What Is An Ectopic Pregnancy?
Ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that occurs outside the uterus. If left unmanaged, there is a risk for rupture and life-threatening bleeding. It is rare, affecting one in every 100 pregnancies (1). The fertilized egg most commonly attaches to the fallopian tube in such a pregnancy, leading to a tubal pregnancy. It can also attach to the cervix, ovary, or somewhere in the abdominal cavity. In most cases, the fertilized egg cannot survive outside the womb, and the growing tissue can damage surrounding tissues (2). Read on to know more about the symptoms, causes, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment for ectopic pregnancy.
Signs And Symptoms Of An Ectopic Pregnancy
Symptoms develop in the early stages of pregnancy and vary from woman to woman. Some women will develop no symptoms until pregnancy ruptures. During early pregnancy, some women will begin to experience symptoms similar to that of a healthy pregnancy. They may include:
Missed menstrual period Sore breasts Upset stomach Low back pain or pelvic pain Vaginal spotting or bleeding Abdominal pain or tenderness Mild cramping at one side of the pelvic region
Around this phase, it is not easy to understand if it is a normal or ectopic pregnancy. But as the ectopic pregnancy develops, you could experience certain severe symptoms (3):
Sudden and severe pain in the abdomen, shoulder, neck or pelvis Vaginal spotting or bleeding that is light to heavy Dizziness, weakness or fainting Rectal pressure
You should see your doctor if you know about the pregnancy and are experiencing these symptoms.
Causes Of An Ectopic Pregnancy
The exact reason for an ectopic pregnancy is unknown. However, the condition is likely to be associated with one or more of the following conditions (4):
Scarring or inflammation of the fallopian tubes from a previous infection, medical condition or surgery Hormonal reasons Birth defects Genetic abnormalities Medical conditions that influence the shape and condition of the reproductive organs, such as the fallopian tubes
Note that only your doctor can make the correct diagnosis and give you specific treatment options based on the probable cause and risk factors.
Risk Factors For Ectopic Pregnancy
Factors that increase the chances of an ectopic pregnancy include (4):
Maternal age of 35 years and more Previous ectopic pregnancy History of fallopian tube, abdominal or pelvic surgeries or multiple abortions History of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) History of endometriosis Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia or gonorrhea Conception despite intrauterine device (IUD) or tubal ligation Conception through fertility drugs and procedures Cigarette smoking Structural abnormalities in the fallopian tubes
If you think you are at risk, discuss with your doctor or a fertility specialist to minimize the chances of ectopic pregnancies in the future.
How Is An Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosed?
Diagnosing an ectopic pregnancy is tricky. If the symptoms suggest that you are experiencing an ectopic pregnancy, your doctor may (5):
Test your blood for the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) Perform an ultrasound to check the uterus and fallopian tube condition Conduct a pelvic examination
If an ectopic pregnancy is confirmed based on the above findings, your doctor will suggest the best treatment plan.
Treating Ectopic Pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancies can be fatal to a pregnant woman. As a fertilized egg cannot survive outside the uterus, it has to be immediately removed for the safety of the mother. Treatment may depend on the pregnancy stage, hormonal levels, and location of the ectopic pregnancy.
Medication: If your doctor determines that there are no chances of immediate complications, medicinal treatment is suggested. According to the American Family Physician (AFP), the common medication prescribed is methotrexate (Rheumatrex). This drug inhibits the growth of the quickly dividing cells or ectopic mass in this case.
It is available in the form of an injection and results in miscarriage-like symptoms including, bleeding, cramping, and the passing of the tissue. But the only downside with this treatment is that you will not conceive for several months after taking medicine (6).
Surgery: The embryo is removed using a procedure called laparoscopy. A small incision is made near the belly button, into which a tiny camera is passed for a better view. The surgeon then removes the pregnancy using surgical tools. Sometimes, the surgery can scar the fallopian tubes, which will then be either repaired (salpingostomy) or removed (salpingectomy) (7).
Emergency surgery: If the condition is causing heavy bleeding, you may need immediate surgery using laparotomy. It involves an abdominal incision and removal of the ectopic mass. Also, the tube may be removed if it is ruptured (7).
Are There Any Side Effects Of Surgery?
The possible side effects of surgery for ectopic pregnancy include bleeding, pain, fatigue, and infection (8). Your doctor will discuss these before the procedure.
Home Care After Surgery
Follow the doctor’s instructions to take care of the incision site at home. The primary goal is to keep it dry and clean as it heals. You should also check the incision for signs of infection regularly. This can be:
Severe and uncontrollable bleeding A foul smell at the incision site Tender to touch Swelling and redness
You may also notice some light spotting and tiny blood clots after the surgery, which could last for nearly six weeks post-surgery. Here are a few more self-care measures that may help you at home:
Avoid lifting anything heavy Have lots of fluids to treat constipation Rest as much as you can Avoid sexual intercourse, douching, and using tampons to give some rest to the pelvic area
See your doctor if you feel any pain or that something is not right.
Can You Prevent Ectopic Pregnancy?
No, ectopic pregnancy cannot be prevented entirely, but there are certain ways to reduce the chances of developing it (9).
Use condoms during intercourse to avoid the risk of sexually transmitted infections and pelvic inflammatory diseases. Avoid sex with multiple partners. Quit smoking before you try for pregnancy.
Next, we address some common queries for your better understanding of the condition If an infection or sexually transmitted disease were the cause for your ectopic pregnancy, then getting the condition treated improves the chances of conception. But, if the ectopic pregnancy occurs due to tubal ligation or exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES), the chances of a healthy pregnancy are lesser. If you’ve had an ectopic pregnancy, check with your doctor before you plan for the next pregnancy. Ensure that you give enough time for yourself to heal emotionally and physically, especially if you’ve had surgery to treat it. Dealing with an ectopic pregnancy, when you want to have a child, is not easy. If necessary, join a counseling group or talk to a therapist. Do you have any experiences to share? Let us know in the comment section below.
References:
Recommended Articles:
Implantation Symptoms: What Are The Early Signs? What Is Viable/ Non-Viable Pregnancy? Cryptic Pregnancy: Causes, Signs & Prevention Pregnancy After Tubal Ligation
