Understanding Ectopic Pregnancy – Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment

Going through an ectopic pregnancy can be a scary and emotionally challenging time. Ectopic pregnancies are when a fertilized egg implants in the fallopian tubes on its way to the uterus. This potentially serious condition puts the mother’s life at risk. The uterus is the usual site for a healthy pregnancy to develop. But, in ectopic pregnancies, the fertilized egg implants in other locations, such as the fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix, or abdominal cavity. Ectopic pregnancies are relatively rare, occurring in about 1-2% of all pregnancies, but they require prompt medical attention as they can result in significant health consequences if left untreated. Dr. Kunaal Shinde helped thousands of women who have been through an ectopic pregnancy conceive healthy, viable pregnancies through mild. he is the Best Gyneac Cancer Specialist in Pune. and providing the best Services in nearby areas.

What is an ectopic pregnancy?

During a typical pregnancy, an egg is fertilized in the fallopian tube before traveling to the uterus where it implants and develops into a baby. The term ectopic pregnancy describes any pregnancy that implants outside of the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies can happen in a variety of places in the body, including:

Tubal Pregnancy: The most common form, where the pregnancy occurs in the fallopian tube.
Ovarian Pregnancy: A rare occurrence where the egg implants on the ovary.
Abdominal Pregnancy: Another rare condition, where the egg implants in the abdomen.
Cervical Pregnancy: Here, the egg implants in the cervix.

Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy:

Understanding the signs and symptoms can be a real game-changer. Here are some common symptoms that may point to an ectopic pregnancy:

Severe abdominal pain
Vaginal bleeding
Nausea and vomiting
Weakness and dizziness
Shoulder pain

Severe symptoms of ectopic Pregnancy typically develop close to the sixth week of one’s Pregnancy, but it varies. This is almost two weeks after a missed period if you have a regular period cycle. However, these symptoms may develop at any time between four and ten weeks of one’s Pregnancy.

What causes an ectopic pregnancies?

Another important part of learning what is ectopic pregnancy is to learn who is at risk of having an ectopic pregnancy. This helps people avoid such conditions and can proceed with caution.

Previous history of ectopic pregnancy- People who have had a previous experience with ectopic pregnancy are more likely to have another.
Inflammation or infection- Sexually transmitted infections for eg. gonorrhea or chlamydia may increase the risk of having ectopic pregnancies.
Surgery in the fallopian tubes- If you have had a surgical correction procedure for complications like damaged or closed fallopian tubes, then it can increase the risk of this medical condition.
Birth control- Tubal ligation, a type of birth control procedure can be one of the causes of an ectopic pregnancy.
Smoking- Cigarette smoking before getting pregnant is one of the causes of ectopic pregnancy as it affects the inner lining of the fallopian tubes.
Reproductive health condition- Endometriosis, and fibroid tumors, can disrupt egg transportation, which can also cause an ectopic pregnancy.

Diagnosing an ectopic pregnancy?

Dr. Shinde suggested you may have to have additional tests to confirm the diagnosis. These tests could include:

Pregnancy test: If you have not already taken a pregnancy test, your gynecologist will ask you to take one to confirm that you are pregnant.
Vaginal ultrasound scan: This often allows medical staff to see the location of a pregnancy, as a gestational sac will be visible either inside or outside of the uterus. Occasionally, the location of the pregnancy may be hard to see. This is called a pregnancy of an unknown location.
HCG blood tests: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone that is typically only released during pregnancy. During an ectopic pregnancy, hCG levels tend to be lower and rise more slowly than during a pregnancy that has implanted in the uterus. Medical staff can monitor hCG levels every few days to help determine whether a pregnancy is ectopic.
Laparoscopic surgery: Occasionally, it may be necessary to perform keyhole surgery to confirm an ectopic pregnancy. A surgeon will check the reproductive system and if an ectopic pregnancy is found, it will be removed during the operation.

Treatment of Ectopic Pregnancy:

At Love Your Belly, we use state-of-the-art techniques for ectopic pregnancy treatment. The course of action might include:

Medication: The doctor may decide the case of an ectopic pregnancy would not have any immediate effects. If detected early, an injectable medicine called methotrexate can stop the egg from growing.
Surgery: If the ectopic pregnancy is causing severe symptoms or is detected late, surgery might be necessary to remove the ectopic tissue.

So, to get a complete understanding of what is ectopic pregnancy, the most important takeaway is to be aware of all the symptoms. It begins with a missed period like all other pregnancies, however, to be safe if you notice anything abnormal, do visit a Fertility Specialist or Ectopic pregnancy treatment in Pune like Dr Kunnal Shinde immediately. If you’re looking to find out more about the treatment we do, get in touch with our team today.