Ectopic Pregnancy

Ectopic Pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy (EP) also known as tubal pregnancy occurs in one of fifty pregnancies. EP is a condition in which a fertilized egg settles and grows in any location other than the inner lining of the uterus. The vast majority (98%) of this type of pregnancy typically occurs in one of the tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus (fallopian tubes) although it may also occur in the ovary, cervix, and abdominal cavity. An ectopic pregnancy cannot proceed normally and the fertilized egg cannot survive. If left untreated it may cause life-threatening blood loss and the growing tissue might destroy other maternal structures. It is the leading cause of pregnancy-related death during the first trimester in the United States, accounting for 9% of all pregnancy-related deaths. Early treatment can help preserve the chance of healthy subsequent pregnancies.

Symptoms

At first, an ectopic pregnancy might not cause any signs or symptoms. In some cases, early signs and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy might be the same as those of any pregnancy such as a missed period, breast tenderness and nausea. However classic signs of ectopic pregnancy typically occur six to eight weeks after the last normal menstrual period, but they may occur later if the ectopic pregnancy is not located in the Fallopian tube. These signs include pelvic and abdominal pain and abnormal vaginal bleeding. If you think you are pregnant and you experience these classic symptoms contact a doctor right away.

If the area around the abnormal pregnancy ruptures and bleeds, symptoms may get worse. These may include fainting, intense pressure in the rectum, low blood pressure, shoulder pain and severe, sharp, and sudden pain in the lower abdomen.

Treatments

In most cases, an ectopic pregnancy is treated right away to avoid rupture and severe blood loss which may be life threatening. The decision about which treatment to use depends on how early the pregnancy is detected and your overall condition. If the ectopic pregnancy is detected early, an injection of the drug methotrexate is used to stop cell growth and dissolve existing cells.

In some cases, ectopic pregnancy is treated with laparoscopic surgery where a small incision is made in the abdomen, near or in the navel and a thin tube equipped with a camera lens and light (laparoscope) to view the area. Other instruments can be inserted into the tube or through other small incisions to remove the ectopic tissue. The fallopian tube is either repaired or removed depending on extent of damage. This is usually done when there is rapture.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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