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Pregnancy in any woman starts with a fertilized ovum. Generally, the fertilized ovum gets attached itself to the lining of the womb but with an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized ovum implants somewhere else, other than the uterus.
An ectopic pregnancy almost always occurs in one of the tubes that carry ovum from the ovaries to the uterus (medically known as fallopian tubes). This type of ectopic pregnancy is called as a tubal pregnancy. Rarely, an ectopic pregnancy will occur in the abdomen, ovary or neck of the uterus (medically called as the cervix).
An ectopic pregnancy can not proceed normally and the fertilized ovum can not survive, and the growing tissues might destroy various maternal bodily structures. Left untreated, life-threatening blood loss might be the possible thing to happen. Early treatment of an ectopic pregnancy might help preserving the chance for healthy pregnancies in the future.
There are many factors, which increase a women's likelihood to have an ectopic pregnancy, but it is essential to mark that ectopic pregnancies can occur in women without any of those risk factors.
The potential risk factor for an ectopic pregnancy is a prior history of having any sort of ectopic pregnancies. The recurrence rate is 15 percent after the first ectopic pregnancy, and 30 per after the second one. Any disruption of the normal structure of the Fallopian tubes can bring some of the risks factors for ectopic pregnancy. Previous surgeries on the Fallopian tubes such as tubal sterilization or reconstructive procedures might also lead to scars and disruption of the normal anatomy of the fallopian tubes and increases the risks of getting ectopic pregnancies in future. Similarly, infection, congenital abnormality or tumor of the Fallopian tubes can also put a woman at risks of having ectopic pregnancies in the future.
Diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy
The health care provider or a gynecologist doctor may want to confirm pregnancy if this has not already been performed
- If the woman has severe pain or heavy vaginal bleeding, IV lines are to be started. Oxygen is certainly given, and blood tests are to be prescribed.
- The doctor performs a pelvic examination.
- An ultrasound of the pelvis will probably be done for determining where the pregnancy is located. An ultrasound is a form of imaging that uses the sound waves. It is not painful and putting a handheld device or probe that is connected to a television monitor against the lower abdomen performs it. However, a more sensitive ultrasound test is can also be performed when a doctor uses some special probe into the vagina (birth canal).
The treatment option for ectopic pregnancy
Treatment options for ectopic pregnancy involve observation, laparoscopy, laparotomy, and medicines. Selection of such options is individualized, as some ectopic pregnancies get resolved on their own without the requirement for any intervention, while others may certainly need urgent surgery due to life-threatening bleedings. Nevertheless, because of the risk of rupture and potential dire aftermaths, most of the pregnant women with a diagnosed ectopic pregnancy will be treated with medicines or surgery.
Medical therapies can also be successful in curing certain groups of women who have an ectopic pregnancy. This treatment section involves the use of an anti-cancer drug known as methotrexate. This drug will act by killing the growing cells of the placenta, therefore inducing miscarriage of the ectopic pregnancy. Some of the women may not respond to methotrexate and hence will need surgical approach. Methotrexate is getting popularity as it has high success rates and lower rates of side effects. There are certain factors that include the size of the mass associated with the ectopic pregnancies and the blood beta hCG concentrations those help the surgeons decide which women are suitable for medical care and not the surgical treatment.
Ectopic Pregnancy – a quick view
- An ectopic pregnancy is a conception that is formed outside of the inner lining of the uterus, which is abnormal
- Risks factor for ectopic pregnancy involves previous ectopic pregnancies and conditions (such as previous surgeries, infections) that disrupt the normal anatomy of the uterus and the fallopian tubes.
- The most hazardous health risk of an ectopic pregnancy is the internal bleeding.
- Diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy is generally established by blood hormone test and pelvic ultrasounds.
- Treatment options for ectopic pregnancy are both surgical and medicinal.
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