A fertilized egg is the starting point for a pregnancy. Normally, the fertilized egg adheres to the uterine lining. An ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg implants and grows outside of the uterus's main cavity.
Ectopic pregnancy is most commonly found in a fallopian tube, which transports eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. A tubal pregnancy is a form of ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy can develop in other parts of the body, such as the ovary, abdominal cavity, or the lower section of the uterus (cervix) that links to the vagina.
An ectopic pregnancy cannot be carried out normally. If left untreated, the fertilized egg cannot survive, and the developing tissue may cause life-threatening hemorrhage.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ECTOPIC PREGNANCY?
At first, you may not notice any symptoms. However, some women who have an ectopic pregnancy experience pregnancy symptoms such as a missed period, breast soreness, and nausea.
The outcome of a pregnancy test will be positive. Even yet, an ectopic pregnancy cannot be treated normally.
Signs and symptoms become increasingly obvious when the fertilized egg develops in the wrong area.
Early detection of ectopic pregnancy
Light vaginal bleeding and pelvic discomfort are frequently the first indicators of an ectopic pregnancy.
If blood seeps from the fallopian tube, you may have shoulder discomfort or the desire to urinate. The location of the blood pooling and which nerves are affected determine your individual symptoms.
Symptoms of an emergency
If the fertilized egg continues to develop in the fallopian tube, it has the potential to burst the tube. There is a good chance of internal bleeding. Extreme lightheadedness, fainting, and shock are all symptoms of this potentially fatal occurrence.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF ECTOPIC PREGNANCY?
A tubal pregnancy, the most frequent kind of ectopic pregnancy, occurs when a fertilized egg becomes blocked on its journey to the uterus, generally due to inflammation or distorted fallopian tubes. Hormonal imbalances or improper growth of the fertilized egg might potentially be factors.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR ECTOPIC PREGNANCY?
The following factors increase your chances of having an ectopic pregnancy:
- Ectopic childbirth in the past: If you've had a previous pregnancy like this, you're more likely to have another.
- Tubal surgery: The chance of an ectopic pregnancy increases after surgery to repair a closed or damaged fallopian tube.
- Choice of birth control: It is uncommon to become pregnant while wearing an intrauterine device (IUD). If you become pregnant while wearing an IUD, the pregnancy is more likely to be ectopic. Tubal ligation, popularly known as "getting your tubes tied," is a permanent form of birth control that increases your risk if you become pregnant after the treatment.
- Smoking: Cigarette smoking right before becoming pregnant might raise your chances of having an ectopic pregnancy. The higher the risk, the more you smoke.
- Infection or inflammation: Infections transferred via sexual contact, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, can cause inflammation in the tubes and other adjacent organs, increasing your chance of an ectopic pregnancy.
- Treatments for infertility: According to some data, women who receive IVF or equivalent therapies are more likely to have an ectopic pregnancy. Infertility may also increase your risk.
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF ECTOPIC PREGNANCY?
An ectopic pregnancy might rupture your fallopian tube. The burst tube might cause life-threatening bleeding if not treated.
HOW IS ECTOPIC PREGNANCY DIAGNOSED?
A pelvic exam can assist your doctor in detecting discomfort, tenderness, or a tumor in the fallopian tube or ovary. Your doctor, however, cannot identify an ectopic pregnancy just by examining you. Blood tests and an ultrasound will be required.
Pregnancy test
To confirm your pregnancy, your doctor will conduct a human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) blood test. This hormone's levels rise during pregnancy. This blood test may be repeated every few days until an ultrasound can confirm or rule out an ectopic pregnancy — generally five to six weeks after conception.
Ultrasound
Your doctor can see the exact position of your pregnancy using a transvaginal ultrasound. A wand-like instrument is inserted into your vagina for this test. It creates images of your uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes using sound waves and delivers them to a nearby monitor.
Abdominal ultrasonography, which involves moving an ultrasound wand over your tummy, can be used to confirm your pregnancy or to check for internal bleeding.
Additional blood tests
To screen for anemia or other symptoms of blood loss, a full blood count will be performed. If you have an ectopic pregnancy, your doctor may also order blood tests to determine your blood type in case you need a transfusion.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR ECTOPIC PREGNANCY?
Outside of the uterus, a fertilized egg cannot develop properly. The ectopic tissue must be removed to avoid life-threatening consequences. This may be accomplished with medication, laparoscopic surgery, or abdominal surgery, depending on your symptoms and when the ectopic pregnancy is diagnosed.
Medication
An early ectopic pregnancy without unstable bleeding is often treated with methotrexate, a drug that inhibits cell development and dissolves existing cells. The drug is administered through injection. Before undergoing this therapy, it is critical that the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy be confirmed.
Following the injection, your doctor will schedule another HCG test to see how well the therapy is working and whether you require further medicine.
Laparoscopic procedures
Two laparoscopic operations used to treat ectopic pregnancies are salpingostomy and salpingectomy. A tiny incision is created in the belly, near or in the navel, for these procedures. Your doctor will then examine the tubal region with a narrow tube fitted with a camera lens and light (laparoscope).
The ectopic pregnancy is removed during a salpingostomy, and the tube is permitted to heal on its own. The ectopic pregnancy and the tube are both removed during a salpingectomy.
The method you choose is determined on the quantity of bleeding and damage, as well as if the tube has ruptured. Another consideration is if your other fallopian tube is normal or exhibits evidence of previous injury.
Emergency surgery
If your ectopic pregnancy is producing excessive bleeding, you may require immediate surgery. This can be accomplished either laparoscopically or via an abdominal incision (laparotomy). The fallopian tube can be spared in rare situations. A burst tube, on the other hand, must usually be removed.
HOW CAN ECTOPIC PREGNANCY BE PREVENTED?
There is no way to avoid an ectopic pregnancy, however there are certain things you can do to reduce your chances:
- Limiting the number of sexual partners and using a condom when having sex helps to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and may lower the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Don't smoke. If you do, stop before you try to conceive.