Know about Ectopic Pregnancy: A life threatening condition

Ectopic pregnancy is the leading cause of pregnancy-related death. It is a rare condition in which an embryo is formed outside the normal uterine cavity. Normally, ovary releases an egg into the fallopian tube, where it is fertilised when a sperm fuses with an egg. After that, the fertilised egg moves to the uterus attaching itself to the lining. Here it grows for the next nine months. But in rare cases, the fertilised egg stays in the fallopian tube. In that case it is known as Ectopic pregnancy or tubal pregnancy. Such pregnancy needs to be terminated immediately. 

It happens usually within the first few weeks of pregnancy. You might not even come to know that you’re pregnancy. Doctor usually detect the ectopic pregnancy by eight week. A damaged fallopian tube can be the cause behind ectopic pregnancy. The damaged tube doesn’t let the fertilised egg move to the uterus, so it starts growing somewhere else in the abdomen. 

Also Read: Using paracetamol during pregnancy? Here's how it affects your male child's fertility and sex drive

Abortion pills are available these days very easily. But before using these pills, make sure that your pregnancy is not ectopic. It can be life threatening. This is even more critical when unmarried pregnant girls take the pill secretly. Consult a doctor before taking abortion pills. 

Dr Archana Dhawan Bajaj, gynaecologist and obstetrician, Nurture IVF Centre, explains ,"Early detection is the only solution for prevention of risk. The early symptoms of ectopic pregnancy are- pelvic or belly pain, light vaginal bleeding, nausea and vomiting, lower abdominal pain, sharp abdominal cramps, pain on one side of body, dizziness or weakness, pain in your shoulder, neck, or rectum. If the fallopian tube ruptures, the pain and bleeding could be severe enough to cause fainting."

"Sometimes you may not have any symptom; in that condition your routine early pregnancy ultrasound may show an ectopic pregnancy. In any situation of doubt an ultrasound and blood test for serum Beta HCG helps in diagnosis," she added.

Also Read: 6 ways to keep your weight in check during pregnancy

Dr Archana also explains "many times when it is left undiagnosed and allowed to go beyond six weeks the pregnancy leads to rupture of the fallopian tube leading to bleeding inside the abdomen along with severe pain, leading to shock and the woman can collapse."

Adding, "This is an emergency situation as woman needs urgent surgery to stop the bleeding and would also require blood transfusion. If managed in time the patient recovers well although her ruptured fallopian tube might have to be removed."

If there is a rupture, surgery is done to stop blood loss and remove the pregnancy. After treatment for an ectopic pregnancy, patient usually have to have additional blood tests to make sure that the entire tubal pregnancy was removed. The blood tests detect the HCG level, the hormone that is produced during pregnancy.

Timely treatment of ectopic pregnancy helps in securing fertility. After ectopic pregnancy, there is good chance of normal pregnancy in the future, but it could be challenging conceiving again. This difficulty is more common in women who also had fertility problems before the ectopic pregnancy.

Your prognosis depends on your fertility before the ectopic pregnancy, as well as the extent of any damage incurred. The chances of having another ectopic pregnancy are approximately 15 percent. So if you are pregnant and have any concerns about the pregnancy consult your gynae as it is important to make sure that it's detected early.

Pregnancy is a joyful journey however one has to cautious at every semester. Every symptom must be taken very seriously and immediate consultation to be sorted from a doctor. Similarly, early detection and awareness about Ectopic pregnancy is the only solution to prevent its risk. 

(With ANI Inputs) 

To read more related news, visit the Health section under Lifestyle