Ectopic pregnancy or ectopic pregnancy is a condition in which a fertilized egg attaches somewhere outside the uterine cavity, in a trumpet. The prevalence of ectopic pregnancy is about 2% of all pregnancies.
What is the difference between it and normal pregnancy?
In a normal pregnancy, the ovary releases the egg into the fallopian tube. If the egg meets a sperm, then the fertilized egg moves into the womb and will continue to grow over the next nine months. But in one case out of 50 pregnancies, the fertilized egg remains in the trumpet. This condition is called: ectopic pregnancy. In rare cases, the fertilized egg attaches to one of the ovaries or other organs inside the abdomen. Ectopic pregnancy is an emergency that requires treatment, and may endanger the life of the mother.
Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy
The most common signs of ectopic pregnancy are
Delayed menstruation
Unusual vaginal bleeding (Vagina)
Pain in one of the lower abdomen
Weakness or even fainting (shock) as a result of blood loss
These symptoms may cause a woman of fertile age to suspect an ectopic pregnancy, until it is verified and proven that she is due to a different source, and it requires immediate medical treatment. In many cases, the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are not clear and unequivocal, with only part of them appearing with low levels of pain, which makes it difficult to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy.
Causes and risk factors for ectopic pregnancy
Essentially, the development of an ectopic pregnancy is due to trumpet damage that may be caused by infections (especially transmitted through sexual relations) or from previous surgeries.
Complications of ectopic pregnancy
The fate of an ectopic pregnancy cannot be expected. Sometimes, the fetus may grow until the trumpet is no longer able to contain it and then go out to the peritoneum cavity (Peritoneum), which may cause the trumpet wall to tear, and the bleeding inside the peritoneum can cause abdominal pain. Sometimes the pregnancy stops development and gets absorbed until it disappears completely.
When the diagnosis is confirmed by the presence of ectopic pregnancy, careful monitoring and follow-up should be prepared, given the risk of exacerbation of some of these cases, which may require surgical intervention. In easy cases, with a constant decrease in the level of the hormone, monitoring can be sufficient. After an ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy in the trumpet), the probability of a healthy pregnancy in the womb reaches 80% - 88%, while the likelihood of another ectopic pregnancy is 4.2 - 5%.
Diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy is diagnosed in the following ways
1- Examination of ultrasound imaging
Ultrasound imaging in the vagina and on the basis of repeated measurements of the level of the pregnancy hormone (directed at the human gonococcal glands - Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin - hCG) in the blood. With ultrasound imaging in the vagina, a pregnancy in the womb can be diagnosed, when the HCG value is greater than 1,500 mIU / ml. In this case, when the possibility of an intrauterine pregnancy is denied, the matter raises, in general, the suspicion of an ectopic pregnancy in the trumpet.
2- Examination of hormones
The discovery of a pregnancy in the trumpet and / or fluid (blood) in the peritoneum of the peritoneum supports this diagnosis. Progesterone levels are also lower in ectopic pregnancy, which is an additional indication that also supports the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy in the trumpet.
Treatment of ectopic pregnancy
Treatment for ectopic pregnancy is chosen according to the severity of the condition. If the pregnancy in the trumpet is accompanied by bleeding in the cavity of the peritoneum, or if the fetus in the trumpet together with a heartbeat and level (HCG) is more than 3,500 mIU / ml, then there is a need for surgical procedure with laparoscopy and removing the pregnancy from the trumpet Or eradication (salpingectomy). Methotrexate injection can be effective for women who have a small trumpet pregnancy, have a low level of HCG and have no bleeding in the abdomen.
Re-conceiving after an ectopic pregnancy
Most women who have had an ectopic pregnancy experience then undergo normal pregnancy and delivery, even if one of the entire horn is removed. As long as there is a single horn working, the load can be obtained. If the cause of an ectopic pregnancy is a treatable disease, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, then receiving treatment improves the chances of a successful and safe pregnancy in the future. Women who have had an ectopic pregnancy previously are advised to consult their physician about the recommended waiting time for them to try to conceive again. Some doctors recommend waiting for 3-6 months.
Women who undergo an abortion are advised to take some time to heal the body and soul. Above all, it is important for this woman to understand that this matter is related to circumstances beyond her control and that this is not her fault, in any way. Support groups can be used to overcome sadness and a sense of loss.
