Ectopic pregnancy is not a normal pregnancy. In normal pregnancy, the sperms reach the egg in the fallopian tube, where fertilization occurs and then, this fertilized egg travels on to reach the uterus and implants itself there to complete the gestation period. However, in ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg fails to reach the uterus for the gestation period and instead implant itself anywhere outside uterus, like cervix, fallopian tube, abdominal cavity. In general, in ectopic pregnancy cases, the fertilized egg implants itself in the fallopian tube.
Causes of Ectopic Pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy occurs as a result of the fertilized egg’s inability to travel down the fallopian tube and into the uterus. This may be caused by an infection, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, or swelling that has formed an obstruction inside the tube.
Tubal surgery – women who have had operations on their tubes are more at risk of ectopic. This includes tubal ligatoin, reversal of sterilisation or tubal surgery for a previous ectopic.
Previous ectopic – about 10-20% of those attempting pregnancy after one ectopic will have another.
DES exposure – this is a drug that was once used during pregnancy, until it was found that female babies of women who used it were at risk of developmental abnormalities of the genital system. Their tubes are more likely to be abnormal and predisposed to ectopic pregnancy. This is a very rare problem and you would most likely already know about it.
Smoking. Women who smoke or who used to smoke have higher rates of ectopic pregnancy. The more you smoke, the higher your risk.1 Smoking is thought to damage the fallopian tubes’ ability to move the fertilized egg toward the uterus.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), such as from a chlamydia or gonorrhea infection. PID can create scar tissue in the fallopian tubes.
Fallopian tube surgery, often used to reverse a tubal ligation or to repair a scarred or blocked tube.
symptoms of ectopic pregnancy
In many cases, a pregnant woman and her doctor may not at first have any reason to suspect an ectopic pregnancy. The early signs of pregnancy, such as a missed period and other symptoms and signs, also occur in ectopic pregnancies.
Pain is usually the first sign of an ectopic pregnancy. The pain may be in the pelvis, abdomen, or even the shoulder and neck (due to blood from a ruptured ectopic pregnancy building up under the diaphragm). Pain from an ectopic pregnancy is usually described as sharp and stabbing. It may come and go or vary in intensity.
Sharp pain in the abdomen or pelvis
Signs of early pregnancy
Irregular Vaginal bleeding
Abdominal pain on one side of the abdomen
Unexplained dizziness or fainting
Remedy For Ectopic Pregnancy
If the ectopic pregnancy is at initial stage then it can be destroyed by a drug methotrexate, which has very minimum side effects. At advanced level, it can only be treated with the help of surgery, in which the pregnancy will be removed.
After-effects Of Ectopic Preganancy
Due to doses of methotrexate, there will be a little nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.
When the surgery is actually performed at advanced level, there might be a decrease in the womans fertility. You must know that your pregnancy is normal or not. You will know the early signs of pregnancy if you monitor your pregnancy week by week. If you find anything unusual, see a doctor at once.
Archive for August, 2006
Ectopic Pregnancy – Symptoms, Causes and Remedies
Saturday, August 19th, 2006Early Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy – an Overview
Friday, August 18th, 2006
How do I know? A common question any average woman would ask. To avoid hap-hazardous steps taken in confusion, here is some information on signs and symptoms of pregnancy to let you know ‘this is it’.
What happens right away?
Its there on your first pregnancy test you tried, but few things may happen even before you experience the visible early signs of pregnancy. Skipping periods may not always happen because of conception. Similarly, pregnancy symptoms such as abdominal cramps during early days of pregnancy may be mistaken to be common menstrual cramps. Thus to avoid any such misleading due to lack of information lets look at the various early signs of pregnancy and stages of pregnancy symptoms.
Early Pregnancy Symptoms
Early signs of pregnancy can be anything from fatigue, slight bleeding cramps, nausea and food cravings to rise in basal body temperature. Signs and symptoms of pregnancy like mood swings, headaches, constipation and appetite aversions are not unique to pregnancy and might just indicate that you are sick. Similarly, one may become pregnant without experiencing any of the above early pregnancy symptoms. However, if you miss a period or it differs widely from one month to another you might to confirm it through a home pregnancy test.
Tender And Swollen Breasts
Have you ever imagined why breast tenderness, a major pregnancy symptom is a major indicator of pregnancy? The reason why breasts become tender and sore during early pregnancy is that they undergo hormonal changes to prepare for lactation i.e. breast-feeding. This kind of change in the breast size occurs generally in the first eight weeks.
Frequent Urination
During the first trimester of pregnancy i.e. roughly the first 13 weeks, you may experience an early sign of pregnancy wherein you will find yourself rushing to the restroom more often which happens because the uterus starts growing and causes frequent urination.
The Second Trimester
The second trimester of pregnancy is often considered to be the “Golden Period” as the physically demanding early signs and symptoms of pregnancy are all over by now. You get relief from pregnancy symptoms and related inconveniences such as constant nausea. Moreover, better sleep patterns are major signs of advancement in the process of healthy pregnancy.
The most joyful moment is experienced during this time as you might get to hear the first heartbeat of your baby. An ultrasound conducted in around 19 weeks may make you feel the diverse movements of your baby inside your body.
The Final Trimester
The final trimester is the final stage of pregnancy. This is the time when the fetus becomes too big to move in the uterus. Due to difficulty in finding right positions while sleeping or sitting, you may have recurrence of pregnancy symptoms such as back pain. The ankles might swell due to excess weight on the legs. At the end of the third trimester, a fetus usually settles into a head-down position in the uterus. Now you should get ready to welcome your baby in this world.
Now the fact is clear that apart from few acute pregnancy symptoms, others might just happen because of other kinds of illness. However, the safest bet is not to rely just on early signs of pregnancy but to go for home pregnancy test and confirm. If the result is negative though you experience various signs and symptoms of pregnancy, visit your doctor to know the reason behind these symptoms if you are not pregnant.
Be well prepared and aware so that your child is the only pleasant surprise you get.