How Ectopic Pregnancy Is Different From Normal Pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy is one of the most difficult complications of pregnancy. It is an abnormal pregnancy as the fertilised egg implants outside instead of inside the uterus, thus causing a threat to the mother’s life. Ectopic pregnancies cannot be continued as they would never transform into a successful pregnancy. Once your baby scan clinic’s report verifies an ectopic pregnancy, the only option left is to go for abortion.

An ectopic pregnancy is of three types based on its implantation site.

• Tubal pregnancy, in which the embryo gets implanted in the fallopian tubes.
• Ovarian pregnancy, in which the embryo gets implanted in the ovaries.
• Cervical pregnancy, where the embryo grows in the endocervical canal.

Signs and Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy can be difficult to recognize since most of the signs and symptoms of an ectopic or extrauterine pregnancy are similar to a normal pregnancy. But in due course of time, the symptoms start to bother and become severe.

• Pain in the pelvic region
• Sore or tender breasts
• Light to heavy spotting or bleeding in the vagina
• Nausea and vomiting
• Mild to severe pain in the abdomen
• Pain on one side of the body
• Pressure in the rectum
• Lightheadedness
• Pain in the shoulder or neck.

Immediately visit your gynaecologist if the above symptoms persist, become severe or intolerable.

Causes of Ectopic Pregnancy

Extrauterine pregnancy can happen due to plenty of causes, let’s discuss them.

• Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases (PID)
• Inflammation or infection in the fallopian tubes
• Structural abnormalities in the fallopian tube
• Hormonal imbalance or imbalance in the hormones
• Use of Infertility treatment (IVF)
• Fertility drugs
• Sexually-transmitted infections or diseases, like syphilis, HIV/AIDS, gonorrhoea, herpes, chlamydia and so on
• Pregnancies with an IUD
• Endometriosis or history of endometriosis in the past
• Tubal ligation surgery or tubal ligation reversal
• Smoking
• Pelvic surgery
• Abdominal surgery
• Multiple abortions in the past.

Diagnosis for Ectopic Pregnancy

Diagnostic tests involved with ectopic pregnancy are as follows:

1. Blood test

2. Pelvic exam

3. Transvaginal ultrasound (can be performed in any ultrasound baby scan clinic).

Treatment for Ectopic Pregnancy

There is no reason to further continue this failed pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy has to be terminated or aborted or else it can rupture the fallopian tubes (in the case of a tubal pregnancy) and cause internal bleeding which can even endanger the mother’s life. The treatment involves the following:

Medication, when the extrauterine pregnancy is at its beginning stages, the OB-GYN doctor will prescribe certain medication, like methotrexate to be given as an injection for destroying the grown cells and stopping further cell growth.

Laparoscopic surgical procedures, when medicines do not work the embryo is removed through minimally-invasive procedures.

Laparotomy, an open surgical technique recommended when the ectopic pregnancy cannot be removed by the above two methods.

Always keep a track on the progress of your pregnancy. To do the same, get regular diagnoses from your OB-GYN doctor and ultrasound baby scan clinic.