An ectopic pregnancy can feel frightening. If this is your first pregnancy experience, you likely have some scary questions racing through your mind.
What are my treatment options? Am I going to be ok? Can the fetus survive an ectopic pregnancy?
At the Women's Center of Eastern Connecticut, our goal is to educate, empower, and support women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy, including ectopic pregnancies. In this blog, we’ll explain what an ectopic pregnancy is, the symptoms and warning signs, and how you can create a treatment plan!
What is an Ectopic Pregnancy?
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg is implanted somewhere outside of the uterus, such as the abdominal cavity, on an ovary, or in the fallopian tubes (also known as tubal ectopic pregnancy).[1]
An ectopic pregnancy can’t be carried to term, as the fertilized egg can’t survive outside of the uterus. For the pregnant woman, it is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate care.[2]
What are the Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy?
Initially, you may experience normal pregnancy symptoms, such as a missed period, nausea, or breast tenderness.[3] If you take a pregnancy test, it will be positive.[4] However, as the pregnancy progresses, the warning signs become clearer.
The early symptoms of ectopic pregnancy include[5]:
Vaginal bleeding
Pain in the lower abdomen, lower back, or pelvis
Weakness or dizziness
Contact your doctor right away if you experience[6]:
Shoulder pain (caused by blood leaking out of the fallopian tube)
Fainting or extreme lightheadedness
Severe pelvic or abdominal pain with vaginal bleeding
As the fertilized egg continues to grow, it will eventually cause the fallopian tube to rupture, which can lead to life-threatening bleeding within the abdomen.[7] You may then become extremely lightheaded, faint, and go into shock.[8] At this point, you would need to be taken to the emergency room to be treated surgically.
How is an Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosed?
The first step in diagnosing an ectopic pregnancy is to be sure that you’re pregnant. Your doctor will order a blood test to confirm your pregnancy.[9] Next, they’ll perform a transvaginal ultrasound to determine the exact location of the pregnancy.[10] They may also perform an abdominal ultrasound to see if you’re experiencing internal bleeding.[11]
How is an Ectopic Pregnancy Treated?
Once the ectopic pregnancy is confirmed, contact your healthcare provider to make a treatment plan. If the ectopic pregnancy is caught early and there’s no unstable bleeding, they may prescribe a medication that will stop the growth of the fetus and end the ectopic pregnancy. From there, they will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your hCG levels to ensure the ectopic pregnancy has ended.[12]
Ectopic pregnancies can also be treated surgically. If the fallopian tube has ruptured, a salpingectomy will be performed. In this procedure, both the ectopic pregnancy and the fallopian are removed. If the fallopian tube has not ruptured, a salpingostomy will be performed. In that case, the ectopic pregnancy is removed and the fallopian tube is left to heal on its own.[13]
The good news is that most ectopic pregnancies are discovered and treated early. Around 85% of cases are detected before a rupture happens. Surgery is mostly performed in severe circumstances, so early detection is key in preventing a rupture and, therefore, the need for invasive procedures![14]
Free Ultrasounds in Eastern CT
You don’t have to face this alone. Our compassionate team is here to help! The Women's Center of Eastern Connecticut offers free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and a safe place to ask questions and get answers. Don’t wait another moment to get the care you deserve.
Call or text us at 860-576-8072 or request your appointment online today! All services are confidential and free of charge!
Please be aware that this article is for informational purposes only. The Women's Center of Eastern Connecticut does not provide treatment for ectopic pregnancy, only free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds to confirm the state of your pregnancy. Upon the confirmation of the ectopic pregnancy, please meet with your primary healthcare provider as quickly as possible to receive treatment.
Sources
Ectopic Pregnancy - Symptoms & Causes. Mayo Clinic. (2022, March 12). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/symptoms-causes/syc-20372088
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Ectopic Pregnancy. Cleveland Clinic. (2023, January 18). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9687-ectopic-pregnancy#symptoms-and-causes
See source 1.
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Ectopic Pregnancy - Diagnosis & Treatment. Mayo Clinic. (2022, March 12). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20372093
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Dvash, S., Cuckle, H., Smorgick, N., Vaknin, Z., Padoa, A., & Maymon, R. (2021, January 29). Increase rate of ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy during the covid-19 pandemic. European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7968738/
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