Ectopic pregnancy occurs when an egg plants itself outside of the uterus. Ectopic by definition means “out of place”. In these type of pregnancies the planted egg is unable to develop because it has not been planted in the womb where the conditions are right for it to grow. The fetus or baby is not able to survive in this type of pregnancy.
There are many factors that can cause an ectopic implantation. Often the egg is blocked and unable to pass on to the uterus. It can also be slowed down which causes it to implant in the wrong place because it couldn’t make it to the uterus in time.
Blockage of the fallopian tubes is often part of the problem that prevents the egg from making it to the uterus. If one has scarring in the tubes or from other abdominal surgeries it may increase the odd of experiencing a tubal implantation. Infections that cause swelling of the fallopian tubes or abdominal have also proven to be troublesome and have been found in up to fifty percent of women with these pregnancies. Studies have linked smoking to ectopic pregnancies also.
Still, there are other factors that may cause problems in these types of pregnancies. If there are birth defects that have effected the development of the fallopian tubes there may be an increased risk. Trouble from pelvic surgeries or ruptured appendix that have left scarring can cause interference with a future pregnancy. Women with endometriosis also have a higher rate of tubal pregnancies.
Factors that increase ones odd of having tubal pregnancies include being over the age of 35, having many sexual partners and trying to conceive through in vitro fertilization. Sometimes it is difficult for doctors to determine what may have caused the implantation.
Ectopic pregnancies exhibit symptoms that are similar to normal pregnancies. Symptoms of an ectopic implantation will be the same as early stages of healthy pregnancies. A woman will often miss her period, have fatigue and nausea and may experience an increased need to urinate.
As these pregnancies progress over time other symptoms will become more evident. Abdominal pain that is specific to one area or spread through the abdomen is one. This pain will often increase with movement. Vaginal bleeding is also a big warning sign that there may be trouble. If one is bleeding consult medical attention right away.
It is common for ectopic pregnancies to happen in the fallopian tubes. This is why they are commonly referred to as tubal pregnancies. In cases where the egg implants outside of the uterus, 95{a1838ce4fa7d354967ff094531ffda59a669e991a533275523fe15ef39118963} of the time it implants in the fallopian tube. It also can implant in the abdominal cavity, the ovary, or in the cervix.
Tubal pregnancies are often treated in two different ways. The first option is to treat the implantation using a chemical called methotrexate. The chemical is injected and works to dissolve the mass without causing any other damage to the body of the mother. When this procedure is done it is often followed up by testing for hCG to see if the pregnancy has been terminated. The other option for treatment is surgery. The surgery will remove the ectopic pregnancy but often leaves damage to the tube and make it hard to have a normal pregnancy in the future.
Increase use of fertility treatments, such as IVF, have cause the cases of ectopic pregnancies. Many advancements in medical knowledge and technology have made it possible for these situations to be treated safely. Immediate treatment of these situations can make sure that one is healthy and safe.
