Ectopic Pregnancy, Pregnant at External Content

Pregnancy begins with a fertilized egg cell. Usually the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. However, in cases of ectopic pregnancy or a pregnancy that can be interpreted as outside the womb, the egg is fertilized in other places.

Ectopic pregnancy almost always occurs in one of the tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus (fallopian tubes). This type of ectopic pregnancy is often known as tubal pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is rare in the ovary, abdomen, or neck of the womb (cervix).

Ectopic pregnancy can not continue like a normal pregnancy. The fertilized egg can not survive, and can harm the developing fetus is the mother of the fetus.



If not treated immediately life threatening, because it could potentially cause loss of blood. Early treatment of ectopic pregnancy can help to preserve normal pregnant with opportunity in the future.

Cause

Ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg is stuck on the way to the uterus. This is often caused because the fallopian tubes are never injured, damaged, or defective. Sometimes, the specific cause of ectopic pregnancy still can not be determined with certainty.

Symptom

In many cases, a woman with an ectopic pregnancy do not feel pregnant. If there are signs and symptoms early, will probably resemble pregnancy, among others:

1. Missed a period
2. Breast pain
3. Nausea
4. Fatigue

If there are signs and symptoms and perform a pregnancy test, you will get positive results. But ectopic pregnancy can not continue like normal pregnancy. Signs that a first warning of an ectopic pregnancy, among others:

1. Vaginal bleeding
2. Lower abdominal pain
3. Cramps on one side of the pelvis

If the fallopian tubes rupture, symptoms that can occur include:
1. Pain is sharp, stabbing in the pelvis, abdomen, or even the shoulder and neck
2. Dizziness

Treatment

A fertilized egg can not develop normally outside the uterus. To prevent life-threatening complications, ectopic tissue must be removed.

Sometimes if an ectopic pregnancy is detected early, an injection of the drug methotrexate can be used to stop cell growth and dissolve existing cells.

After injection, the doctor will monitor the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). If the HCG levels remain high, may need an injection of methotrexate other types.

If ectopic pregnancy does not respond to drugs because of its size is too large, then it can not use methotrexate again. And may require laparoscopic surgery. In this procedure, the doctor makes a small incision in the abdomen, usually near the navel.

Then the doctor will use 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 and repair the fallopian tubes. If the fallopian tube is significantly damaged, it may need to be removed.

If ectopic pregnancy cause heavy bleeding or the fallopian tube has ruptured, the patient may require emergency surgery through an abdominal incision (laparotomy). In some cases, the fallopian tubes can be repaired. In some cases, an injection of methotrexate is also required after surgery.

Sources: MayoClinic