Ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening condition that requires emergency treatment. It predominantly occurs when the embryo implants in one of the fallopian tubes instead of the uterus. Rarely, the embryo can attach to an ovary or other abdominal organs. An ectopic pregnancy is usually discovered by the 8th week of pregnancy because the developing embryo usually has only a limited space to grow before it starts to distort or damage structures which are not able to support it. 

How common is ectopic pregnancy? An ectopic pregnancy is estimated to occur in up to one out of every 80 pregnancies.

What are the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy? Common symptoms include:

·                     Light vaginal bleeding

·                     Nausea and vomiting

·                     Lower abdominal pain

·                     Sharp abdominal cramps

·                     Pain on one side of the body

·                     Dizziness or weakness

·                     Pain in the shoulder, neck, or rectum

If the fallopian tube ruptures, the pain and bleeding could be severe enough to cause fainting and occasionally may even be rapidly fatal.

If you are experiencing the symptoms listed above, seek medical advice straight away or go to accident and emergency. Getting to the hospital quickly is important to reduce the risk of haemorrhaging (severe bleeding) and to help preserve your fertility.

What causes an ectopic pregnancy? If one of the fallopian tubes is damaged, it may not allow the fertilised egg to pass to the uterus causing the egg to implant in the fallopian tube or elsewhere.

What are the risk factors for ectopic pregnancy? Risk factors for ectopic pregnancy include:

·                     Use of an intrauterine device (IUD), a form of birth control, at the time of conception.

·                     History of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

·                     Sexually-transmitted infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhea.

·                     Congenital abnormality (problem present at birth) of the fallopian tube.

·                     History of pelvic surgery (since scarring may block the fertilised egg from leaving the fallopian tube).

·                     History of ectopic pregnancy.

·                     Unsuccessful tubal ligation (surgical sterilisation) or tubal ligation reversal.

·                     Fertility drugs.

·                     Infertility treatments such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

How is an ectopic pregnancy diagnosed? Once you arrive at the hospital, a pregnancy test, a pelvic examination, and an ultrasound test may be performed to view the condition of the uterus and fallopian tubes.

If an ectopic pregnancy has been confirmed, the doctor will decide on the best treatment based on your medical condition and your future plans for pregnancy.