| Specifying the problem
In a regular pregnancy, an impregnated egg travels through a fallopian tube to the womb. The egg implants in the womb and begins growing. But in an ectopic pregnancy (also known as an extrauterine pregnancy), an impregnated egg implants in another place but not the womb, frequently in a salpinx. An extrauterine pregnancy is often triggered by damage to the uterine tubes. An impregnated egg can have trouble passing through a damaged tube. Therefore, the egg is forced to attach and develop in the tube. Rarely, the egg attaches to an ovary, the cervix or the belly. If the egg keeps growing in the damaged uterine tube, it can do damage to or burst the tube and lead to severe internal haemorrhage that can be fatal. If you think you have an extrauterine pregnancy, you require immediate medical help to stop it before it causes life-threatening problems.
Risk factors
1. Smoking. The more cigarettes a day you smoke, the higher your risk of an extrauterine pregnancy.
2. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This is often the solution of infections such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.
3. Endometroid heterotopia, which can bring on healing tissue in or around the uterine tubes.
4. Repeated induced abortions.
5. Exposure to the chemical DES before you were born.
Common symptoms
Pain is usually the first symptom of an extrauterine pregnancy. The pain, often one-sided, may occur in the pelvis, abdomen or even in the shoulder or neck. The pain is usually stabbing. Weakness, giddiness or fainting can indicate grave internal haemorrhage which requires immediate specialist medical aid.
Diagnosis
An ectopic pregnancy is diagnosed by means of a pelvic examination, an ultrasound. The most accurate lab test is the measurement of the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin).
Medical aid
Treatment of an extrauterine pregnancy is surgery, frequently by laparoscopy today, to remove the extrauterine pregnancy. A ruptured Uterine tube commonly has to be excised. If the tube has not burst yet, it can be fixed.
Future pregnancies
The prospect for future pregnancies depends on the extent of the operation. If the Fallopian tube has been spared, the possibility of a successful pregnancy is usually higher than 50%. If a uterine tube has been excised, an egg can be fertilized in the other tube, and the probability of a successful pregnancy goes down below 50%. |
