What is Ectopic Pregnancy?

Ectopic Pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy is not a normal pregnancy. Incase of a normal pregnancy, sperms reach the egg in the fallopian tube where fertilization takes place and then, this fertilized egg travels on to the uterus and implants itself on the uterus to complete the gestation period.

But, incase of ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg fails to reach the uterus for the gestation period. Instead the egg implants itself anywhere outside the uterus, like cervix, fallopian tube or the abdominal cavity. Usually, in cases of ectopic pregnancy fertilized egg implants itself in fallopian tube.

An ectopic pregnancy, also known as eccyesis, is a complication of pregnancy. In an ectopic pregnancy, the pregnancy occurs outside the uterine cavity. With certain exceptions, ectopic pregnancies are not viable. Besides, they can prove to be very dangerous for the mother, internal bleeding being the most common complication. Most ectopic pregnancies take place in the Fallopian tube (so-called tubal pregnancies), but the implantation may sometimes also occur in the cervix, ovaries and abdomen. An ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency and needs to be given immediate attention. If not treated properly, it can also lead to death.

Causes of Ectopic Pregnancy

• Ectopic pregnancy generally occurs as a result of the fertilized egg’s inability to travel down the fallopian tube into the uterus. This may be a result of an infection, like a pelvic inflammatory disease or a swelling that has formed an obstruction inside the fallopian tube.

• Tubal surgery - women who have had operations on their fallopian tubes are more at risk of ectopic pregnancy. This includes reversal of sterilization, tubal ligatoin, or tubal surgery for a previous ectopic.

• Previous ectopic - around 10-20% of those attempting pregnancy after a previous ectopic pregnancy are likely to have another one.

• Smoking- Women who smoke have higher rates of ectopic pregnancies. The more you smoke, the higher is the risk. Smoking damages the fallopian tubes' ability to move the fertilized egg towards the uterus.

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) that can result in creation of scar tissue in fallopian tubes.

• Fallopian tube surgery which is often used to repair a scarred or blocked tube.

Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy

• In a lot of cases, a pregnant woman and her doctor may not in the beginning have any reason to suspect an ectopic pregnancy. The early signs of pregnancy, like a missed period as well as other symptoms and signs also occur in ectopic pregnancies.

• Pain is generally the first sign of an ectopic pregnancy. Pain may be in the pelvis, abdomen or sometimes even the shoulder and neck (due to blood from a ruptured ectopic pregnancy that is building up under the diaphragm). This pain is usually described as sharp and stabbing. It may come and go and vary in intensity.

• Sharp pain in abdomen or pelvis

• Irregular vaginal bleeding

• Abdominal pain on one side of abdomen

• Unexplained dizziness and/or fainting

Remedy for Ectopic Pregnancy

In the initial stage of ectopic pregnancy, it can be destroyed by a drug named methotrexate, which has minimum side effects. At an advanced level, it can be treated only with the help of surgery in which the pregnancy is removed.

After-effects of Ectopic Pregnancy

Due to methotrexate doses, there will be a little nausea, vomiting, as well as dizziness.

When the surgery is performed at an advanced stage, there might be a decrease in the woman’s fertility. You must know whether your pregnancy is normal or not. You will know the early signs of pregnancy if you monitor your pregnancy week by week. If you find anything unusual, see a doctor at once.