Ectopic Pregnancy

General Information on Ectopic Pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilized egg plants somewhere other than the uterus. In a normal pregnancy, the fertilized egg plants in the lining of the uterus. In an ectopic pregnancy the fertilized egg plants either in the fallopian tubes, abdomen, ovary, or cervix. Most commonly in an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg plants in one of the fallopian tubes. This is known as a tubal pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy cannot proceed as a normal pregnancy. A fertilized egg in an ectopic pregnancy cannot survive and can destroy maternal structures causing future pregnancies to not survive. There several different causes of ectopic pregnancies. Some of the other risks of an ectopic pregnancy include disorders of the fallopian tubes, pelvic inflammatory disease, exposure to diethylstilbestrol as a fetus, and tubal ligation which is a sterilization procedure. The main cause of an ectopic pregnancy is the egg becoming stuck on its way to the uterus. Other causes include the fallopian tube being scarred, previous ectopic pregnancy, the fallopian tube is damaged, or the fallopian tube is misshapen. In other instances the cause of the ectopic pregnancy remains unknown. The symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are not noticeable at first. In the beginning, the symptoms will seem like a normal pregnancy. Then the symptoms will become for severe. Should one of the fallopian tubes rupture, the symptoms will be far worse and include sharp pain in the pelvic, abdomen, shoulders, and/or neck, dizziness, and lightheadedness.

Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy

Some of the symptoms of ectopic pregnancy may be:

Missed periods
Tenderness of the breasts
Nausea
Fatigue
Vaginal bleeding – ranging from spotting to light
Lower abdominal pain
Cramping
Sharp pain in the abdomen
Dizziness
Lightheadedness
Shoulder pain
Neck pain

Treatments For Ectopic Pregnancy

The treatment for ectopic pregnancy is to remove it. Should the ectopic pregnancy be detected early, a medication can be injected into the egg and dissolve the existing cells. Should this procedure be too late to use or not work, then a procedure known as a laparoscopic surgery will take place where the egg is removed form the fallopian tube and the tube is then repaired. Should there be too much damage to the fallopian tube and cannot be repaired, then it will be removed. Should the fallopian tube have ruptured, then a procedure known as a laparotomy will need to take place.

Personal Experience

Ectopic Pregnancy - personal experiences