Ectopic pregnancy: causes, symptoms, treatment

Pregnancy is almost always a positive and cheerful event. Why almost? Because it is not always normal. An ectopic pregnancy - why it occurs and what can serve as a provocateur for its occurrence, how a subsequent pregnancy proceeds after an ectopic one - we’ll talk about all this today.

In general, ectopic pregnancy is a rather rare occurrence and, according to statistics, about 4% of the total number of women have this pathology. However, in the modern world the number of victims of it is steadily growing. An ectopic pregnancy is very dangerous, so if you experience the slightest symptoms of its occurrence, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Causes of ectopic pregnancy

The causes of ectopic pregnancy can be:

• Previous or chronic diseases of the uterus, as well as its appendages, bladder. Inflammatory processes occurring in the tubes and ovaries, which are usually a consequence of abortion and difficult childbirth. They can cause pipes to weld together, making them impassable.
• Any surgical intervention related to the uterus and its appendages can subsequently cause an ectopic pregnancy.
• Underdeveloped tubes that are congenital. They cannot function fully, having too much tortuosity, which becomes a serious obstacle to the passage of the egg.
• Hormonal disruptions in the body can contribute to the narrowing of the tubes and the transformation of the prestaly. As a rule, this is due to problems in the endocrine system. Some experts are of the opinion that this situation can occur due to the use of hormonal drugs, including contraception (OCs and IUDs).
• Tumors, both benign and malignant, disrupt the patency of the tubes.

Ultimately, the egg fertilized by the sperm continues its development, but due to the inability to reach the uterus, it is attached to the ovary, cervix, abdominal cavity, or horn. The situation when the egg “clings” to the fallopian tube is called tubal and occurs most often.

The lumen in the uterine tubes is only a few millimeters, sometimes 1.5 cm. They are very thin and delicate, not designed to stretch, unlike the uterus. When the fetus begins to grow, the tube begins to stretch along with it, which leads to its rupture. This is accompanied by severe abdominal hemorrhage. At the physical level, this is expressed by severe dizziness, acute pain, lightheadedness and, often, complete loss of consciousness. In this case, it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance in order to avoid serious blood loss. Delay in providing assistance will inevitably lead to the death of the victim.  

But an ectopic pregnancy does not always end this way. For example, a fertilized egg may be released into the abdominal cavity. According to physical sensations, this will cause the same feeling of lightheadedness, headache, low blood pressure, and spotting. Tubal abortion does not carry such serious consequences as ruptures, but if you do not seek help, it will increase the risk of developing purulent inflammation in the peritoneum.

Signs of an ectopic pregnancy

Let's start with the fact that any pain in the lower abdomen should cause concern, since this is the main symptom in the initial stages. As a rule, pain is felt only on one side, where the affected tube is located. However, if pregnancy occurs in the cervix, then the pain will come from the middle of the abdomen. Painful sensations intensify during physical activity, any change in body position, or when turning the body. The timing at which symptoms may occur directly depends on the location of the fetus.

When developing in the area of ​​the widest, ampulla zone of the tube, pain does not bother you until the 8th week. When placed in the narrowest place, pregnancy makes itself felt at 5-6 weeks.   If the egg is implanted in the ovaries or abdominal cavity, then the condition will seem normal up to 14 weeks.

In some cases, blood loss during cervical pregnancy can pose a serious danger to the victim, which will lead to the need to remove the entire uterus. Fortunately, this type of ectopic pregnancy is very rare.

Unlike a normal pregnancy, an ectopic pregnancy is characterized by reduced hormone production. It is impossible to determine the level of increased hormones on your own. Therefore, if you suspect an ectopic pregnancy, you should consult a doctor and take a hCG test. Any deviation from the norm, as with normal fertilization, will be a reason for the doctor to be concerned about the patient’s condition.

But the surest way to determine an ectopic pregnancy is still an ultrasound examination. However, even with its help it is very difficult to detect a fertilized egg if it ends up in the appendages or abdominal cavity. Detecting an ectopic pregnancy with a regular test is problematic, and a little later we will tell you why. However, the totality of signs is already a reason for a full examination.

In general, even if there is the slightest suspicion of an ectopic pregnancy, it is advisable to do an ultrasound as early as 3-4 weeks.

Early ectopic pregnancy

In the early stages, ectopic pregnancy manifests itself in the form of bloody discharge from the vagina.  Copious bleeding at an early stage may indicate the onset of cervical pregnancy. This is explained by the fact that “adhesion” occurs in a place where there are a large number of blood vessels.

In general, it is very difficult to independently determine an ectopic pregnancy in the early stages. Apart from primitive signals, which can occur even in a healthy state, there are no identifying marks. And obvious signs appear already in critical circumstances, when urgent surgical intervention by doctors is required. That is why ectopic pregnancy is considered very dangerous.

Do you get your period during an ectopic pregnancy?

With an ectopic pregnancy, menstruation does not occur. Many people mistake them for pseudomenstruation, which manifests itself in light bleeding already in the first week. Monitor your cycle and the volume of blood released, then you can easily identify any changes.

Also, a distinctive feature of false menses can be called changes in their color and consistency. In this case, the discharge is darker and has the consistency of coffee grounds. However, if the fertilized egg is fixed in the place of accumulation of blood vessels, then the “menstruation” will be very heavy.

Does the test show an ectopic pregnancy?

It is difficult to give a definite answer to this question. All pregnancy detection tests work on the principle of detecting the hCG hormone. The latter begins to be released both during normal and ectopic pregnancy. But in the latter case, the increase in the hormone occurs with a delay of 1-2 weeks.

Therefore, if there is a delay of several days, the test will not detect an ectopic pregnancy and will show a negative result. At best, at an early stage the second test strip will appear very weakly, barely noticeable.

Treatment of ectopic pregnancy

Treatment, or rather elimination of ectopic pregnancy, occurs exclusively through surgery. At the time of the operation, the doctor, without cutting the fallopian tube, removes the fertilized egg. Depending on the severity of the case, the pipe can be partially or completely removed. It all depends on how long the egg has been developing in the “fixed” place and how badly the walls of the pipe have been damaged.

Modern medicine makes it possible to completely restore organs and their functions after surgical intervention. However, this requires timely seeking help from specialists in the early stages. For example, if 5-10 years ago the pipe was completely removed, now such a radical path is practically not used.

The operations take place both in the classical way, by making an incision in the anterior abdominal cavity, and in a more “cosmetic” way. The latter option is achieved through the use of microtools. The doctor monitors the process inside the patient through a monitor on which everything that happens is broadcast. This innovative approach minimizes the risk of serious damage to internal organs and complications that could lead to recurrence of an ectopic pregnancy.

In severe, advanced cases, treatment is not limited to surgery. It is necessary to undergo the administration of a special intravenous solution using a dropper. A blood transfusion may be required if there is excessive blood loss. Positive recovery in the postoperative period largely depends on how well the rehabilitation goes. This also includes treatment of diseases that led to the occurrence of an ectopic pregnancy.

By the way, treatment may be required for both partners, since VD can occur due to weak sperm. In general, doctors give positive results in this regard.

Pregnancy after ectopic

Many women, after suffering stress in the form of the loss of a child, are concerned with the question of what are the chances of having a new pregnancy and how great is the risk of relapse. Everything is largely individual, but one thing can be said with confidence: there are chances, just some have more, some have less.

If during an operation the doctor, in order to save the life of a pregnant woman, had to remove the uterus completely, then this, naturally, is a clear sign of an impossible subsequent pregnancy. But if the tube is removed, even completely, then there is every chance of conceiving a baby, because the second one remains intact.

However, the older the woman, the less likely she is to have another normal pregnancy. Before the age of 30, the probability is higher, but after 35, even with a previously healthy body, there is a risk of ectopic conception.

If you become pregnant again, you should be constantly examined by a doctor, since the reproductive organs, although they are recovering after surgery, can fail at any time.

One final piece of advice: always keep a calendar to track your periods. Using them you can determine the start and end date and calculate the cycle. Doctors complain that the majority of patients simply do not remember any dates, which is why they cannot distinguish bleeding from ordinary critical days.

Treat your body with special sensuality and attentiveness, and you will enjoy the happiness of motherhood!