An ectopic pregnancy, also known as a tubal pregnancy happens when a fertile egg grows outside the uterus. In most ectopic pregnancies, the egg attaches itself to the fallopian tube. In rare cases, it can also attach itself to the cervix or abdominal cavity. This type of pregnancy is a medical emergency because it can cause infection, internal bleeding, and even death in some cases. Proper and prompt treatment is required to prevent any future complications.
Signs of Ectopic Pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy shows up on a home pregnancy test, just like a normal pregnancy, and can confuse you. The signs of an ectopic pregnancy can be similar to a regular pregnancy however, they also include:
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Severe abdominal cramps
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Weakness
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Feeling dizzy
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Shoulder, neck, or rectum pain
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Pain on one side of the body
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Vaginal bleeding or discharge
If the pregnancy test is positive and you have the above symptoms, the best approach is to consult a Gynecologist in Lahore.
Causes and Risk factors of ectopic pregnancy:
It’s hard to pinpoint the exact cause behind the ectopic or tubal pregnancy. Fallopian tube damage is one of the major causes of this pregnancy. Additionally, hormonal factors, genetic abnormalities, and inflammation in the fallopian tubes can be probable causes for it as well.
Other factors that increase the likelihood of ectopic pregnancy in women include:
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Age of 35 years or above
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Pelvic Inflammatory disease
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Sexually transmitted infections
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Smoking
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Fertility treatments such as IVF
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Fertility drugs
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Scarring in the pelvis post-surgery
Treatment of ectopic pregnancy
Even with the positive pregnancy test, an ectopic pregnancy is not viable. It needs proper treatment so that the embryo doesn’t enlarge and cause further complications. The treatment options available are:
Expectant Management
This pregnancy is likely to dissolve by itself if the symptoms aren’t severe or if the egg is still tiny or non-existent. This method involves close monitoring through blood tests, and your doctor will be able to guide you on what to do if the symptoms get worse. If you experience unusual symptoms, immediately consult the Best Gynecologist in Karachi or the one who’s already treating you as it can lead to internal bleeding and other complications.
Medicine
Early detection makes expectant management the best course of treatment, but it might not be a possible treatment option in some cases. In such instances, medicine is the next best option, and your doctor will prescribe you methotrexate that halts the growth of the cells.
Surgery
If both options above are not workable, you will have to get a Laparotomy done. In this surgery, the doctor will remove the embryo and fix the damage to the fallopian tubes. If the surgery fails, your doctor may need to repeat it. Moreover, if the damage to the fallopian tube is irreparable, the surgeon may need to remove your fallopian tubes. Vaginal bleeding and blood clots can occur after surgery as well. Post-operation care is a must for completely healing the damage done.
Preventing an Ectopic Pregnancy
Since the cause of an ectopic pregnancy is hard to identify, so is preventing it. Eliminating multiple sexual partners and using condoms can help prevent this kind of pregnancy in addition to sexually transmitted diseases and infections. Quitting smoking also lowers the risk of having a tubal or ectopic pregnancy. Visiting a gynecologist regularly can help with early detection as well.
