Everything You Need To Know About Ectopic Pregnancy
The miracle of pregnancy is unlike any other human experience. Mothers grow a new human inside their bodies in order to bring new life into the world. While having a child is one of the greatest joys a person can experience, it is also a complex process that involves many moving parts. Sometimes things don’t go as planned and there can be complications with a pregnancy. One such complication is an ectopic pregnancy.
We at Life Forward are here to help during your pregnancy so you are fully informed about your reproductive health and can get the care you need. We have experienced Client Educators who are trained, willing to listen, and provide a safe and neutral environment to help you with whatever you need.
We want you to feel heard and understood as you share intimate thoughts and feelings. We also have a team of medical professionals focusing on women’s health and well-being that you can talk to and ask questions regarding your body and your reproductive health. Please reach out to Life Forward to get started today! In order to help you stay informed and prepared during your pregnancy, we’ll share everything you need to know about ectopic pregnancy, including common questions and other important information.
What Is An Ectopic Pregnancy?
An ectopic pregnancy simply means that an embryo has implanted in an abnormal location. When an embryo implants somewhere other than in the uterine lining, the mother’s body cannot support the growth of the baby. One of the most common places for this to happen is in the fallopian tubes, but it can also occur in the cervix, abdominal wall, or ovary. In some rare cases, it can occur in the scar tissue where a cesarean section was performed during a previous birth.
Approximately 2% of all pregnancies are ectopic, with a significant number of these occurring in the fallopian tubes (known as a tubal ectopic pregnancy). An ectopic pregnancy cannot continue as normal since the embryo’s life cannot be sustained by the mother outside the uterus. This can also be incredibly dangerous for the mother.
In fact, ectopic pregnancies are the leading cause of maternal mortality within the first trimester, which is why it’s so important to be informed about them and know where to turn when you need help. One great option is to reach out to us at Life Forward! Now that we know what ectopic pregnancy is, let’s look at the symptoms and signs that can come as a result.
Ectopic Pregnancy Symptoms and Signs
The earliest and most common signs of an ectopic pregnancy are light vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain. These can often be mistaken for normal pregnancy symptoms, but are generally the first indicators that something may be wrong. Other symptoms of ectopic pregnancy include:
Pain in one side or area of your body
Nausea and vomiting with pain
Sharp abdominal cramps
Weakness or dizziness
Pain in the neck, shoulder, or rectum
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should discuss them with your healthcare provider as soon as possible or visit the emergency room. You can also reach out to us at Life Forward to schedule an appointment or to learn more!
However, if you should experience any of the following symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention as it may mean that a fallopian tube has ruptured, which can be life-threatening:
Pain in your rectum or an intense urge to have a bowel movement, without passing any stool, could indicate that you are bleeding internally
Pain in your shoulder, which could be a result of blood pooling near your diaphragm and irritating the nerves that run to your shoulder after one of your fallopian tubes bursts
Call 911 immediately if your pain is sharp, severe, and sudden, as well as if you are dizzy, lightheaded, or have fainted. These could be signs of a life threatening emergency, like hemorrhagic shock
It’s vital to know the signs and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy so you can seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of them. Now, let’s take a look at how to confirm an ectopic pregnancy.
How Can You Confirm an Ectopic Pregnancy?
While signs and symptoms may indicate that you have an ectopic pregnancy, you’ll still need to visit your healthcare provider to confirm it. First, they will most likely complete a pelvic exam, which can help identify areas of pain or tenderness, as well as determining if there is a mass in the fallopian tube or ovary. However, a pelvic exam still cannot confirm an ectopic pregnancy.
In order to do that, your healthcare provider will order a human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) blood test to first confirm that you are pregnant. Then, they will conduct an ultrasound—transvaginal, abdominal, or both—to determine the exact location of your pregnancy. If it is outside your uterus, then they can confirm that you have an ectopic pregnancy.
Your healthcare provider may conduct additional blood tests to check for blood loss or anemia, as well as confirming your blood type in case there is a need for a blood transfusion. But what causes ectopic pregnancy?
What Causes Ectopic Pregnancy?
Ectopic pregnancies are caused by conditions in your body that slow down or block the egg’s movement through your fallopian tubes into the uterus. As mentioned earlier, the most common type of ectopic pregnancy is a tubal ectopic pregnancy. This can occur due to damage in the fallopian tube caused by inflammation or it being misshapen. Additionally, abnormal development of the egg and hormonal imbalances can play a role in ectopic pregnancies. While you can’t completely prevent an ectopic pregnancy, there are things that can increase your chances of developing an ectopic pregnancy.
Risk Factors for Ectopic Pregnancy
There’s no way to prevent an ectopic pregnancy, but there are steps you can take to limit your risk. Here are some of the risk factors for ectopic pregnancy:
A previous ectopic pregnancy
History of infertility
Treatment for infertility with IVF (in vitro fertilization)
History of PID (pelvic inflammatory disease)
Endometriosis
STIs (sexually transmitted infections)
Surgery on your fallopian tubes or other organs in the pelvic region
Having an IUD (intrauterine device) in at the time of conception
History of smoking
Understanding these risk factors can help you take the necessary steps to limit your risk. If you’d like help doing this or want to talk to someone, please reach out to us at Life Forward! Now, let’s look at your options if you’ve confirmed that you have an ectopic pregnancy.
Are There Any Ectopic Pregnancy Treatments?
Since ectopic pregnancies cannot be sustained by the mother’s body and therefore cannot survive, the main concern is to make sure that the mother is safe and healthy by avoiding life-threatening complications. There are three main ectopic pregnancy treatments that are used to do this, including:
Medication - A medication treatment involves administering methotrexate for ectopic pregnancy. This is given by injection and stops cell growth and dissolves existing cells. This treatment is most commonly used in early identified ectopic pregnancies that don’t involve any unstable bleeding.
Laparoscopic Surgery - There are two types of laparoscopic surgeries that are used to treat ectopic pregnancies—salpingostomy and salpingectomy. Both procedures involve a small incision in the abdomen. Then, a thin tube with a camera lens is inserted in order to view the tubal area.
In a salpingostomy, the doctor removes the ectopic pregnancy and leaves the tube to heal on its own. In a salpingectomy, the doctor removes the ectopic pregnancy and the tube. The specific procedure you have will depend on the amount of bleeding and damage, as well as whether the fallopian tube has ruptured.
Emergency Abdominal Surgery - In cases where the ectopic pregnancy is causing heavy bleeding, emergency surgery may be necessary. This generally means that the fallopian tube is ruptured, and it is most commonly completely removed. You may have a larger abdominal incision in this scenario.
Life Forward also has trained professionals who can provide support and help you navigate through any situation. Additionally, we can refer you to other community resources that can further help with your specific needs. Reach out to us today to learn more!
How Life Forward Can Help
At Life Forward, we are here to help women in the Cincinnati area who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant. In addition to consultations, pregnancy testing, and ultrasounds, we offer other educational and supportive services—as well as referrals to other community resources—at no cost to you.
Our staff of trained Client Educators and medical professionals will assist you and connect you to the resources and help you need. These resources can help you be more prepared during your pregnancy and make the best decision for yourself. Learn more about the services we offer or contact us at 513.961.7777 to schedule an appointment today!