy is ectopic, please seek medical help immediately.

The beginning of most pregnancies are the same. Shared conditions such as, breast soreness, fatigue, nausea and an absent menstrual period will also occur during an ectopic pregnancy.

The major indication that a pregnancy may be ectopic is pain within the side, the vagina or the stomach. This pain associated with ectopic pregnancy is often reported as being primarily on either the left or right side; however, this is not always the case.

Another common description of women who have suffered ectopic pregnancies is a pain that is sharp or stabbing on one side at first. Eventually, the pain spreads across the abdomen. The pain is usually noticeably increased with movement or strain.

Vaginal bleeding is another indication of ectopic pregnancy.

If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant and have any of these symptoms, please seek medical attention immediately.

The first step in determining an ectopic pregnancy is to test for pregnancy in general. Testing for pregnancy; whether ectopic of normal, is the same. A urine sample will be collected from you for the urine pregnancy test.

If the pregnancy test is positive, your medical professional will conduct a pelvic exam. The pelvic exam will allow the doctor to determine the growth as well as tenderness of your uterus.

hCG or The Human Chorionic Gonadotropin is a glycoprotein hormone that is produced during pregnancy. The production of this hormone is in direct response of the developing embryo after conception and later by the syncytiotrophoblast. During the beginning of pregnancy, this hormone doubles every other day. A blood test will be administered to test the level of hCG. Another test will be done two days later. Low levels of hCG indicate a problem; quite often this problem is ectopic pregnancy.

An ultrasound will be performed to see if a developing fetus is within the uterus. On average, a fetus is only visible six weeks after your last menstrual period.

If a positive pregnancy test result is given and there is not a fetus within the uterus after about six weeks, an ectopic pregnancy is likely.

Smoking; whether presently a smoker or an ex smoker, increases your risk for having an ectopic pregnancy. The more you smoke or have smoked, the greater your odds of suffering an ectopic pregnancy.

Endometriosis often causes scarring of the fallopian tubes. A woman who has a medical history of endometriosis is more likely to experience an ectopic pregnancy.

Women with a history of PID or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease; usually caused from chlamydia or gonorrhea, have an increased risk of having an ectopic pregnancy.

If you were exposed to DES (diethylstilbestrol) before birth, the risks of your having a pregnancy that is ectopic are greater.

Surgeries such as tubal litigation, infertility treatment surgeries performed on the fallopian tubes and ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) surgeries increase your likelihood of having a tubal pregnancy.

Any damage that is a result from an infection after surgery of any kind that leaves scarring on either the fallopian tubes or the uterus may also increase your risk of having a ectopic pregnancy.

If you have previously been diagnosed with having an ectopic pregnancy, you are more likely to have another ectopic pregnancy and would be considered a high risk pregnancy. Please inform your physician of all of your medical history; especially of any past ectopic pregnancies.

A link has been made between fertility drugs that cause superovulation and a greater than normal risk of ectopic pregnancy. Clarity on the link is yet to be made by experts as it is not certain if the drugs themselves are causing damage to the fallopian tubes or if the women who have taken the medication already had abnormal or damaged fallopian tubes.

It is always crucial that you share all your medical history with your doctor. This includes ectopic pregnancies; especially in subsequent pregnancies.

If you are at an above normal or are high risk at having an ectopic pregnancy, your health care provider will monitor you closely until he or she is able to determine if a normal implantation was made.

If you smoke, stop. While smoking during your lifetime in any quantity does increase your risk of having an ectopic pregnancy, the amount you currently are smoking has the greatest impact.

Practice safe sex by using a condom. PID is almost always the result of an STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease that has caused scarring of the fallopian tubes. This scarring is what increases your risk of having an ectopic pregnancy.

Preventing an ectopic pregnancy completely is impossible, but lowering your risks is not. Lowering the complications associated with an ectopic pregnancy is made possible by early detection and immediate treatment. If you are at high risk for ectopic pregnancy or experience any of the symptoms associated with an ectopic pregnancy, seek immediate treatment. The "wait and see" method is dangerous and potentially life threatening.

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you have Ectopic Pregnancy, please consult your doctor.

• EPF: Ectopic Pregnancy Forums

• BabyCenter: Bulletin Boards - Ectopic Pregnancy

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