According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately 20 out of 1,000 pregnancies are ectopic. Although there is no specific reason why ectopic pregnancies occur, the general cause is based around the egg being prevented from traveling to the uterus. As a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention, any signs of an ectopic pregnancy should warrant an immediate trip to the emergency room or your physician.
Definition
An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilized egg attaches somewhere other than the uterus, such as the fallopian tubes. In a normal pregnancy, the egg is fertilized inside the fallopian tubes and then travels down to the uterus. Once in the uterus, the egg attaches to the lining of the uterus and remains through development until delivery.
Signs
Signs of an ectopic pregnancy start just like a normal pregnancy: swollen breasts, missed period, nausea and water retention. If the ectopic pregnancy is located in the fallopian tube, the embryo will continue to grow if left attached. Eventually the embryo will become too large for the fallopian tube and will cause the tube to rupture. Signs of the fallopian tube rupturing include sharp pain in one side of the lower abdominal region, vomiting and light bleeding.
Complications
For an ectopic pregnancy in one of the fallopian tubes, a miscarriage is certain. Outside the loss of a pregnancy, an ectopic pregnancy can cause infertility and the loss of one or more reproductive organs. In severe cases, an ectopic pregnancy can lead to hemorrhaging and even death.
Treatment
If an ectopic pregnancy is detected early, an injection of methotrexate may be given. This medication stops cell growth and triggers the body to absorb the remaining embryonic tissue.
If a pregnancy is further along or the medication methotrexate does not work, surgery is required. Surgery is mostly preformed by a laparoscopic method; however, in a more advanced situation such as a ruptured fallopian tube, invasive surgery is required.
Warning
Seek medical attention if you have any unusual pain or bleeding. An ectopic pregnancy is a serious condition that should be treated immediately by your physician to reduce the risk of complications.
