Vital Information About Ectopic Pregnancy

Executive Summary By Saurabh K Jain

What is Ectopic Pregnancy? Ectopic pregnancy is one which is developing in the wrong place. In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg or ovum fails to move down through the fallopian tube to the uterus. Most ectopic pregnancies lead to immediate miscarriage, while others need medical attention.

Reasons for Ectopic Pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancies occur in women with damaged fallopian tubes. A history of pelvic inflammatory disease, previous surgery, scar tissue, endometriosis, or previous ectopic pregnancies increases the likelihood of such a pregnancy. Chances of ectopic pregnancies increase if you become pregnant while using a contraceptive-coil or a progestogen only contraceptive pill. The ovum may attach itself somewhere else, leading to ectopic pregnancy.

Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy

Pain in shoulder, which intensifies when breathing in and out, is also a sign of ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy is often difficult to diagnose, as the symptoms are that of a normal pregnancy, such as tender breasts, nausea, frequent urination, missed period, and vomiting. An internal pelvic examination will reveal that the womb is smaller in an ectopic pregnancy than in a normal pregnancy at the same stage of pregnancy. A swelling is also a sign of this type of pregnancy.

Treatment

Most ectopic pregnancies need to be surgically treated or need proper medication. With technological advancements, it has become a lot easier to detect an ectopic pregnancy.

Get To Know About Ectopic Pregnancy

Executive Summary By Apurva Shree

Ectopic Pregnancy is commonly known as tubular pregnancy.

What Happens In An Ectopic Pregnancy?

Normally a fertilized egg implants itself inside the womb (uterus). In the initial stages the woman experiences only the normal early symptoms. Check out for any sign of ectopic pregnancy.

• Abdominal pain is one of the first symptoms. This happens when the egg grows in size.
• Shoulder pain, which intensifies while breathing is an alternative symptom.
• Vaginal bleeding different from normal periods.
• Diarrhea, paleness, lightheadedness, collapsing.
• Increasing pulse rate, falling blood pressure.

If you suspect an ectopic pregnancy, rush to your doctor for immediate help. If it occurs in the fallopian tubes, it can cause bursting or damage of the tubes. Risk of such pregnancy increases with following factors.

• Already damaged fallopian tube(s) due infections such as pelvic inflammatory disease or by previous surgery, scar tissue.
• Previous ectopic pregnancies.
• Getting pregnant when on contraceptive-coil or certain types of contraceptive pill.
• Pregnancies through test tube methods. Even though fertilized egg is placed directly in the uterus it can attach itself elsewhere.

If you are lucky with a natural miscarriage, that is great. The doctor can only get rid of the wrongly positioned egg from your body.

It is more beneficial if you do this as you plan for pregnancy.

An abnormal pregnancy period like this followed by surgical intervention can be devastating for a mother-to-be.

Ectopic Pregnancy – Ten Symptoms You Should Not Ignore

Executive Summary By Patty Hone

An ectopic pregnancy, sometimes called a tubal pregnancy, happens when a fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the lining of the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies are sometimes difficult to diagnose. Symptoms are very similar to normal pregnancy symptoms and some women have no symptoms at all. A pregnancy that develops inside the fallopian tube will eventually rupture if left untreated.

Here are ten ectopic pregnancy symptoms you should not ignore.

1. Vaginal spotting or bleeding: One of the first warning signs of an ectopic pregnancy is spotting or bleeding.

2. Slow rising hCG levels: Your doctor may run a quantitative hCG test in early pregnancy if you are having vaginal spotting or if he suspects ectopic pregnancy. Slow rising hCG levels can be an indicator of an ectopic pregnancy. During a normal pregnancy, hCG levels will double every two to three days in early pregnancy.

3. Cramping: Mild cramping during early pregnancy is normal, but severe cramping or cramping accompanied with spotting, is not normal and could be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy.

4. Dizziness: Dizziness is another sign of an ectopic pregnancy. Dizziness may be a result of internal bleeding.

5. Pain on one side: Pain on one side is something that you should alert your doctor about. Women may notice mild to severe abdominal pain located on one side. Not all women with ectopic pregnancies will notice pain.

6: Rectal pressure, gas pain, or feeling constipated: Sometimes the pain from an ectopic can be mistaken for gas pain or constipation. If you are having severe gas pain during early pregnancy don’t dismiss this. Call your doctor.

7. Low blood pressure: If the ectopic pregnancy goes undiagnosed and there is internal bleeding, this can cause a woman’s blood pressure to drop.

8. Shoulder pain: Shoulder pain may result after the ectopic pregnancy has ruptured. Shoulder pain is an indicator that the tube has already ruptured and if you notice shoulder pain, especially if it is accompanied with other ectopic pregnancy symptoms, you should get immediate medical attention.

9. Nausea: Nausea is also a symptom. Since morning sickness is very common during early pregnancy, this symptom may be hard to distinguish from normal pregnancy symptoms.

10. Shock: If the fallopian tube ruptures, a woman will have internal bleeding and may go into shock from all of the bleeding. Ectopic pregnancies can be life threatening. A ruptured tube will require hospitalization, surgery, and possibly a blood transfusion

Please read also another article about baby crib and when pregnant