Ectopic Pregnancy

Ectopic Pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy can become every woman's nightmare if it is not caught in time. Since abdominal pain can be due to other reasons, it becomes difficult to diagnose ectopic pregnancy. If you previously underwent a miscarriage or your doctor is suspicious of a possible ectopic pregnancy, an ultrasound in the very early stages of your pregnancy might be recommended. The incidence has been on the rise since more and more couples are now seeking fertility treatment and the increase in pelvic inflammatory disease. Symptoms usually manifests around the 6th week of pregnancy. There are 2 types: ruptured and unruptured ectopic pregnancy.

What is Ectopic Pregnancy

• When the egg implants itself outside the uterus, usually the tubes, the pregnancy is known to be ectopic or tubal.

• The pregnancy cannot be saved since it is just not possible to transplant the ectopic pregnancy into your womb.

• The only option is to terminate it.

• Unless the body aborts the embryo on its own, surgical intervention becomes necessary as soon as a diagnosis is made.

• If it is not detected in time or resolved early, the fertilized egg grows in the narrow tube causing immense pain.

• The stretched tube will grow to a point after which it will burst.

• Once that happens, there will be a lot of blood loss and a lot of pain.

• If you reach the hospital in time you can save the tube and maintain fertility. One in ten pregnancies results in infertility.

Who is at risk

• If your fallopian tubes got damaged due to sterilization or endometriosis

• If you previously had an ectopic pregnancy

• If your mother took DES drug while pregnant with you

• If IUD was in place when you conceived

• If you have had fertility drugs or treatment

• If you had pelvic or abdominal surgery

• If you have had pelvic inflammatory disease or an STD such as gonorrhea or Chlamydia

What are the symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy

• Intermittent or persistent abdominal pain either on one side or generalized; usually cramp-like or stabbing

• Vaginal bleeding(plenty) or spotting(scant); less than period flow and can be red or dark brown in color

• Shivering and feeling faint due to blood loss

• Shock, clammy skin, weak racing pulse, paleness and collapse if bleeding is internal. Rupture has occurred so immediate help is crucial

• Pain worsens when emptying bladder or bowels, when you cough or when you are active

• Shoulder pain especially when you lie down; it is caused by internal bleeding which irritate the nerves that in turn affects the shoulder area

When in the hospital

The following tests will be carried out:

• Blood test to check for pregnancy hormones

• An internal examination

• Ultrasound via the vagina as trans-abdominal scans won't do at this point

• Laparoscopy to check the fallopian tubes; a small incision will be made in the abdomen

Treatment options

• If it is found very early on, drug treatment where an injection will be administered to the embryo causing it to die and this remnant will subsequently be absorbed into the system

• If bleeding has begun, the ectopic will be removed through surgery. If tube is intact, the tube will be cut to remove the egg and the tube will be left in place

• If the tube has ruptured, emergency surgery to remove the tube and stop the bleeding will become priority.

Aftermath

It pays to be cautious if you had an episode of ectopic pregnancy; you will need to take care of yourself physically and emotionally. If abdominal surgery was involved, it may take you 3 months to recover before you can try for another baby. And when you conceive next, you will need to take extra care and have extra scans to check on the location of the developing pregnancy