Ectopic Pregnancy Symptoms

What is an ectopic pregnancy?

An ectopic pregnancy occurs outside the uterus. Ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilized egg implants in a structure that fails to support its growth. It often occurs in the fallopian tube (a pair of structures that associate the uterus and the ovaries). In rare situations, this type of pregnancy might take place on an ovary or in the abdominal cavity.

This is a dangerous condition. An ectopic pregnancy is not a pregnancy that might move to term (till birth) and might be risky for the mother if left untreated.

Where does an ectopic pregnancy occur?

Ectopic pregnancy occurs whenever the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. The egg is destined to move down the fallopian tubes and implant itself into the uterine wall. There, it might start developing. 

In an ectopic pregnancy, the egg embeds in one of the structures along the way. The most common position this may occur is within the tubes. Most commonly, ectopic pregnancies occur in fallopian tubes known as a tubal ectopic pregnancy. In addition, a fertilized egg may implant on other organs in the abdominal cavity. It is a rare type of ectopic pregnancy than one that occurs in a fallopian tube.

Ectopic Pregnancy Signs

Below are the list of ectopic pregnancy symptoms

A female might not observe any signs initially. Yet, a few females who have an ectopic pregnancy experience the general early signs of pregnancy i.e., a missed period, nausea, and breast tenderness.

If she undergoes a pregnancy test, the result would be positive. Still, an ectopic pregnancy might not carry on as normal. As the fertilized egg develops in the inappropriate position, signs might be more visible.

Early warning of ectopic pregnancy

Frequently, the initial warning symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy may be pelvic pain and light vaginal bleeding. If blood seeps from the fallopian tube, she might experience shoulder pain or an urge to have a bowel movement. Her particular signs may be based upon the place where the blood collects and which nerves get irritated.

Emergency signs

If the fertilized egg continues to grow in the fallopian tube, it can cause the tube to rupture. Heavy bleeding inside the abdomen is likely. Symptoms of this life-threatening event include extreme light headedness, fainting and shock.

Ectopic Pregnancy Causes and Risk Factors

A female might never know why she has an ectopic pregnancy. One cause might be a damaged fallopian tube. It might keep the fertilized egg from attaching the uterus.

She may be more expected to experience an ectopic pregnancy if she:

• has pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• is above 35 years of age
• smoke cigarettes
• had a previous ectopic pregnancy
• use fertility drugs
• have a STD
• tried to have tubal ligation (tubes tied) or tubal ligation reversal
• have scarring from pelvic surgery
• had fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF)

Also, this pregnancy may occur if a female becomes pregnant while she has an intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control.

Ectopic Pregnancy Complications

During an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg gets enclosed in a structure that might develop for a number of weeks outside the uterus. However, the structure generally bursts between 6 and 16 weeks. This might result in severe bleeding. If the bleeding does not get stopped, female’s body may begin shutting down because of the blood loss (hemorrhagic shock). Also, the odds of dying from it enhances. If it’s managed before it bursts, it rarely brings about death.

If the structure bursts, it might lead to damaged fallopian tube. The concerned doctor may remove the fallopian tube during the surgery. However, a female might have two fallopian tubes. If a female’s other tube is healthy, she must still be capable of conceiving. However, if the other fallopian tube is damaged or is absent, she might experience fertility problems. In such case, it is good to discuss with the concerned doctor about other ways to get pregnant, such as IVF (in vitro fertilization).

Prevention

Prediction and prevention are not likely in every case. A female might be capable of lowering her risk via good reproductive health maintenance. She must have her partner wear a condom during sex and limit the number of sexual partners. This lowers the risk of STDs, which might result in PID, a condition that might result in inflamed fallopian tubes.

Maintain regular visits with the concerned doctor, such as regular gynecological exams and regular STD evaluations. It is better to take steps to improve personal health, including quitting smoking.

When to visit a healthcare provider

Look for an emergency medical attention if a female experiences any signs or symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy, such as:

• Shoulder pain
• Serious abdominal or pelvic pain followed by vaginal bleeding
• Intense drowsiness or fainting