Check For Ectopic Pregnancy At An Early Stage

Ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg (ovum) does not reach the womb (uterus) through the fallopian tube but gets implanted elsewhere and the pregnancy starts developing at the wrong place. In about 95% of the cases, the ectopic pregnancy develops in the fallopian tube itself but sometimes the ovum can start developing in the abdominal cavity or pelvic area by attaching itself on one of the ovaries or on the neck of the womb. It is obvious that such a pregnancy has no chance of survival and will result in a miscarriage or some other serious problem that would need immediate medical treatment.

Causes Of An Ectopic Pregnancy

If the fallopian tube(s) of the expectant mother are damaged either by infection due to a disease or due to a previous surgery, the likelihood of the pregnancy becoming ectopic are high. The other contributing factors could be scar tissue, previous ectopic pregnancies or endometriosis. One could also develop ectopic pregnancy if one has been using a contraceptive coil or a progestogen only contraceptive pill while getting pregnant. In-vitro fertilization can also cause ectopic pregnancy in spite of the fact that the egg is implanted directly in the womb, as it can get attached somewhere else. It has been noticed in many cases that ectopic pregnancy occurs even though none of the above reasons play havoc.

In most cases, the fertilized egg gets trapped inside the fallopian tube and when the baby starts growing, the tube can burst or get damaged which can be very dangerous to the life of the expectant mother.

Warning Signs Of An Ectopic Pregnancy

1. A sudden onset of pain on one side of the abdomen is the first sign of ectopic pregnancy.
2. Alternatively, a pain in the shoulder which increases while inhaling and exhaling could also signal an ectopic pregnancy.
3. Experiencing pain while using the bathroom if you are pregnant could also point toward the pregnancy as ectopic.
4. Unusual period or vaginal bleeding with an abnormal discharge and a strange color could also indicate ectopic pregnancy.
5. The other warning signs are: diarrhea, sickness, pale complexion, sudden collapse, light-headedness, lowered of blood pressure and increase in pulse rate.

How Is Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosed?

Since the symptoms of ectopic pregnancy are similar to those of early, normal pregnancy it is difficult to diagnose that a pregnancy is ectopic. However, if the expectant mother experiences the normal symptoms of early pregnancy such as nausea, tender breasts, missed periods, frequent urination or vomiting along with the above mentioned warning signs, the chances of the pregnancy being ectopic are very high. It's advisable for an expectant mother to keep reading relevant books and articles in order to get more information.

At this stage, a urine pregnancy test and a specialized hCG blood test need to be done. Moreover, an internal pelvic examination by the doctor will reveal that the womb is smaller than what it should be at that stage of pregnancy which will indicate that the fertilized ovum is not growing inside the womb and hence ectopic pregnancy is quite likely. You would then have to go in for an ultrasound scan which would give the correct diagnosis.

The treatment for ectopic pregnancy is surgical intervention in most cases although medication can help in some cases. Nowadays, keyhole surgery has made surgical involvement easier and safer. If there is any suspicion of ectopic pregnancy, the medical practitioner should be contacted immediately.