Things To Remember About Ectopic Pregnancy

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by: tomcornish22 84
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Date: Tue, 29 Sep 2009 Time: 9:53 PM
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Specifying the problem
In a regular pregnancy, an impregnated egg travels through a fallopian tube to the womb. The egg attaches to the womb and begins growing. But in an ectopic pregnancy (also known as an extrauterine pregnancy), a fertilized egg implants in another place but not the womb, frequently in a fallopian tube. An ectopic pregnancy is often caused by damage to the fallopian tubes. An impregnated egg can have difficulty in travelling through a damaged tube causing the egg to attach and grow in the tube. Rarely, the egg implants in an ovary, the cervix or the belly. If the egg keeps growing in the damaged fallopian tube, it can damage or burst the tube and lead to heavy bleeding that could be lethal. If you think you have an extrauterine pregnancy, you need prompt treatment to stop it before it leads to severe health problems.
Factors bringing on salpinges damage
1. Smoking. The more cigarettes a day you smoke, the higher your risk of an ectopic pregnancy.
2. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This is often the resolution of an infection such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea.
3. Endometroid heterotopia, which can cause scar tissue in or around the uterine tubes.
4. A history of repeated induced terminations of pregnancy.
5. Being exposed to the chemical DES before birth.

Symptoms
Pain is commonly the first symptom of an ectopic pregnancy. The pain, often one-sided, may be in the pelvis, abdomen or even in the shoulder or neck. The pain is normally excruciating. Weakness, lightheadedness or fainting can signal severe internal hemorrhage, requiring immediate medical aid.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of an extrauterine pregnancy includes an ultrasouns, a pelvic examination administered to test for pain, tenderness or a mass in the abdomen. The most useful lab test is the measurement of the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin).
Treatment options
Treatment of an extrauterine pregnancy is surgery, frequently by laparoscopy these days, to remove the ectopic pregnancy. A ruptured Oviduct usually has to be removed. If the tube has not ruptured yet, it may be possible to fix it.
Future pregnancies
The extent of the operation impacts upon the chance of sucessful future pregnancies. If the Oviduct has been fixed, the chance of a successful pregnancy is commonly higher than 50%. If a uterine tube has been excised, an egg can be fertilized in the other tube, and the probability of a successful pregnancy is lower than 50%.

About the Author

In an ectopic pregnancy a fertilized ovum is unable to attach to the uterus and usually implants and grows in a salpinx. Here you can learn about the ectopic pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy signs, treatment options, causes etc.