subject: Ectopic Pregnancy [print this page] An ectopic pregnancy also known as a tubal pregnancy - is when a fertilised egg implants itself somewhere other than the womb, usually in the fallopian tube, but also sometimes in the cervix, in an ovary or in the abdomen.
It is a fairly common condition, affecting two in every 100 pregnancies in the UK each year.
Ectopic pregnancy symptoms
Some women dont experience any ectopic pregnancy symptoms and the condition is only discovered during an early scan or if the fallopian tube ruptures and symptoms become severe and, in untreated cases, life-threatening.
If there are ectopic pregnancy symptoms, they usually appear in the first trimester and include:
oSharp, cramp-like pain with tenderness, usually in the lower abdomen. This often begins as a dull ache that becomes spasms and cramps.
oBright or dark red vaginal bleeding which can start and stop and is often mistaken for a menstrual period. Sometimes a light bleed is experienced just before the onset of pain.
oSometimes women report having a pain in the shoulder, at the top of the arm (usually at its worst when lying down). This can be a sign of internal bleeding which irritates a nerve in the diaphragm causing this referred pain.
oSometimes there is pain when going to the toilet or coughing.
oDiarrhoea and vomiting can be ectopic pregnancy symptoms.
oIf the fallopian tube ruptures it can cause dangerous internal bleeding. Symptoms of this can include feeling faint or feeling sick, a clammy paleness and quickened heart beat, a much stronger pain, rectal pressure and much heavier vaginal bleeding.
Cause
For many women there is no obvious cause of an ectopic pregnancy. However there are conditions that can increase the chances of a pregnancy going wrong in this way. These include:
oInfections in the womb, fallopian tubes or ovaries
oPelvic inflammatory disease or inflammation of the fallopian tubes
oEndometriosis
oOvulation which is stimulated by fertility medication
oAbnormally-shaped fallopian tubes (perhaps from scarring following surgery or naturally)
oConception at an older age
oSTDs
oA previous ectopic pregnancy
Diagnosis
If an ectopic pregnancy is suspected in the first weeks of pregnancy a blood test may be carried out to measure the levels of the pregnancy hormone HCG.
These levels will be lower than normal if the pregnancy is ectopic. A vaginal ultrasound can check the location of the pregnancy. In some cases a laparoscopy may confirm an ectopic pregnancy and then the embryo or fallopian tube is removed during the procedure.
Treatment
Unfortunately, the baby cannot be saved in an ectopic pregnancy. However, if it is diagnosed before the fallopian tube ruptures, the pregnancy can be safely ended using medication or surgery.
Many embryos die in an ectopic pregnancy without medical intervention.
If the fallopian tube ruptures, emergency surgery will be needed and this often means the fallopian tube has to be removed.
