What Is An Ectopic Pregnancy Also Know As Tubal Pregnancy

What is ectopic pregnancy? The term ‘ectopic’ literally goes to mean ‘out of place’. While the pregnancy itself starts off in the regular fashion as a normal pregnancy, the difference with an ectopic pregnancy is that the zygote or the fertilized egg implants itself outside the uterus, not inside is, as is the regular case.

Where an ectopic pregnancy can occur

An ectopic pregnancy usually occurs in the fallopian tubes. Such pregnancies are referred to as ‘tubal’ pregnancies. There are other types of ectopic pregnancies too. Sometimes, the zygote implants itself in the ovaries, cervix or the abdomen. If this is the case, the ectopic pregnancy is called an ovarian, cervical or abdominal pregnancy, as the case might be.

Complications of an ectopic pregnancy

The whole problem with an ectopic pregnancy is that this is not a natural occurrence. Hence the zygote cannot be nurtured in the protective womb, as in a normal pregnancy. The zygote, however, continues to grow, till it is left no more space to expand. Ultimately, it will end up rupturing the organ that it chose to implant itself in. This can lead to immense complications in the mother, resulting in severe pain and bleeding, probably even endangering her own life!

An ectopic pregnancy is dangerous for the growing fetus too, as it cannot survive without its mother’s natural nourishment. Hence it will not survive for long either.

How an ectopic pregnancy occurs

This type of pregnancy occurs due to the incapacity of the egg to travel down the fallopian tubes into the uterus. Inflammatory disease of the pelvis (PID) is the most common cause of this condition. The presence of endometriosis or abdominal or fallopian scar tissue could also give rise to an ectopic pregnancy.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of ectopic pregnancy are more or less the same as a normal pregnancy. Only, in this case, the mother-to-be additionally suffers from extreme pain in the pelvis, abdomen and lower back, sometimes even in the neck and shoulder regions.

Tests to confirm an ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancies are usually diagnosed in the early stages with the help of urine or blood tests. These tests are fairly accurate, even at an early stage in the pregnancy. If the pregnancy test results are positive but there is no significant rise in the HCG hormone, an ectopic pregnancy is immediately suspected. The HCG hormone is produced by the placenta and this amount usually shoots up rapidly during the first two months of a normal pregnancy, almost doubling in amount each day.

Sometimes, an ultrasound test can also effectively detect an ectopic pregnancy. But this might not be so in all the cases. A test called ‘Culdocentesis’ checks to find signs of internal bleeding, which could be caused by a ruptured ectopic pregnancy.

Treatment for ectopic pregnancy

The treatment for ectopic pregnancies varies from case to case. In case it is caught early enough, the egg can easily be medically dissolved, so that it is reabsorbed by the body. If in case the symptoms of ectopic pregnancy show up late, the fetus is removed surgically.

A woman who has experienced an ectopic pregnancy might stand poorer chances of conceiving. It all really depends on the extent of damage caused by the ectopic pregnancy.

Article Source: http://www.articlemonk.com

Melissa Fox is a health professional very interested in Ectopic Pregnancy. She enjoys writing inspirational articles for Real Living.
Visit her website to learn more about Early Signs of Pregnancy.

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