This involves a blood test to evaluate her pregnancy hormone levels and an ultrasound to visualize the location of the developing fetus plus a pelvic exam. What happens to the fetus? The fetus rarely survives longer than a few weeks because tissues outside the uterus do not provide the necessary blood supply and structural support to promote placental growth and circulation to the developing fetus.
The sad truth is that when a pregnancy is ectopic, the fetus will not survive. How is it treated? There is no medical technique for transferring an ectopic pregnancy to the uterus where it could develop into a healthy pregnancy and baby.
Methotrexate is commonly used for treating cancer because it destroys rapidly dividing cells. What happens to the mother? Sometimes, ectopic pregnancies result in miscarriages, but more often, the fallopian tube where the fetus is implanted stretches and becomes inflamed and extremely painful.
Most cases of ectopic pregnancy require emergency medical treatment because the growing fetus can cause the fallopian tube to rupture and as a result, massive internal bleeding can occur.
A health professional will be able to provide advice on choosing the most appropriate kind of support for a person, couple or family who has experienced an ectopic pregnancy. Q: How common is ectopic pregnancy? A: About one in 50 pregnancies are ectopic. Some ectopic pregnancies will resolve before they produce symptoms. Q: Can a person have an ectopic pregnancy with a copper coil IUD? A: IUDs ensure a very low risk of any pregnancy, either intrauterine or ectopic.
Q: Can a person have an ectopic pregnancy with IVF? A: Yes, in vitro fertilization puts a person at higher risk of ectopic pregnancy.
It may increase the occurrence of unusual types of ectopic pregnancies, such as heterotopic pregnancy, in which there is simultaneous intrauterine and tubal pregnancies, and interstitial pregnancy, which occurs in the part of the fallopian tube embedded in the uterus wall.
Q: Is it possible to miscarry an ectopic pregnancy? A: In the very early stages, the fetus may pass out of the cervix on its own, without the need for further treatment. This may result in some symptoms of miscarriage being present. As the fetus develops, it becomes less likely that it will pass out of the womb on its own, and medical or surgical management will be needed to remove it.
However, the techniques used to treat ectopic pregnancy may differ from those used to treat incomplete miscarriage. See this resource on miscarriage for more information. Q: Is prevention of ectopic pregnancy possible? A: Preventing ectopic pregnancy is not normally possible. Adequate use of contraceptives significantly reduces the risk of ectopic pregnancy. A person may be able to prevent a tubal pregnancy in the fallopian tube, if things that scar the tube, such as smoking and exposure to sexually transmitted diseases STDs , can be avoided.
In some cases of ectopic pregnancy, a person may have surgery to remove the tube containing the ectopic pregnancy, which will reduce the risk of further ectopic pregnancies or persistent ectopic pregnancy.
This occurs if some ectopic cells are left behind and continue to grow, or if there are subsequent ectopic pregnancies. Accessed 27 April Accessed 26 April The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust. Accessed 15 May The Miscarriage Association. NHS Choices. Medscape eMedicine. Manchester University. This website meets the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. What is an ectopic pregnancy? Symptoms If symptoms of ectopic pregnancy occur, they typically appear early on in the pregnancy, sometimes before a person realizes they are pregnant.
Early signs of ectopic pregnancy The most common early signs and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy include: [2] [3] [4] Lower stomach pain. Ectopic pregnancy pain is often located on one side of the body Vaginal bleeding, which may be dark, watery and heavier, lighter or more prolonged than a normal period Pregnancy symptoms such as a missed menstrual period, breast tenderness, frequent urination or nausea However, it is possible to have an ectopic pregnancy without any of the above symptoms.
Other signs of ectopic pregnancy Less common symptoms include: Bowel and bladder problems, such as diarrhea, and pain when defecating or urinating A feeling of fullness when lying down that is not associated with eating, particularly in people who have already had a child Back pain It is possible to have an ectopic pregnancy without experiencing any symptoms until rupture of the fallopian tube or close organs.
After rupture, signs and symptoms may include: [3] Severe stomach pain Vaginal bleeding Lightheadedness, sometimes followed by fainting Shoulder pain, described as a strange pain that feels different to any pain that a person has otherwise experienced, located at the tip of the shoulder, where it joins the arm, caused by internal bleeding If you are concerned that you may have an ectopic pregnancy, you can use the Ada app for a free symptom assessment.
Causes When a person becomes pregnant, the sperm and the egg, also known as an ovum, join in the fallopian tube, the tube that carries the ovum from the ovary to the uterus. Risk factors The following factors may not be the sole cause of a person experiencing an ectopic pregnancy, but they are linked to a heightened risk of ectopic pregnancy: [3] [5] Previous ectopic pregnancy: If a person has experienced an ectopic pregnancy already, they have an increased risk of having another one.
About 95 percent of ectopic pregnancies occur in the fallopian tube. Other types of ectopic pregnancy There are other types of ectopic pregnancies, all of which are rare. These include: [7] Interstitial pregnancy: This occurs in the part of the fallopian tube embedded in the uterus wall.
Ectopic pregnancies are most commonly diagnosed using a combination of tests, including: Ultrasound Human chorionic gonadotropin hCG test Laparoscopy keyhole surgery if the previous exam results are still ambiguous Good to know: Diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy can be delayed because the symptoms are often similar to other, more well-known conditions, such as gastroenteritis, appendicitis or miscarriage.
Ultrasound Ultrasound is an imaging technique which uses soundwaves to create an image of the developing pregnancy. It is a painless and non-invasive procedure which can be performed in two different ways: [8] Transvaginally: A scanning probe is inserted into the vagina.
Transabdominally: Gel is spread onto the skin of the lower abdomen, and the scanner is passed over the area. Ultrasound indicators for ectopic pregnancy include: [9] No pregnancy in the uterus, or a gestation sac in the uterus missing an embryo: This is a pregnancy of unknown location PUL.
Slow rising hCG levels: If the levels rise more slowly than in a normal pregnancy, it is likely that the pregnancy is ectopic. Internal bleeding: This can lead to shock and serious outcomes.
The risk is higher when treatment is delayed. Damage to fallopian tubes: This can lead to difficulty becoming pregnant in the future. After the removal of one damaged fallopian tube, pregnancy remains possible in the future. If both are removed, in-vitro fertilization remains an option for people hoping to become pregnant.
The following factors can lead to a higher risk of ectopic pregnancy:. It is possible for a person to have an ectopic pregnancy without any of these risk factors.
In fact, up to one-half of all diagnosed ectopic pregnancies occur in people who have no known risk factors. Diagnosing an ectopic pregnancy can be difficult because the early symptoms can resemble those of other health issues.
First, a healthcare professional assesses the symptoms and tests for pregnancy. They then order a transvaginal ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis. This involves using sound waves to produce images of the uterus and surrounding areas. This will continue until the doctor can confirm or rule out the ectopic pregnancy.
The options depend on the progression of the pregnancy and any complications that may have developed. A surgeon may perform a laparoscopy, a type of keyhole surgery, to remove the ectopic pregnancy. It involves making a small incision in or near the navel and inserting a small camera and a thin tool.
If the ectopic pregnancy causes a fallopian tube rupture, a surgeon will perform emergency surgery to repair the damage. When an ectopic pregnancy ruptures, bleeding may be severe and even threaten the life of the woman. The later the structure ruptures, the worse the blood loss, and the higher the risk of death. However, if an ectopic pregnancy is treated before it ruptures, the woman rarely dies.
Risk factors conditions that increase the risk of a disorder for an ectopic pregnancy include. Previous pelvic inflammatory disease Pelvic Inflammatory Disease PID Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the upper female reproductive organs the cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
Pelvic inflammatory disease is usually transmitted during A previous surgical procedure such as an abortion Abortion Induced abortion is the intentional ending of a pregnancy by surgery or drugs. A pregnancy may be ended by surgically removing the contents of the uterus or by taking certain drugs. Disrupting the tubes that carry sperm or the egg ends the ability to reproduce. This form of contraception should An IUD is left in place for 3, 5, or 10 years, depending on the type, or until the Infertility Overview of Infertility Infertility is usually defined as the inability of a couple to achieve a pregnancy after repeated intercourse without contraception for 1 year.
Frequent intercourse without birth control usually Pregnancy is less likely to occur when an IUD is in place fewer than 1. However, if the tube is narrowed or blocked, the egg may move slowly or become stuck. The fertilized egg may never reach the uterus, resulting in an ectopic pregnancy.
An ectopic pregnancy may be located in many different places, including a fallopian tube, an ovary, the cervix, and the abdomen. Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy vary and may not occur until the structure containing the ectopic pregnancy ruptures.
Most women have vaginal bleeding or spotting, cramping or pain in the lower abdomen, or both. Menstrual periods may or may not be late or missed.
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