An Ectopic Pregnancy

What's An Ectopic pregnancy?

Upon fertilization in the Fallopian tube, nature has it that the fertilized egg will make its way to the womb to be attached to the enriched uterine lining. During the nine-month gestation period, the fertilized egg will then grow and develop from an embryo into a baby in the mother's womb.

However, there are times when the fertilized egg does not get implanted in the womb. An ectopic pregnancy ensues when gestation happens outside the womb.

This type of pregnancy happens one in three hundred conceptions. If a woman has had it before, she's likely to get it again. The risk is also high in women who conceive with a contraceptive coil in place.

In the very early stage of this pregnancy, the expectant mom won't be able to tell that her egg is growing in her Fallopian tube instead of her womb. The earliest symptom is pain. This is when the growing ectopic egg that's developing in the tube ruptures the surrounding tissues and causes pain. Only then will the expectant mom sense that something is wrong with her pregnancy.

Ectopic Pregnancy Symptoms

• It may start off with a missed period or a very scanty and brief prior period.

• Some early signs of pregnancy like nausea and breast tenderness may show up.

• Then, a persistent pain develops in the lower left or right abdomen (if there's a central pain, it may be a miscarriage instead).

• The examining doctor will find the cervix very sensitive to gentle movement.

• If and when the Fallopian tube ruptures, there'll be sudden severe abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. The pain can be so unbearable that the mother may collapse.

Ectopic Pregnancy Treatment

An emergency surgery will be performed to remove the ectopic egg and repair the Fallopian tube. If the tube can't be salvaged, it'll have to be removed too. The patient can still conceive with the remaining Fallopian tube.

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