An Ectopic pregnancy is a life threatening condition that requires emergency treatment
. It is estimates to occur in 1 among 50 pregnancy cases. An Ectopic pregnancy happens when one of the damaged fallopian tubes doesn"t allow fertilized eggs to pass to the uterus, thus causing the egg to implant in either fallopian tube or elsewhere. It is most probably likely to occur within the first weeks of pregnancy and is usually discovered by the 8th week of pregnancy. Early detection and treatment can save life threatening blood loss and can help preserve the chance for a safe future pregnancy.
The common Ectopic pregnancy symptoms are as given below:
Dizziness or weakness
Light vaginal bleeding
Pain in shoulder, rectum and neck
Nausea and vomiting
Pain on one side of the body
Sharp abdominal cramps
Lower abdominal pain
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, you should get in touch with your concerned doctor right away. You should get emergency treatment immediately so as to reduce the risk of severe bleeding and to preserve your fertility.
The Risk factors of Ectopic Pregnancy
A woman with above mentioned pregnancy symptoms runs risks like the following:
Congenital abnormality that may cause problems at the time of birth
Use of intrauterine device (UID) which is a form of birth control at the time of conception
Fertility
History of Ectopic pregnancy
Infertility treatment such as in vitro fertilization (IVF)
In the beginning the pregnancy symptoms seem just like a normal pregnancy with symptoms like missed period, nausea and breast tenderness. Everything will look normal until you start experiencing light vaginal bleeding, abdominal and pelvic pain. One may experience heavy vaginal bleeding followed by fainting, lightheadedness and shock if the Ectopic pregnancy occurs in the cervix and the fallopian tube ruptures.
You can"t prevent an ectopic pregnancy but you can certainly work towards reducing the risk factors. If you have had an Ectopic pregnancy earlier, better talk to your doctor before conceiving a second time. Early blood test and ultrasound would help detect if there is another Ectopic pregnancy or the pregnancy is normal.
Losing your pregnancy can be devastating but take belief that it was for the good. Talk to your friends and family and take their support to come out of the grief. You may also seek help of a support group or counselor to help you come to terms with the loss and to prepare for the future.
If you get confirmed for Ectopic pregnancy, don"t worry as the concerned physician would decide and initiate the treatment that best suits your condition and health status. The health care provider would also decide on the treatment based on your future plans regarding pregnancy.