What is Ectopic Pregnancy ? Symptoms, Cause And Treatment

Welcome to our blog, Today we will know about Ectopic Pregnancy in detail. We tried very well to describe it’s Symptoms, Causes, Difficulties during  Ectopic Pregnancy , Treatment and Medication related to Ectopic Pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy refers to any pregnancy that begins outside of the uterus. About 2% of all pregnancies result in Ectopic Pregnancies. Know who are at Risk of having an Ectopic Pregnancy ? Read the entire blog to gain useful knowledge. Our specialists conducted thorough research before writing this blog. I’m hoping you’ll find this site useful.

What is an ectopic pregnancy ?

Any pregnancy that develops outside of your uterus is called an ectopic pregnancy. When a fertilized egg implants in an area that cannot support its development, this happens. Most ectopic pregnancies occur in the fallopian tube, which joins your ovaries and uterus. Ectopic pregnancies are less common and can happen in your cervix, abdomen, or ovary. Ectopic pregnancies cannot be maintained since only your uterus is designed to support pregnancy.

Ectopic pregnancy can pose a serious health risk, particularly if your fallopian tube ruptures. This is an ectopic pregnancy that has burst; it can result in serious bleeding, infection, and occasionally even death. A medical emergency has occurred. Ectopic pregnancy has to be treated right away by medical professionals.

Where does an ectopic pregnancy occurs ?

When a fertilized egg implants outside of your uterus, it is called an ectopic pregnancy. The egg is intended to pass via your fallopian tubes and lodge itself in the uterine wall, where it can develop. During an ectopic pregnancy, the egg implants in one of the structures along the path. Your fallopian tubes are where this might happen most frequently. About 90% of ectopic pregnancies occur in this area.

Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy

Early signs of an ectopic pregnancy might resemble usual pregnancy symptoms rather closely. However, you can also encounter the following signs and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy :

• Vaginal bleed
• Discomfort in your pelvis, lower back, and lower abdomen
• Weakness or vertigo

The pain and bleeding that result from a fallopian tube rupture may be so bad that they contribute to other symptoms. These may consist of:

• Fainting
• Hypotension: low blood pressure
• Shoulders hurt
• Bowel issues or rectal pressure

You can have a sudden, severe lower abdomen discomfort if a tube rupture. A medical emergency has occurred. You need to visit the emergency department right away or call your doctor.

Causes of ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy is typically brought on by disorders that hinder or inhibit the egg’s descent via your fallopian tube. This might occur because:

• You have scar tissue from a prior pelvic surgery, adhesions, or irritation.
• Your fallopian tubes have been damaged, maybe as a result of a STI.
• Your fallopian tube was misaligned from birth.
• A growth has obstructed your fallopian tube.

Who are at risk of having ectopic pregnancy ?

Your chances of getting an ectopic pregnancy may rise due to a number of risk factors. If you’ve experienced any of the following, you may be more susceptible to an ectopic pregnancy:

• An ectopic pregnancy in the past.
• A history of an infection known as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can cause the growth of scar tissue in your cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes.
• Surgery on your fallopian tubes or pelvic organs, such as tubal ligation.
• A background of infertility.
• Using in vitro fertilization (IVF) to treat infertility.
• Endometriosis.
• STIs, or sexually transmitted infections.
• At the time of conception, an IUD was in place.
• A background of tobacco use

Contact your healthcare practitioner as soon as possible if you get pregnant, have an intrauterine device (IUD) in place, or have had your tubes tied in the past. Ectopic conceptions are more common under these situations.

With age, your risk may also rise. The risk is larger for those over 35 than for those under 35. The risk factors listed above are absent in up to 50% of cases of ectopic pregnancies.

Also read : What is molar pregnancy and it’s symptoms ?

What difficulties might an ectopic pregnancy cause?

A medical emergency is an ectopic pregnancy. Only your uterus has the capacity to house a developing fetus. As the fetus develops, it may stretch and enlarge. The fallopian tubes in your body are not as flexible. As the fertilized egg grows, they may explode. If it does, significant, maybe fatal internal bleeding may result. It’s hazardous. To prevent damage to your fallopian tube and other organs, internal bleeding, and perhaps death, an ectopic pregnancy has to be treated straight away.

How is an ectopic pregnancy diagnosed?

Prior to seeing their pregnancy care provider for a prenatal exam, bloodwork, or ultrasound, the majority of women are unaware that their pregnancy is ectopic. Based on what occurs at this consultation, your doctor could suspect an ectopic pregnancy.

Your doctor will do a number of tests to determine whether the pregnancy is ectopic. A pelvic examination and pregnancy confirmation may be part of this. These tests consist of:

• A urine test is either urinating on a test strip or into a cup, followed by dipping a test strip into the urine sample in the doctor’s office.
• A blood test Your healthcare practitioner may do a blood test to determine your body’s level of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Only during pregnancy does your body produce HCG. Due to the rapid rise in HCG levels that occur when a fertilized egg implants in your uterus, a low quantity may signify an ectopic pregnancy.
• An ultrasound examination An ultrasound utilizes sound waves to provide an image of the inside organs of your body. This test will be used by your doctor to determine where the fertilized egg has implanted.

The procedure known as culdocentesis is also an option if your doctor feels the ectopic pregnancy has ruptured, although it is rarely utilized.

Your healthcare professional will go over a treatment strategy with you after confirming an ectopic pregnancy and identifying the location of the fertilized egg’s implant. Treatment is crucial in the event of an emergency ectopic pregnancy.

How quickly could you detect an ectopic pregnancy ?

Early in a pregnancy is usually when an ectopic pregnancy is found. Ectopic pregnancies are often identified by medical professionals in the first trimester (up to 12 weeks of pregnancy). But about eight weeks into pregnancy, the majority of people become aware that they have an ectopic pregnancy.

Treatment And Medication

Ectopic pregnancy is curable, Either medication or surgery is used by medical professionals to treat ectopic pregnancies. let’s understand these treatments in detail :

1. Surgery
2. Methotrexate

1. Surgery for Ectopic pregnancy

If your fallopian tube has already ruptured or is in danger of doing so, your doctor will want to perform surgery to remove the ectopic pregnancy. This procedure is both a life-saving emergency operation. The surgery is often carried out laparoscopically while you are unconscious and under Anaesthetic (via a number of tiny abdominal incisions). Your fallopian tube may be completely removed by the surgeon while the egg is still within, or the egg may be removed while the fallopian tube is still intact.

2. Ectopic pregnancy and Methotrexate

In rare circumstances, your doctor could advise taking a drug called methotrexate to prevent the fertilized egg from developing and stopping the pregnancy. Your fallopian tubes shouldn’t be harmed by the medicine. If your fallopian tube has already burst, you cannot use this drug.

You receive a single injection of methotrexate from your doctor. Although less intrusive than surgery, this method needs to be followed up with in order for your doctor to check your HCG levels. In these situations, it’s crucial to consistently follow-up. In rare instances, a second dosage of methotrexate may be required if HCG levels don’t drop enough after one injection. To prepare yourself, discuss with your healthcare professional the potential dangers and side effects of methotrexate.

How can you prevent ectopic pregnancy ?

Ectopic pregnancy is unavoidable. By adopting a healthy lifestyle, you may try to lower your risk. These might include quitting smoking, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, and guarding against any STIs. Before attempting pregnancy, discuss any risk factors you may have with your healthcare professional.

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Conclusion

So, In this blog we discussed what is ectopic pregnancy, symptoms, causes and treatment of it. I hope you observed knowledge from this blog. Definitely it will help you in health awareness related to pregnancy.

Dear readers if you like this blog or this blog is going to help you then please share it with your friends/family. Please do check out other page of our website and read more topics related to selfcare before  and during pregnancy. Before taking any decision, Please consult your health advisor too. Thank you

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