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Ectopic Pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that develops outside of the uterus (womb). This kind of pregnancy may occur in the fallopian tube ("tubal pregnancy"), the ovary, or the abdomen. The exact cause of an ectopic pregnancy is not always known, but sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia or gonorrhea can cause scarring in the fallopian tubes. The scarring can then cause a fertilized egg to become stuck in the tube, where it begins to grow in the first stages of a pregnancy.
There are a few reasons why it can be difficult to recognize an ectopic pregnancy
- The uterus gets larger just as it would with a normal pregnancy
- The fertilized egg and placenta are growing and making the pregnancy hormone, HCG which means that a urine pregnancy test will be positive
- You may experience the usual symptoms of pregnancy, such as nausea, tiredness, breast tenderness or swelling, etc.
As an ectopic pregnancy grows, it will stretch the thin wall of the fallopian tube. If the pregnancy is discovered early, medical treatment (with a medication called methotrexate) to stop further development may be possible. If the pregnancy continues to grow, the wall of the tube may rupture or burst and bleed. This can be extremely serious and life-threatening because of the internal bleeding and needs immediate medical attention.
Possible Symptoms of an Ectopic Pregnancy
- Pain - sudden and severe abdominal pain, often on one side at the place of the rupture. The pain then might spread around the abdomen or move to the shoulder and neck or the area under the rib cage (diaphragm).
- Severe weakness or fainting
- Dizziness, hot or cold flashes, rapid heart beat
If one or more if the above symptoms occur, you must see a doctor or go to an emergency room immediately and tell them you may have an ectopic pregnancy.
When you see a doctor, an ultrasound examination may reveal the ectopic pregnancy. It may be necessary to look inside your abdomen with a small instrument called a laparoscope (this procedure is called a laparoscopy). If the ectopic pregnancy has grown past a certain size, or has caused a rupture, you will need surgery to remove the pregnancy and repair the tube. Most women will still be able to get pregnant in the future (with the repaired tube, or with the undamaged tube on the other side).
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