Did you know that every pregnancy begins outside the womb. In a normal pregnancy, the egg released from the ovary enters the fallopian tubes, fertilizes and moves to the uterine cavity where it implants in the endometrium.
When this process is disturbed and the fertilized egg begins to develop in an atypical place, outside the uterine cavity, we talk about ectopic pregnancy.
Types of ectopic pregnancy:
Ectopic pregnancies are divided into 4 main types, depending on where the fertilized egg is implanted. Here are the four types:
- Tubal pregnancy - it is the most common, about 95-97%. It is so called because the fertilized egg develops in the fallopian tube. At the very beginning, the woman is in good general condition, there are signs of pregnancy, but she is also experiencing colicky pain, low down in the abdomen, due to the tube being stretched. The uterus may be smaller in size throughout the pregnancy; there is no bleeding.
- Ovarian pregnancy - it is rare, up to 3% of cases of ectopic pregnancy. In it, the egg is fertilized and begins to develop in the ovary. In ovarian pregnancy, along with abdominal pain, a slight spotting bleeding is observed, and also a deterioration of the general condition is present - an increase in temperature, nausea, headache.
- Abdominal pregnancy - even less common, 1-2%. In it, the fertilized egg is implanted in the abdominal cavity - on the peritoneum, on the uterus, on the omentum. Abdominal pregnancy can be primary or secondary.
– In primary abdominal pregnancy, the fertilized egg begins its development directly in the abdominal cavity.
– In secondary abdominal pregnancy - The fertilized egg develops in the fallopian tube, causing it to rupture, and falls into the abdominal cavity. Symptoms are also nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain that is not acute. There may also be bleeding. - Cervical pregnancy - it is the least common ectopic pregnancy - 0.1% of cases. In it, the fertilized egg implants and begins its development in the lining of the cervix. In cervical ectopic pregnancy, there is bleeding, but no pain syndrome.
Causes of the development of ectopic pregnancy:
The causes of the development of ectopic pregnancy are diverse in nature. The main ones are:
- Previous infections and inflammatory diseases of the fallopian tubes, or the organs of the pelvis, leading to adhesions and deformities and preventing the normal movement of the fertilized egg.
- Prevention of pregnancy with intrauterine devices - they are very effective, but if pregnancy occurs, it is very often ectopic.
- Endometriosis - when the inner layer of the uterus is located on the organs of the small pelvis.
- Tumors of the organs in the pelvis.
- Past surgical interventions in the pelvic region.
- Congenital deformities of the reproductive organs.
- Previous ectopic pregnancy.
- Hormonal disturbances - when estrogen and progesterone levels are high, this causes the fertilized egg to move more slowly.
- With advancing age /after 35/ the risk of ectopic pregnancy increases.
Diagnosing ectopic pregnancy:
Diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy is important to make as early as possible, because of the danger of complications threatening the life of the woman. If pregnancy is suspected and the above risk factors are present, seek specialist help. Ectopic pregnancy can be confused with conditions that have the same symptoms, namely these are: normal pregnancy, acute inflammation of the fallopian tubes, threatening uterine abortion, acute appendicitis.
The diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy is made starting with a woman's detailed history of missing menses and accompanying complaints. A pregnancy test and a human chorionic gonadotropic hormone (hCG) test are performed, as this hormone rises more slowly in ectopic pregnancy. A clinical and ultrasonographic examination of the woman is performed and if the diagnosis is still unclear, a laparoscopy is proceeded with to examine the inside of the abdominal cavity.
Treatment:
The treatment of ectopic pregnancy depends on the condition of the patient and the site where the fertilized egg has implanted.
If diagnosed early, treatment may be medical. The drug Methotrexate is used, as it is injected into the embryo and destroys it. With the use of Methotrexate, besides preserving the fallopian tube, the risk of a subsequent ectopic pregnancy is lower. Apart from medication, the treatment of ectopic pregnancy is surgical. Laparoscopy can evolve from diagnostic to curative to remove the amniotic sac and reconstruct the fallopian tube if its integrity is compromised. In abdominal ectopic pregnancy, laparotomy is done and in cervical pregnancy, hysterectomy is done.
The diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy is not something harmless, but at the same time, its occurrence does not mean that a woman will not be able to have a normal pregnancy after that. Early diagnosis and treatment is of great importance.
To prevent ectopic pregnancy, it is necessary to conduct regular preventive examinations and examinations, timely treatment of inflammatory processes and sexually transmitted diseases, reduce risk factors.
For more information, we at Medical Karaj are at your service.
Call us on the following numbers "Medical Karaj": 0879 977 401 or 0879 977 402.
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