 | ||
|
| |    Ectopic Pregnancy (Tubal Pregnancy) by Elisa Ross, MD reviewed by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. Simply defined, an ectopic pregnancy is one in which the fertilized egg does not make its way all the way to the uterus, but comes to rest in one of the fallopian tubes. The fallopian tubes are the passageways that connect the ovaries to the uterus. They are not as stretchable as the uterus and are not able to provide the nutrients necessary to maintain a pregnancy. When an egg mistakenly implants in one of these tubes, it typically results in a miscarriage, and in some cases, a breaking of the tube (called a ruptured ectopic). Ectopic pregnancies often cause pain, and in some cases internal bleeding. Most of the time, a tubal pregnancy can be diagnosed and treated before it becomes serious. Risk factors Certain conditions in a person's past can increase the chance for an ectopic pregnancy. In general, about 1 out of 100 pregnancies is outside of the uterus. It is more frequent in women who have had prior ectopic pregnancies, or who have had damage to their fallopian tubes. Tubes can be scarred by infection, surgery, or endometriosis. Common infections that can cause damage include gonorrhea, chlamydia, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Other infections, such as herpes, HPV (warts), HIV, and syphilis, are not thought to cause tubal damage. Women who become pregnant while they have an IUD in place also have an increased chance for ectopic pregnancy, as do women undergoing fertility treatments. Signs of a possible tubal pregnancy In the very early stages, a tubal pregnancy has no distinct symptoms, and cannot be reliably diagnosed. As the pregnancy progresses, the most common signs are vaginal bleeding and lower abdominal pain. Sometimes pain occurs without any bleeding, and sometimes there is bleeding without much pain. But before assuming the worst, you should realize that pain and bleeding are found in many normal pregnancies, as well as in some that are destined to miscarry. If you have missed a period or think that you are pregnant, report any pain or bleeding to your practitioner. Diagnosing ectopic pregnancy It may be difficult to tell if a pregnancy is truly in the fallopian tube, rather than in the uterus. But diagnosis is crucial, since an unrecognized ectopic can lead to serious complications. A combination of a physical examination and ultrasound and blood tests is generally helpful in assessing the situation. If you have any doubts or concerns, you should not hesitate to discuss them with your healthcare provider. Future fertility While it is possible for women who have had an ectopic pregnancy to conceive and carry a pregnancy in their uterus, the unfortunate reality is that the chance of infertility or a repeat ectopic is considerable. In many instances in which a woman has had an ectopic pregnancy, especially if the fallopian tubes appeared damaged, a consultation with a fertility specialist may be of great benefit.
| |  | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| About Us |
Contact Us |
Our Partners Privacy Policy | Ethics | Advertising Policy | Terms of Service © Copyright 2004 The Dr. Spock Company. All Rights Reserved. THIS SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. The information drSpock.com
provides is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for
professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your health care
professional if you have a specific health concern. Mention or advertisement
of any product, service, or brand does not constitute endorsement, guarantee,
or recommendation by The Dr. Spock Company. Please read our full
Terms of Service. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
