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Ectopic Pregnancy may become a quite a severe complication of Pregnancy. When the egg following Fertilization becomes attached to an area other than the Uterine wall.

Fallopian tubes are the most common location for ectopic pregnancy. Other areas include: Cervix, Ovaries, abdomen and others.

Damage of other organs and tissues arise from the implantation and initial development of the fetus.

This is considered a medical emergency and without treatment – can potentially dangerous for the mother.

1/2 of ectopic pregnancies resolve without serious complications. It is believed that an ectopic pregnancy occurs in approximately 1 out of every 50 pregnancies.

All pregnancies that resolve result in a spontaneous abortions.

Symptoms:

–  Vaginal bleeding
–  Severe abdominal pain
–  Pain with urination
–  Pain with bowel movements
–  Belief of miscarriage
–  Severe Weakness, Dizziness, or Fainting

Causes:

–  Often no risk factor is known  –  [50%]
–  An infection or inflammation of the Fallopian tube that can cause complete or partial blockage.
–  Previous surgery in the area (pelvic, Fallopian tube, or other)
–  Abnormal growth or birth defect
–  Previous ectopic pregnancy

Risk Factors

–  Smoking
–  Tubal surgery
–  Tubal ligation
–  Endometrosis
–  Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
–  Infertility

Diagnosis

–  Ultrasound is an essential for diagnosis
–  Blood work may show an abnormal rise in Beta hCG levels
–  If pregnancy is suspected but unknown if ectopic pregnancy is possible, a vaginal ultrasound will show the presences or lack of intrauterine pregnancy.

Possible Types or Locations of Ectopic Pregnancies

1.)  Fallopian Tube –  occurs in 95% and above

2.)  Nontubal ectopic pregnancy –  occurs in around 2% of pregnancies

–  Occurs in abdomen, ovaries or cervix
–  In rare cases a live baby may be delivered by laprascopy

3.)  Heterotopic pregnancy

–  Occurs with two fertilized eggs
–  One is within the uterus and the other is ectopic
–  hCG levels may continue to rise after the treatment of the ectopic pregnancy

Treatment:

Medication

.   Methotrexate

–  This medication allows the body to absorb the pregnancy tissue
–  It can help save the Fallopian Tube
–  Use of this medication will depend on how far along the pregnancy is.

Surgical

–  Removal of the pregnancy alone
–  Removal of fallopian tube along with pregnancy