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Health > Conditions > E > Ectopic pregnancy                           
Read more... Ectopic pregnancyIn a normal pregnancy the egg implants in the uterus and grows there. In an ectopic pregnancy the egg tries to grow somewhere else – usually in the fallopian tubes which connect the ovaries to the uterus. The egg can also implant in the ovary, abdomen, or the cervix. None of these areas are suitable for the baby to grow in. If nothing is done to stop the pregnancy it can cause serious damage to these organs, and even endanger the mother's life. What causes an ectopic pregnancy and who is at risk?An ectopic pregnancy happens when the fertilised egg fails to work its way quickly enough down the fallopian tube into the uterus. In a lot of cases there is no obvious reason why this has happened. But in others the slow progress of the egg is the result of an infection or inflammation of the tube. One cause of this can be pelvic inflammatory disease, which causes scarring to the tissues or organs. Other causes could be:
The risk of ectopic pregnancy is greater in women over the age of 35. Women who use the coil as a method of contraception and those who have multiple sexual partners are also more at risk, as are women who smoke. What are the signs and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy?Ectopic pregnancy can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms are often similar to those of a normal early pregnancy. They can include:
But warning signs that something might be wrong would include any pain or vaginal bleeding. The pain is usually sharp or stabbing and might be felt in your pelvis, abdomen or, in extreme cases, even your shoulder or neck. How is an ectopic pregnancy usually diagnosed and treated?Usually, the first step in diagnosing an ectopic pregnancy is to carry out a pregnancy test. Your doctor can do this from a urine sample. You may then have a quantitative hCG test. This is a blood test which measures levels of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which you produce when you are pregnant. If hCG levels are lower than expected for your stage of pregnancy, one possible explanation might be an ectopic pregnancy. After this you will probably get an ultrasound examination, where pictures of your uterus and tubes are taken. If your doctor is still concerned, you will also need a pelvic exam to see where it hurts. It can be very difficult for doctors to diagnose ectopic pregnancies, especially early in pregnancy, so the doctor may have to monitor you for a couple of days. The only way to treat an ectopic pregnancy is to end the pregnancy. This can be done with an injection. But if the pregnancy is further along, you'll likely need surgery. When to ask for medical helpIf you are pregnant and experience any pain or bleeding you should contact your doctor or hospital immediately for help. How dangerous is an ectopic pregnancy?An ectopic pregnancy can be very dangerous. If left untreated, the foetus will grow and ultimately this will cause the tube or organ it is growing in to burst. In some cases this can have fatal consequences for the mother. What's going to help?You can help protect yourself against a future ectopic pregnancy by not smoking and by always using condoms when you're having sex and not trying to get pregnant. Condoms can protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that can cause pelvic inflammatory disease. Looking forwardHaving one ectopic pregnancy does not necessarily mean you will have another. Many women who have an ectopic pregnancy go on to have perfectly normal healthy pregnancies afterwards. There is a lot of help and advice out there for women who have experienced an ectopic pregnancy. It can be very upsetting and traumatic to lose a pregnancy. It is always a good idea to have support in these situations to help you get through it.
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