An ectopic pregnancy is a condition in which a pregnancy develops outside the uterine cavity , often in the fallopian tubes. It is estimated that 1 in 100 pregnancies develop outside the uterus, and more than 95% of these develop in the fallopian tubes.
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| Ectopic pregnancy |
The fallopian tubes are two narrow tubes that connect the uterine cavity and the abdominal cavity along the ovaries.
The fallopian tube receives the egg emerging from the ovary during the process of ovulation, within which the process of fertilization by the sperm occurs, to begin the initial development of the fetus.
In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg does not advance into the uterine cavity and continues to develop inside the canal. In other cases, pregnancy may develop in the cervix, above the ovary, and in other organs in the abdominal cavity.
Can I get pregnant again after an ectopic pregnancy?
The possibility of an ectopic pregnancy increases by 15% after the first time, but this does not prevent a woman from being able to get pregnant again and give birth naturally. The important thing is to be in close contact with the doctor and to monitor her pregnancy continuously to make sure that everything is fine, Risk factors, despite their many, can be treated so that they do not affect a woman's fertility in the long term.
Ectopic pregnancy symptoms
Clinical symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are varied, and are related to a ruptured tube.
1. Early symptoms of ectopic pregnancy
The most common symptoms are:
Feeling pain in the abdomen or pelvis.
Delayed menstrual bleeding expected.
Get a positive pregnancy test result .
2. Post-ectopic pregnancy symptoms
Later, other symptoms often appear, such as:
Light or irregular vaginal bleeding, or only spotting.
sudden pain in the abdomen;
Abdominal distension.
general weakness
dizziness or fainting;
Profuse bleeding in the abdominal cavity.
Pain in the shoulders or when breathing deeply due to stimulation of the diaphragm.
Feeling of pressure in the anal area.
Causes and risk factors for ectopic pregnancy
There are many causes and factors for an ectopic pregnancy.
1. Causes of ectopic pregnancy
The causes of an ectopic pregnancy are many, but in general, the risk of an ectopic pregnancy increases due to damage to the fallopian tubes as a result of one of the following:
Having an infection.
As a result of having undergone surgery in the past.
Use of an intrauterine device.
2. Risk factors
Among the factors that increase the risk of developing the disease are the following:
The presence of diseases in the pelvis.
Age over 35 years old.
Infection with sexually transmitted diseases.
Taking fertility-stimulating drugs.
Previous exposure to an ectopic pregnancy.
Ectopic pregnancy complications
An advanced pregnancy in the fallopian tubes can lead to:
Canal wall rupture.
Bleeding in the many blood vessels that supply the developing gestational sac into the abdominal cavity.
Hematogenous shock .
danger to life.
Diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy
These examinations aim to determine if the pregnancy is healthy inside the womb, or abnormal inside or outside the uterus, and the examinations are of two types:
1. Laboratory tests
In laboratory tests, the volume of human chorionic gonadotropin (βhCG) in the blood can be checked.
In this examination, the concentration in the blood of a portion of the hormone that is secreted by the developing pregnancy tissue is examined, and its gradual rise in the blood to match the expected gestational age in the first weeks of its development.
In an ectopic pregnancy, testing often shows a low level of hCG, compared with the level expected in a healthy intrauterine pregnancy.
2. Imaging examination
The most important imaging test is the pelvic ultrasound. During a healthy pregnancy, it is usually possible to photograph the uterine sac inside the uterine cavity a week after the delay in menstruation.
If there are high levels of hCG without being able to see the gestational sac inside the uterine cavity, there is a very high chance of an ectopic pregnancy, sometimes the uterus can be imaged.
ectopic pregnancy treatment
In the event of an ectopic pregnancy, the doctor must terminate the pregnancy to protect the mother from developing serious complications. The treatment is as follows:
1. Pharmacotherapy
In the event that it is detected at an early stage and the bleeding continues, the doctor will give the patient methotrexate intravenously, as this drug inhibits the growth and division of cells, which leads to the disposal of the fetus.
2. Surgical treatment
In some cases, surgical or laparoscopic treatment is used to remove the pregnancy.
The method of operation depends on the amount of bleeding, and the subsequent damage to the fallopian tubes.
Prevention of ectopic pregnancy
There is no way to prevent an ectopic pregnancy, but some measures may help reduce the chances of infection, such as:
Not having sex with more than one partner.
Practice safe sex.
Quit Smoking.