Ectopic Pregnancy
An Ectopic Pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, most often it will implant in the fallopian tubes. Tubal pregnancies, as these are called, are responsible for 95% of ectopic pregnancies overall. Other places that the egg can implant in an ectopic pregnancy include the abdomen, ovary, or cervix.
As the pregnancy progresses and the egg continues to grow, it will eventually rupture the organ that it is implanted in. This is a very severe medical problem, causing severe bleeding and possibly even death if untreated.
What are the signs of an ectopic pregnancy?
Pain or vaginal bleeding are among the first signs or symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy. Other common signs of ectopic pregnancy are vaginal spotting, dizziness or fainting-caused by blood loss, low blood pressure, and lower back pain.
What causes an ectopic pregnancy?
An ectopic pregnancy is caused when the fertilized egg is unable to make it through the fallopian tubes into the uterus. Common causes of blockage in the fallopian tube are: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) or other infection or inflammation of the fallopian tubes. PID can be caused by gonorrhea or Chlamydia. Another cause of tubal blockage is Endometriosis (when cells from the lining of the uterus implant and grow elsewhere in the body) or scar tissue from prior surgeries.
How is an ectopic pregnancy diagnosed?
The diagnosis for ectopic pregnancy is done in several steps. First, the doctor or medical professional will conduct a urine test to test for pregnancy. Once the pregnancy is confirmed, you will then be given a blood test to measure the levels of HCG in your blood. Lower than normal HCG levels could be an indication of an ectopic pregnancy. If ectopic pregnancy is suspected, the doctor may perform an ultrasound to view the uterus to check for a developing fetus, though the ultrasound does not always indicate the presence of an ectopic pregnancy. Another possibility may be a pelvic exam to detect the areas that are causing you pain and check for an enlarged uterus. If no indication can be made from these tests, the doctor may ask you to return a few days later to follow up, as it is hard to detect pregnancy in the very early stages, 5 weeks or before.
How is an ectopic pregnancy treated?
There are various treatment options for ectopic pregnancy, depending on the stage of development of the pregnancy. In the earlier stages, you may be given an injection of methotrexate to stop the development of the embryo. However, if the ectopic pregnancy has progressed into a later stage, the embryo may have to be removed surgically. Sometimes, the removal can be done using laparoscopy. A laparoscopy is performed by making small incisions in the lower abdomen. A tiny video camera and instruments are inserted through these incisions. The image from the camera is shown on a screen in the operating room, allowing the surgeon to see what’s going on inside of your body without making large incisions. The ectopic pregnancy is then surgically removed and any damaged organs are repaired or removed.
Who is at risk for an ectopic pregnancy?
Any woman can experience an ectopic pregnancy. However, some women are at a higher risk for ectopic pregnancy:
- Over the age of 35
- Women with Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Infertility problems or use of infertility medication
- Women who have had surgery on one or more fallopian tubes
If you believe you are at risk for ectopic pregnancy, you should consult your doctor before becoming pregnant. If you are already pregnancy and think your pregnancy may be ectopic, speak with your doctor immediately. Early intervention is best in the case of ectopic pregnancy.