The term ectopic refers to something that is wrongly placed. When we talk of an ectopic pregnancy, we are pretty much defining a pregnancy that is in the wrong place, and in this case the pregnancy would be outside the womb or uterus.

Over 95% of all ectopic pregnancies occur due to implantation within the fallopian tubes, hence the frequent use of the alternate name, tubal pregnancies.If left treated, the tube could easily rupture and bring about internal bleeding leading to fatal consequences. Because the pregnancy cannot be moved and placed on the uterus, ectopic pregnancies do not survive. Treatment involves removal of the pregnancy tissues and the fallopian tube affected.

What Does an Ectopic Pregnancy Feel Like?

The early stages of an ectopic pregnancy feel no different from that of a normal pregnancy. The woman will experience normal symptoms such as:

• A missed menstrual period
• Tenderness in the breasts
• Nausea
• Frequent urination
• Fatigue

Some of the symptoms that should help you suspect an ectopic pregnancy are:

• Mild to severe pain on one side of your pelvis and this pain may appear suddenly or gradually.
• Vaginal bleeding which is different from normal menstruation. The blood may appear brighter and lighter or darker than usual and watery. The bleeding has been likened to the appearance of prune juice.
• Painful bowel movements or diarrhea
• Pain in the shoulder tip which worsens when lying down. This pain occurs when the internal bleeding irritates organs such as the diaphragm
• Collapsing or shock mainly due to internal bleeding
• Profuse sweating and faintness

It’s important to note that sometimes the woman may not experience these symptoms especially during the early stages of pregnancy. These symptoms are not always consistent and they could appear and disappear

Here is a video to tell you more about signs and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy:

What Causes an Ectopic Pregnancy?

The major contributing factor to an ectopic pregnancy is the damage of the woman’s fallopian tube. Damaged tubes make it difficult for the fertilized egg to freely make its way through the fallopian tube to the womb. Due to the obstruction, the egg will begin to develop in the tube.

Here are some factors to cause fallopian tube damage leading to ectopic pregnancies:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).This leads to scar tissue formation in the fallopian tubes and could be as a result of gonorrhea or Chlamydia infections.
• A previous fallopian tube operation. Surgical procedures within the fallopian tube may cause scarring leading to a blocked tube. Fallopian tube procedures include tubal ligation as well as surgical procedures conducted to remove scar tissue or open up blocked tubes.
• Smoking. It is believed that smoking can cause damage within the fallopian tubes. Women smokers and even those who quit are at a higher likelihood of developing an ectopic pregnancy.
• A prior ectopic pregnancy

Getting pregnant after tubal ligation or when you have an intrauterine device or IUD is quite rare. Pregnancies that develop in these circumstances are more likely to be ectopic. Some causes of this abnormal pregnancy are still unknown.

What to Do When I Have Symptoms of an Ectopic Pregnancy

If you experience the classic symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy, you need to seek immediate medical attention. In most cases, these pregnancies are arrested early enough to conduct tests and perform surgical operations if needed. If the fallopian tubes are ruptured, the doctor will take the patient straight to surgery.

Proper diagnosis first needs to be done before treatment. The doctor will first have to take a pregnancy test which will confirm pregnancy and measure the hCG levels in your blood. Low hCG levels are an indication of an ectopic pregnancy. Blood tests also may be undertaken to identify pregnancy hormone levels.

An ultrasound scan is necessary in confirming and locating the position of the pregnancy. Ultrasounds don’t always produce conclusive results and you might need to undergo another scan after a few days. If the ultrasound still doesn’t confirm the pregnancy, an investigative operation can be done using the laparoscopy procedure. This is a minimally invasive procedure that is conducted via a tiny incision using a viewing instrument.

How to Treat an Ectopic Pregnancy

Notes:

If you have an ectopic pregnancy, your doctor will recommend the appropriate treatment for your pregnancy. Support is also provided throughout the treatment period and after treatment.