Defining the problem In a normal pregnancy, an impregnated egg passes through a uterine tube to the uterus. The egg attaches to the uterus and begins growing. But in an ectopic pregnancy (also known as an extrauterine pregnancy), a fertilized egg implants in another organ but not the uterus, usually in a uterine tube.
An extrauterine pregnancy is often triggered by damage to the fallopian tubes. An impregnated egg can have difficulty in travelling through a damaged tube making the egg implant and grow in the tube. Rarely, the egg attaches to an ovary, the cervix or the abdomen. If the egg keeps growing in the damaged oviduct, it can do damage to or burst the tube and cause heavy internal hemorrhage which can be life-threatening.
If you think you have an ectopic pregnancy, you require rapid medical help to cease it before it causes grave health problems.
What puts women at risk?
1. Smoking. The more you smoke, the higher your risk of an extrauterine pregnancy.
2. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). It is often brought on by infections, such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea.
3. Endometroid heterotopia which can bring on scar tissue in or around the uterine tubes.
4. Being exposed to the chemical DES before birth. 5. Repeated induced termination of pregnancy.
Symptoms:
Pain is commonly the first common symptom of an extrauterine pregnancy. The pain, often one-sided, can occur in the pelvis, belly or even in the shoulder or neck. The pain is usually excruciating. Weakness, dizziness or fainting can indicate grave internal bleeding, requiring prompt specialist medical aid.
Diagnosis:
An extrauterine pregnancy is diagnosed by means of a pelvic exam, an ultrasound. The most accurate laboratory test is the measurement of the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). Medical assistance Treatment of an extrauterine pregnancy is surgery, frequently by laparoscopy nowadays, to remove the extrauterine pregnancy. A perforated tube usually has to be removed. If the tube has not burst yet, it may be fixed.
Future pregnancies:
The prognosis for future pregnancies depends upon the extent of the operation. If the Fallopian tube has been fixed, the chance of a successful pregnancy is commonly higher than 50%. If an oviduct has been removed, an egg can be fertilized in the other tube, and the chance of a successful pregnancy goes down below 50%.
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