Ectopic Pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. This can be very dangerous because a tubal pregnancy can rupture the fallopian tube, causing uncontrolled bleeding. This uncontrolled bleeding is a serious medical emergency that if left untreated can lead to shock, and even death.
Causes of Ectopic Pregnancy
The majority of ectopic pregnancies are caused by a blockage in one or both of the fallopian tubes. This blockage is usually scar tissue left over from surgery, infection, or a past ectopic pregnancy. It is not uncommon for the fallopian tubes to become blocked after Infection with PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) which can be a result of STDs such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. Women who have had surgery to have their "tubes tied" (tubal sterilization) are at higher risk for ectopic pregnancy, as are women who have had surgery to reverse tubal sterilization.
Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy
Symptoms tend to occur 6 to 8 weeks after the woman's last menstrual period, and may include:
Severe, sharp, and sudden abdominal pain (in the lower abdominal area) Cramping on one side of the pelvis Nausea Lower back pain Breast tenderness Spotting Feeling dizzy or faint, or actually fainting Pain in the shoulder area (this alone may not be a sign of ectopic pregnancy, but should be monitored) Shock (if the fallopian tube actually ruptures)
Tests for Determining Ectopic Pregnancy
To test for ectopic pregnancy, a doctor (usually your gynecologist) will first administer a pelvic exam to test for any pain in the pelvic region. The doctor may then administer other tests to measure white blood cell count and how much progesterone is in the blood. There may be a blood or urine test for pregnancy and an ultrasound to check if the uterus is in fact empty.
Treatment of Ectopic Pregnancy
In the case of an ectopic pregnancy, the embryo cannot be left to grow to much longer—therefore the developing cells must be removed. The most common treatments involve making a small incision in the lower abdomen (just below the belly-button) to remove the developing cells from where they have implanted, usually in the fallopian tube.
If the embryo or fetus has already developed to a stage where it has ruptured the fallopian tube, the woman must be under immediate and emergency medical care; and surgery must be done to stop the blood loss.
If the doctor determines that the ectopic pregnancy will not rupture, the woman can be given a drug called methotrexate (which terminates the pregnancy) and monitored.
Prevention of Ectopic Pregnancy
Most ectopic pregnancies occur due to conditions that cannot be prevented. However, ectopic pregnancies can be prevented in some cases by avoiding such risk factors as: having multiple sexual partners, having sex without a condom, and not getting regularly tested for STDs.
Alternative names for "ectopic pregnancy"
Tubal pregnancy, cervical pregnancy, abdominal pregnancy
References
2.Crooks, Robert and Baur, Karla. (2005) Our Sexuality. Thomson Learning, Inc.
Added 10/20/2007