An abdominal pregnancy is a type of ectopic pregnancy, which means that the embryo has implanted somewhere outside the uterus. Abdominal pregnancies occur infrequently, unlike tubal pregnancies, with the embryo implanting in the fallopian tube. In an abdominal pregnancy, the embryo implants in the abdomen itself, usually attaching to the intestines, which offer an adequate blood supply needed for the placenta. Fetal death occurs in 40 to 95 percent of cases, TheFetus.net reports. Signs of abdominal pregnancy may differ little from those of a uterine pregnancy, making diagnosis difficult without magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI.
Abdominal Pain
Two types of abdominal pregnancy occur: primary and secondary. In secondary attachment, the more common type, the fetus starts growing in the fallopian tube or ovary. The tube or ovary has a small rupture, and the embryo escapes into the abdominal cavity and implants there. In primary attachments, the embryo implants directly into the abdominal cavity, an extremely rare occurrence. In secondary abdominal pregnancy, pain similar to that experienced in tubal pregnancy occurs as the tube ruptures, TheFetus.net states. Poorly localized abdominal pain may increase around 26 to 28 weeks of pregnancy, if the fetus continues to grow, according to the University of Bonn.
Bleeding
Bleeding may occur in the first trimester in secondary abdominal pregnancy as the fallopian tube ruptures. Bleeding that occurs before delivery may accumulate in the abdominal cavity, causing abdominal pain and paleness. Massive bleeding may occur at the time of delivery with removal of the placenta from its abnormal implantation site. Maternal death rate ranges from 0.5 to 18 percent from massive hemorrhage, Dr. Farhat states in the June 2006 issue of "Professional Medical Journal."
Abnormal Fetal Movements
Fetal movements may seem more pronounced than normal and more painful, since there's no buffer between the fetus and nearby organs. The fetus is also more likely to be lying in a transverse, or sideways, position across the abdomen, or in an oblique position, so fetal movements may be felt in unexpected areas, the University of Bonn explains.
