Chow Can You Tell if a Baby Is in Your Tubes

• What Is
  • What should I know nearly ectopic pregnancy?
  • What is the medical definition of ectopic pregnancy?
  • What is an ectopic pregnancy? What does an ectopic pregnancy look like (pic)?
• Symptoms/Signs
  • What are the early and later signs and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy?
• Causes/Risk Factors
  • What are adventure factors for ectopic pregnancy?
• Tests/Diagnosis
  • Is there a examination to diagnose ectopic pregnancy?
• Dangers
  • Is an ectopic pregnancy dangerous? Tin can you lot die from it?
• Treatment
  • What are the treatments for ectopic pregnancy?
  • What medications treat ectopic pregnancy? Tin an ectopic pregnancy go full term?
• Center
  • Ectopic Pregnancy (Tubal Pregnancy) Center
• Comments
  • Patient Comments: Ectopic Pregnancy - Symptoms
  • Patient Comments: Ectopic Pregnancy - Treatments
  • Patient Comments: Ectopic Pregnancy - Diagnosis
  • Patient Comments: Ectopic Pregnancy - Run a risk Factors
  • Patient Comments: Ectopic Pregnancy - Feel

An ectopic pregnancy besides is known every bit a tubal pregnancy as it ofttimes occurs in the Fallopian tubes. Source: Bigstock

What should I know nigh ectopic pregnancy?

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What is an ectopic pregnancy?

An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy located outside the inner lining of the uterus. The Fallopian tubes are the most common locations for an ectopic pregnancy.

What are the signs and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy?

The iii symptoms (characteristics) of ectopic pregnancy are abdominal pain, absenteeism of menstrual periods (amenorrhea), and vaginal bleeding. All the same, only about fifty% of women have all iii of these symptoms.

What causes and ectopic pregnancy?

Ectopic or tubal pregnancy is acquired when a fertilized egg lodges in a Fallopian tube or other location instead of continuing its journeying to the uterus, where it is supposed to implant. The egg tin can become stuck when a Fallopian tube is damaged, scarred, or distorted.

What are the hazard factors for ectopic pregnancy?

Gamble factors for ectopic pregnancy include previous ectopic pregnancies and conditions (surgery, infection) that disrupt the normal anatomy of the Fallopian tubes. The major health adventure of an ectopic pregnancy is rupture, leading to internal bleeding.

What is the pct of women who accept an ectopic pregnancy?

Ectopic pregnancy occurs in 1%-ii% of all pregnancies.

What exams, tests, or procedures diagnose ectopic pregnancy?

Diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy is unremarkably established by blood hormone tests and pelvic ultrasound.

What treatments are available for ectopic pregnancy? Will you demand surgery?

Treatment options for ectopic pregnancy include both surgery and medication.

Bleeding in Early on Pregnancy

Causes of haemorrhage during offset trimester

Serious causes of bleeding during the first trimester of pregnancy include:

• Ectopic pregnancy
• Molar pregnancy
• Miscarriage
• Threatened miscarriage
• Subchorionic hemorrhage

If y'all notice any haemorrhage during any stage of pregnancy, phone call your doctor.

All ectopic pregnancies can exist dangerous, requiring prompt medical intervention. Source: Getty Images

What is the medical definition of ectopic pregnancy?

An ectopic pregnancy is an early on pregnancy that occurs outside of the normal location (uterine lining) for a developing pregnancy. Almost ectopic pregnancies occur in the Fallopian tubes. An ectopic pregnancy cannot progress normally and typically results in the death of the embryo or fetus.

What is an ectopic pregnancy? What does an ectopic pregnancy look like (picture)?

Flick of an ectopic or tubal pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy (EP) is a condition in which a fertilized egg settles and grows in any location other than the inner lining of the uterus. The vast majority of ectopic pregnancies are then-chosen tubal pregnancies and occur in the Fallopian tube. However, they can occur in other locations, such every bit the ovary, cervix, and abdominal cavity. An ectopic pregnancy occurs in about one in 1%-two% of all pregnancies. A molar pregnancy differs from an ectopic pregnancy in that it is unremarkably a mass of tissue derived from an egg with incomplete genetic data that grows in the uterus in a grape-similar mass that can cause symptoms to those of pregnancy.

The major health risk of ectopic pregnancy is rupture leading to internal bleeding. Earlier the 19th century, the mortality rate (death rate) from ectopic pregnancies exceeded 50%. By the end of the 19th century, the mortality rate dropped to five percentage because of surgical intervention. Statistics suggest that with current advances in early on detection, the mortality rate has improved to less than v in 10,000. The survival rate from ectopic pregnancies is improving even though the incidence of ectopic pregnancies is also increasing. The major reason for a poor outcome is a failure to seek early medical attention. Ectopic pregnancy remains the leading cause of pregnancy-related death in the commencement trimester of pregnancy.

In rare cases, an ectopic pregnancy may occur at the same time as intrauterine pregnancy. This is referred to as heterotopic pregnancy. The incidence of heterotopic pregnancy has risen in recent years due to the increasing use of IVF (in vitro fertilization) and other assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs).

What does an ectopic pregnancy look like?

For additional diagrams and photos, please see the last reference listed below.

Symptoms of ectopic pregnancies may mimic the early signs of a normal pregnancy. Source: Bigstock

What are the early and later signs and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy?

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The woman may not be aware that she is pregnant. The three classic signs and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy include abdominal pain, the absenteeism of menstrual periods (amenorrhea), and vaginal bleeding or intermittent bleeding (spotting). Withal, about 50% of females with an ectopic pregnancy volition not accept all three signs. These characteristic symptoms occur in ruptured ectopic pregnancies (those accompanied by severe internal bleeding) and non-ruptured ectopic pregnancies. All the same, while these symptoms are typical for an ectopic pregnancy, they exercise not mean an ectopic pregnancy is necessarily nowadays and could represent other conditions. In fact, these symptoms also occur with a threatened abortion (miscarriage) in not-ectopic pregnancies.

The signs and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy typically occur six to viii weeks subsequently the last normal menstrual menstruum, only they may occur later on if the ectopic pregnancy is non located in the Fallopian tube. Other symptoms of pregnancy (for example, nausea and chest discomfort, etc.) may also exist present in ectopic pregnancy. Weakness, dizziness and a sense of passing out upon standing tin (also termed near-syncope) be signs of serious internal bleeding and depression blood pressure from a ruptured ectopic pregnancy and require immediate medical attention. Unfortunately, some women with a bleeding ectopic pregnancy practice not recognize they take symptoms of ectopic pregnancy. Their diagnosis is delayed until the woman shows signs of shock (for example, low blood pressure, weak and rapid pulse, stake skin, and confusion) and often is brought to an emergency department. This situation is a medical emergency.

The greatest chance cistron for an ectopic pregnancy is a history of other ectopic pregnancies. Source: Getty Images

What are risk factors for ectopic pregnancy?

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Age: Ectopic pregnancy tin can occur in any woman, of any age, who is ovulating and is sexually active with a male person partner. The highest likelihood of ectopic pregnancy occurs in women anile 35-44 years.

History: The greatest risk factor for an ectopic pregnancy is a prior history of an ectopic pregnancy.

Fallopian tube abnormalities: Whatever disruption of the normal architecture of the Fallopian tubes tin exist a chance cistron for a tubal pregnancy or ectopic pregnancy in other locations.

Previous gynecological surgeries: Previous surgery on the Fallopian tubes such as tubal sterilization or reconstructive, procedures can lead to scarring and disruption of the normal anatomy of the tubes and increases the risk of an ectopic pregnancy.

Infections: Infection in the pelvis (pelvic inflammatory disease) is another take chances factor for ectopic pregnancy. Pelvic infections are usually caused by sexually-transmitted organisms, such as Chlamydia or Due north. gonorrhoeae, the bacteria that cause gonorrhea. However, not-sexually transmitted bacteria can also cause pelvic infection and increment the risk of an ectopic pregnancy. The infection causes an ectopic pregnancy by damaging or obstructing the Fallopian tubes. Usually, the inner lining of the Fallopian tubes is coated with pocket-sized hair-similar projections called cilia. These cilia are of import to ship the egg smoothly from the ovary through the Fallopian tube and into the uterus. If these cilia are damaged by infection, egg send becomes disrupted. The fertilized egg tin can settle in the Fallopian tube without reaching the uterus, thus becoming an ectopic pregnancy. Likewise, infection-related scarring and partial blockage of the Fallopian tubes can likewise forbid the egg from reaching the uterus.

Multiple sexual practice partners: Because having multiple sexual partners increases a woman's risk of pelvic infections, multiple sexual partners also are associated with an increased adventure of ectopic pregnancy.

Gynecological weather: Like pelvic infections, weather condition such as endometriosis, coarse tumors, or pelvic scar tissue (pelvic adhesions), tin can narrow the Fallopian tubes and disrupt egg transportation, thereby increasing the chances of an ectopic pregnancy.

IUD use: Approximately one-half of the pregnancies in women using intrauterine devices (IUDs) will be located outside of the uterus. However, the total number of women becoming pregnant while using IUDs is extremely low. Therefore, the overall number of ectopic pregnancies related to IUDs is very depression.

Cigarette smoking: Cigarette smoking effectually the time of conception has as well been associated with an increased gamble of ectopic pregnancy. This risk was observed to be dose-dependent, which means that the gamble is dependent upon the individual adult female's habits and increases with the number of cigarettes smoked.

Infertility: A history of infertility for 2 or more years also is associated with an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.
Other causes: Infection, built abnormalities, or tumors of the Fallopian tubes can increment a woman'south take a chance of having an ectopic pregnancy.

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Diagnosing ectopic pregnancy includes a standard pregnancy test and concrete exam. Source: iStock

Is there a test to diagnose ectopic pregnancy?

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The first step in the diagnosis is an interview and examination by the doc. The usual 2d step is to obtain a qualitative (positive or negative for pregnancy) or quantitative (measures hormone levels) pregnancy exam. Occasionally, the physician may feel a tender mass during the pelvic examination. If an ectopic pregnancy is suspected, the combination of blood hormone pregnancy tests and pelvic ultrasound can ordinarily help to establish the diagnosis. Transvaginal ultrasound is the virtually useful examination to visualize an ectopic pregnancy. In this test, an ultrasound probe is inserted into the vagina, and pelvic images are visible on a monitor. Transvaginal ultrasound tin reveal the gestational sac in either a normal (intrauterine) pregnancy or an ectopic pregnancy, but often the findings are non conclusive. Rather than a gestational sac containing a visible embryo, the examination may simply reveal a mass in the expanse of the Fallopian tubes or elsewhere that is suggestive of, but non conclusive for, an ectopic pregnancy. The ultrasound can too demonstrate the absence of pregnancy within the uterus.

Pregnancy tests are designed to discover specific hormones; the beta subunit of human being chorionic gonadotrophin (beta HCG) blood levels are also used in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. Beta HCG levels ordinarily rise during pregnancy. An aberrant blueprint in the rise of this hormone can be a clue to the presence of an ectopic pregnancy. In rare cases, laparoscopy may be needed to ostend a diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. During laparoscopy, viewing instruments are inserted through small incisions in the abdominal wall to visualize the structures in the abdomen and pelvis, thereby revealing the site of the ectopic pregnancy.

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Surgical intervention is oftentimes required in cases of ectopic pregnancy when complications ascend. Source: Getty Images

Is an ectopic pregnancy unsafe? Can you die from it?

Some women spontaneously absorb the fetus from the ectopic pregnancy and have no apparent side furnishings. In these instances, the woman can be observed without treatment. However, the true incidence of spontaneous resolution of ectopic pregnancies is unknown. It is not possible to predict which women will spontaneously resolve their ectopic pregnancies.

The most feared complication of an ectopic pregnancy is rupture, leading to internal haemorrhage, pelvic and abdominal pain, daze, and fifty-fifty death. Therefore, bleeding in an ectopic pregnancy may require immediate surgical attending. Haemorrhage results from the rupture of the Fallopian tube or from blood leaking from the stop of the tube every bit the growing placenta erodes into the veins and arteries located inside the tubal wall. Claret coming from the tube tin be very irritating to other tissues and organs in the pelvis and abdomen, and upshot in pregnant pain. The pelvic claret can pb to scar tissue formation that tin can result in issues with becoming pregnant in the future. The scar tissue can also increase the risk of future ectopic pregnancies.

Which specialties of doctors care for ectopic pregnancy?

Obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNs) are the specialists who typically treat ectopic pregnancies. However, emergency medicine specialists and surgeons care for ruptured ectopic pregnancies. If y'all think you may have a ruptured ectopic pregnancy go to your nearest emergency room right abroad.

Surgical intervention is often required in cases of ectopic pregnancy when complications arise. Source: Getty Images

What are the treatments for ectopic pregnancy?

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Treatment options for ectopic pregnancy include observation, laparoscopy, laparotomy, and medication. The selection of these options is individualized. Some ectopic pregnancies volition resolve on their own without the need for any intervention, while others will need urgent surgery due to life-threatening bleeding. All the same, considering of the risk of rupture and potentially dire consequences, almost women with a diagnosed ectopic pregnancy are treated with medications or surgery.

For those who crave intervention, the most mutual treatment is surgery. Two surgical options are bachelor; laparotomy and laparoscopy. Laparotomy is an open up procedure whereby a transverse (bikini line) incision is made across the lower belly. Laparoscopy involves inserting viewing instruments into the pelvis through tiny incisions in the skin. For many surgeons and patients, laparoscopy is preferred over laparotomy because of the tiny incisions used and the speedy recovery after. Nether optimal conditions, a small incision can exist fabricated in the Fallopian tube and the ectopic pregnancy removed, leaving the Fallopian tube intact. However, certain conditions make laparoscopy less effective or unavailable as an alternative. These include massive pelvic scar tissue and excessive blood in the abdomen or pelvis. In some instances, the location or extent of the damage may require the removal of a portion of the Fallopian tube, the unabridged tube, the ovary, and fifty-fifty the uterus.

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Medical treatment for ectopic pregnancy involves the use of an anti-cancer drug called methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall). Source: iStock

What medications treat ectopic pregnancy? Tin can an ectopic pregnancy go full term?

Medical therapy can besides exist successful in treating certain groups of women who accept an ectopic pregnancy. Medical treatment method involves the use of an anti-cancer drug called methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall). This drug acts past killing the growing cells of the placenta, thereby inducing miscarriage of the ectopic pregnancy. Some patients may not respond to methotrexate, and will require surgical treatment. Methotrexate is gaining popularity because of its loftier success rate and low charge per unit of side effects.

There are certain factors, including the size of the mass associated with the ectopic pregnancy and the blood beta HCG concentrations that help doctors decide which women are candidates for medical rather than surgical treatment. The optimal candidates for methotrexate treatment are women with a beta-subunit (HCG) concentration less than or equal to 5000 mIU/mL. In a properly selected patient population, methotrexate therapy is well-nigh xc% effective in treating ectopic pregnancy. There is no evidence that the use of this drug causes whatever adverse effects in subsequent pregnancies. Additional tests (HCG) are usually ordered to confirm that methotrexate treatment is effective.

Can an ectopic pregnancy go total term?

Although there have been a few reported cases of women giving nativity by cesarean section to alive infants that were located outside the uterus, this is extremely rare. The chance of carrying an ectopic pregnancy to full term is and so remote, and the risk to the woman then neat, that it can never exist recommended. It would be ideal if an ectopic pregnancy in the Fallopian tube could be saved by surgery to relocate it into the uterus. This concept has yet to become accustomed every bit a successful procedure. Overall, there have been corking advances in the early diagnosis and treatment of ectopic pregnancy, and the decease rate from this condition has decreased dramatically.

Medically Reviewed on 2/18/2021

References

Sepilian, Five. Doctor. "Ectopic Pregnancy." Medscape. Sep 28, 2017.
<http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2041923-overview>

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Source: https://www.medicinenet.com/ectopic_pregnancy/article.htm

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