Ectopic pregnancy or ectopic pregnancy is described as the growth of a fertilized egg outside a woman’s uterus elsewhere in the womb. The condition can lead to serious bleeding and requires immediate medical attention. In over 90% of these cases, the egg implants in a fallopian tube and this is called a tubal pregnancy.
Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy
The signs of an ectopic pregnancy may go unnoticed, as they usually occur in the first few weeks of pregnancy, when you may not even be aware you are pregnant. The first signs of the disease include pelvic pain with light vaginal bleeding, weakness or dizziness, severe abdominal cramps, upset stomach, vomiting, etc.
Additionally, the fallopian tube can burst or rupture as a result of a tubal pregnancy, causing severe pain with or without severe bleeding. You should call your doctor immediately if you have heavy vaginal bleeding with dizziness, fainting, or severe pain in your stomach or shoulders, especially on one side.
Causes and risk factors
Although the exact cause of an ectopic pregnancy is not known, a damaged fallopian tube could be one of the reasons that could prevent the fertilized egg from entering your uterus. Also, an ectopic pregnancy is more likely if you have pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), scarring from pelvic surgery, an attempted tubal ligation (attached tubes), or an inversion of the tubal. tubal ligation, previous ectopic pregnancy, sexually transmitted infection, genital tuberculosis, smoking cigarettes, using fertility drugs.
If the fallopian tube has ruptured or is about to rupture, doctors or surgeons will prefer to operate. Surgery is often performed in extreme situations. This is a life-saving treatment and an emergency procedure. Typically, surgery is performed through several small incisions instead of one larger incision, an advanced procedure known as laparoscopy. If possible, the surgeon will remove the entire fallopian tube with the egg remaining inside, or the egg will be removed from the tube.
Treatment and prevention
Although there is no way to prevent the disease, you can reduce the risk of getting it by using a condom during sex to avoid getting sexually transmitted infections which can reduce the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease and limit the number of sexual partners. Another way to prevent illness is to avoid smoking, and if you already smoke, quit before trying to get pregnant.
An ectopic pregnancy can burst to open your fallopian tube, and if left untreated, the ruptured tube can lead to life-threatening bleeding. Treatment involves the use of medication or surgery depending on the severity of the disease. Methotrexate injection is generally used to treat ectopic pregnancy. Usually one injection dose is sufficient, however, in some cases a second or third injection may be needed to treat the condition. Surgery is the treatment of choice in severe cases where your fallopian tube has ruptured or if there is a risk of rupture.
After an ectopic pregnancy, it can be difficult to have a typical pregnancy. In such a case, it is best to consider talking to a fertility specialist, especially if you have had your fallopian tubes removed. In addition, an ectopic pregnancy increases the risk of having another. Therefore, if you do get pregnant again, pay attention to changes in your body until your doctor can confirm that it is developing instead.
(Contributions from Dr Archana Dhawan Bajaj, director of the Nurture IVF clinic)
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