10 signs of ectopic pregnancy you shouldn't miss

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

If you do not seek help in time, pregnancy can end in death.

What is an ectopic pregnancy and how dangerous it is

A typical pregnancy goes like this. The sperm cell enters the egg, which is released during ovulation into the fallopian tube. The latter begins to contract, pushing the fertilized egg into the uterus. There, the egg is attached to the uterine wall and begins to transform into an actively growing embryo.

With an ectopic Ectopic Pregnancy Symptoms and When to Call 911 pregnancy, as the name implies, the egg does not enter the uterus. Most often, it lingers in the fallopian tube - too twisted, narrow or weak to push the ovum where necessary. But there are times when the egg is implanted into the cervix, ovary, or other place in the abdominal cavity.

An ectopic pregnancy does not end well with anything. The growing embryo sooner or later breaks the walls of the organ to which it has attached. The result is massive internal bleeding, an infection in the abdominal cavity and peritonitis (however, you may not even live to see it).

According to the American Pregnancy Association's Ectopic Pregnancy: Symptoms, Causes, Risks And Treatment, every fiftieth pregnancy is ectopic.

What are the signs of an ectopic pregnancy you should go to the doctor

At first, an ectopic pregnancy feels almost the same as a normal pregnancy. A delay in menstruation, discomfort in the lower abdomen, soreness in the chest, two strips on a home test - it seems that everything is normal.

Disorders can manifest themselves at any time between the fifth and fourteenth weeks of pregnancy. But most often it happens after about two weeks of Ectopic Pregnancy after a delay. It is during this period that warning signs appear:

1. Stitching pains and cramps in the lower abdomen.
2. Accompanying soreness, nausea and vomiting.
3. Constant dizziness, weakness.
4. Pain in the rectum or radiating to the shoulder and neck.
5. Discharge similar to menstrual flow.

For any of these symptoms, it is important to consult a gynecologist as soon as possible.

When to call an ambulance

Do not wait and seek emergency medical attention if:

1. You are experiencing severe pain that lasts more than a few minutes.
2. You are bleeding.
3. Acute rectal pain is accompanied by a feeling of unbearable urge to use the toilet.
4. The shoulder hurts for a long time (more than a few minutes). Sometimes the blood that rushes into the abdominal cavity after a ruptured fallopian tube accumulates at the diaphragm and irritates the nerves associated with the shoulder.
5. You are extremely dizzy - to the point where you seem to be about to pass out.

Why, if you suspect pregnancy, you need to go to the doctor

It is impossible to determine an ectopic pregnancy at home. At least until it makes itself felt with obvious dangerous symptoms.

Conclusion: when you see two strips on the test, do not delay a visit to the gynecologist. The physician will find out at the initial stage whether everything is in order. To do this, he:

1. Conduct an examination of the pelvic organs. This is to find out if there is unusual tenderness or painful growths in the abdominal cavity.
2. He will do an ultrasound scan to determine the place where the ovum is attached. In the early stages (up to 5-6 weeks), examinations are done with an intravaginal sensor - it gives a more accurate result. However, there are times when the place of implantation cannot be determined. Then the doctor will prescribe you an additional ultrasound scan for a period of 8-9 weeks.
3. He will suggest that you take blood or urine tests to determine the level of the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). At the beginning of an ectopic pregnancy, the amount of this hormone is much less than during a normal pregnancy, and tests will show this.

The second strip on the test for an ectopic pregnancy often looks very pale. This is due to low hCG levels.

How to treat an ectopic pregnancy

There are no options - the pregnancy will have to be terminated. But in what way depends on the timing.

Drug treatment

It is used if the abnormal attachment of the egg could be detected at an early stage. The specialist will inject methotrexate (Trexall), which stops the growth of the placenta and forces the body to get rid of the pregnancy on its own.

Please note that multiple treatments may be required, so it is important to stay in touch with your doctor and follow their recommendations.

Laparoscopy

This is a small operation during which the surgeon will remove the ovum. Most likely, the fallopian tube will not be injured.

Surgery

This is an emergency option. If the fallopian tube has been ruptured, the surgeon will remove part or all of it to save the woman's life.

Is it possible to get pregnant after an ectopic pregnancy

It depends on what exactly caused the violation. Common causes of ectopic pregnancy include:

• Infections in the fallopian tube. Because of the inflammation, the tube cannot move the ovum into the uterus.
• Endometriosis
• Scars and adhesions. As a rule, these are the consequences of previous operations (the same abortions) or infections. They also interfere with the movement of the fertilized egg.
• Personal characteristics. In some women, the fallopian tube is too narrow or twisted.

What is the reason in your case and what to do with it, it is best to discuss with your gynecologist. The specialist will read your medical record, conduct additional research and draw up a rehabilitation plan that will help you one day conceive and bear a healthy baby.