Ectopic Pregnancy - A Better Understanding

What Is Ectopic Pregnancy?

The dictionary definition of the word 'Ectopic' is an organ or body part

existing in an unusual position or form. In simple terms, an ectopic pregnancy

is a pregnancy, which is developing in the wrong place. An ectopic pregnancy

occurs when the fertilized egg (or ovum) fails to move down the fallopian tube

and into the womb (or uterus) in the normal manner. Instead, the egg or ovum

implants itself outside of the womb. Most often, (in 95% of cases), ectopic

pregnancies develop in a fallopian tube and rarely, elsewhere in the abdominal

cavity or pelvic area. For example, an egg can attach itself on an ovary, on the

neck of the womb (cervix) or on another organ within the pelvic or abdominal

area (1.5% abdominal, 0.5% ovarian & 0.03% cervical). Ectopic pregnancies do not

usually survive and many will result in a spontaneous miscarriage, others will

develop until a serious problem becomes apparent, which will require immediate

medical attention.

What Causes An Ectopic Pregnancy?

Sometimes the ovum fails to implant itself and it becomes fertilized outside of

the reproductive system. More commonly, the fertilized ovum is trapped, in the

fallopian tube and the baby continues to grow inside the tube where it can cause

the tube to burst or otherwise severely damage it. A burst tube is life

threatening and requires urgent medical attention.

In many cases, ectopic pregnancies occur when the expectant mother has damaged

fallopian tube(s). Tubes damaged, by infections such as pelvic inflammatory

disease or by previous surgery, scar tissue, endometriosis or previous ectopic

pregnancies are a high-risk factor, which significantly, increase the likelihood

of a pregnancy being ectopic. Another risk factor associated with ectopic

pregnancies is becoming pregnant, whilst using a contraceptive-coil or a

progestogen only contraceptive pill. Pregnancies resulting from in vitro

fertilization (i.e. test-tube methods) can be ectopic - even though, the

fertilized egg is placed directly into the womb, it may still attach itself

elsewhere. In some cases, none of the above risk factors are present in the

expectant mother.

What Are The Warning Signs Of An Ectopic Pregnancy?

Pain In the Abdomen - The first sign of an ectopic pregnancy can be a pain on

one side of the abdomen. This pain can be constant and severe and its onset,

sudden.

Pain in the Shoulder - An alternative warning sign could be a pain in the

shoulder, which intensifies when breathing in and out.

Pain Using the Lavatory - If you suspect you are pregnant and experience pain

during visits to the bathroom you should report this to your medical

practitioner.

Other Warning Signs

Vaginal bleeding or unusual periods, lighter or heavier than normal, or a

strange color etc

Sickness

Diarrhoea

Pallid complexion (paleness)

Light-headedness

Collapse

Increasing pulse rate

Falling blood pressure

Diagnosing An Ectopic Pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancies can be hard to detect as in many cases, the symptoms are no

different from those of a normal, early pregnancy, i.e. tender breasts, nausea,

vomiting, missed periods or frequent urination. If you are a sexually active

woman of childbearing age and you experience symptoms of an early pregnancy plus

any, of the above warning signs, of an ectopic pregnancy, contact your medical

practitioner immediately.

A urine pregnancy test will usually be positive but is not always apparent.

However, a specialized hCG blood test will always show a positive result. If a

pregnancy is ectopic, the womb will often be smaller than the average womb at

that stage of pregnancy and this will be detected during an internal pelvic

examination. A doctor can sometimes detect a swelling, during an internal

examination, which is evidence of an ectopic pregnancy existing.

An ultrasound scan will differentiate between a possible miscarriage, a normal

pregnancy and an ectopic pregnancy.

The majority of women diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy will require surgical

intervention and/or medication. In the worst-case scenario, without this

intervention, an ectopic pregnancy can be fatal to the mother. Medical and

technological advancements mean that ectopic pregnancies are easier to detect

than ever before and therefore, they carry less risk than they did in previous

years. Technological advancements have significantly improved the treatment of

ectopic pregnancies - keyhole surgery is just one example of this.

It is vital to seek the opinion of a medical practitioner if you suspect you are

carrying an ectopic pregnancy.

David Brewer is a pregnancy expert and owner of Facts-About-Pregnancy.com [http://www.facts-about-pregnancy.com] - A comprehensive online pregnancy resource center. Visit his blog for daily updates on all types of pregnancy topics - [http://www.facts-about-pregnancy.com/blog]