How Ectopic Pregnancy Can Be Tackled

Pregnancy involves many stages and steps. When one step becomes faulty, problems begin to arise. For example, pregnancy begins when the egg, which has been fertilized by the sperm, attaches itself to the uterus and begins to develop following many other steps. In other words, the major aspect of pregnancy, or the first stage that validates pregnancy, is the extension of the fertilized egg to the uterus.

However, when the egg gets attached to any other part of the reproductive organ asides from the uterus, such pregnancy can be termed ectopic pregnancy. Some of the reproductive parts that ectopic pregnancies mostly occur in including the fallopian tube, cervix, or abdominal cavity. Although just like an egg attaching itself to the uterus proves that a female is pregnant, so also does a fertilized egg attaching itself to the fallopian tube, abdominal cavity, or cervix prove that a female is pregnant.

However, the growth or development of the fertilized eggs in both case scenarios differ. The former develops properly into a fetus and then a baby, while the latter cannot develop properly. This is because no fertilized egg can grow and develop into any other part of the reproductive organ asides from the uterus.

Facts About Ectopic Pregnancy

Studies have shown that about 1 pregnancy out of 50 pregnancies is ectopic. This makes it a common pregnancy condition and requires immediate medical attention. When an ectopic pregnancy is left untreated for a long time, it may lead to severe complications that can be life-threatening.

This is why pregnancies need to be monitored promptly by medical experts. Pregnancy monitoring will help detect any pregnancy defect and ensure the administration of immediate medical attention if need be. When pregnancy conditions such as ectopic pregnancy are detected early enough, it helps the individual carry a healthy pregnancy and also reduces the individual’s chances of having pregnancy complications both now and in the future.

Since the fallopian tube cannot stretch like the uterus during pregnancy, a fertilized egg may not survive for long in the fallopian tube. The fallopian tube may burst and cause severe bleeding in the woman. When it gets to this point, it becomes a medical emergency, as the pregnancy is now complicated. To prevent such, report every strange feeling you have while you are pregnant, and do not miss your antenatal appointments.

Risk Factors of Ectopic Pregnancy

Females who are most likely to experience an ectopic pregnancy include those who have had;

Surgery on the Fallopian Tubes

Surgeries carried out on the fallopian tube, or fibroid removal surgeries can increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy. It is momentous to speak to your doctor if you have had any tubal surgery. This will help your doctor closely monitor your pregnancy for any defect that may want to occur.

A Previous Case of Ectopic Pregnancy

Your chances of ectopic pregnancy increase if you have a history of ectopic pregnancy. Speaking to your doctor about your previous pregnancies will help your doctor pay more attention to your pregnancy and also detect quickly if your pregnancy is an ectopic one or not.

Family History of Infertility

If one of your direct family members has had an ectopic pregnancy, it increases your chances of having one as well. Keeping tabs on your family’s health history will help you know what to avoid and how to manage the condition when it gets to your turn.

A Long History of Smoking

Heavy smoking is a risk factor for ectopic pregnancy. Also, smoking just before pregnancy occurs can increase your chances of developing ectopic pregnancy by up to 60%. Research has shown that the more you smoke, the higher the risk.

Sexually Transmitted Infections

When parts of the reproductive organs get infected with conditions like gonorrhea, an inflammation that may increase your risk of ectopic pregnancy may occur.

Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases

Pelvic inflammatory diseases are conditions that cause scar tissues to form in the fallopian tubes and other reproductive parts of the female body. When this occurs, ectopic pregnancy is almost inevitable.

Infertility and Infertility Treatments like In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

On the one hand, infertility is one of the biggest risk factors of ectopic pregnancy, while on the other hand, its treatments, such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF), can make the risks of ectopic pregnancy even higher.

Birth Controls like the Intrauterine Device (IUD)

If, by chance, you happen to get pregnant while you have an intrauterine device inserted, your chances of having an ectopic pregnancy will rise.

Age

Age is another huge risk factor for ectopic pregnancy. Studies have shown that females who are aged 35 and above have higher chances of having ectopic pregnancies than females below that age bracket.

Given these conditions, ectopic pregnancy may occur. Although, over the years, some females who have been diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy had none of the above-mentioned risk factors. However, females who have one or more of the above-mentioned risks may have a higher chance of having an ectopic pregnancy.

Causes of Ectopic Pregnancy

According to experts, factors that cause ectopic pregnancy are always not very clear. However, some factors that are suspected to be culprits of ectopic pregnancy include the following;

• Hormonal imbalances; a part of the body that is always grossly affected by hormonal imbalances in the reproductive organ. Apart from fertility issues, hormonal imbalance can also cause ectopic pregnancy.
• Medical conditions, infections, or surgeries that may cause scar tissues to develop in the abdominal cavity, uterus, or fallopian tube can also cause ectopic pregnancy.
• Medical conditions that tamper with the shape of the reproductive organs, especially the fallopian tubes and the uterus, are also a factor that has been discovered to trigger ectopic pregnancy.
• According to research, birth defects that affect the reproductive organs can also be responsible for ectopic pregnancy.
• Compromised genes; people whose genes have been compromised (as a result of the kind of family they are from and the health history of that family) may have an ectopic pregnancy. Compromised genes or genetic abnormalities are part of the major and most common causes of Ectopic pregnancy.

Complications

When an ectopic pregnancy is not detected early and thus left untreated for a long time, it causes the fallopian tube to swell and burst, thereby causing severe bleeding that can be life-threatening.

Symptoms

If you are pregnant and you notice any of these symptoms, your pregnancy may be an ectopic one.

• You may experience severe pelvic pain and vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. If the bleeding is heavy, it is possible that the fallopian tube must have ruptured, and when this transpires, it becomes a medical emergency, as it could be life-threatening.
• A severe feeling of fainting as lightheadedness
• Loss of appetite
• Shoulder pain, caused by an irritation of some nerves due to little blood leaks from the fallopian tube.

Can Ectopic Pregnancy Be Prevented?

Well, yes, it can. Some simple lifestyle changes can help prevent an ectopic pregnancy. Although there are some cases in which ectopic pregnancy cannot be prevented. Some of these cases include; genetic abnormalities, birth defects, health conditions, among others. However, quitting smoking and using condoms during sex to prevent sexually transmitted infections may help prevent an ectopic pregnancy.

Treatment

Medications

If the ectopic pregnancy does not tend towards becoming complicated anytime soon, your doctor may administer drugs that can help induce a miscarriage and elimination the fertilized egg from the fallopian tube. This is quite safer than surgery and is a 100% possible treatment method if the ectopic pregnancy is detected early enough.

Surgery

Surgery is recommended if the pregnancy is complicated. It is the most effective method of treating the condition if the fallopian tube has gotten to the point of bursting. This kind of surgery is called a laparotomy. Here, the embryo is removed from the fallopian tube, and the damaged part of the fallopian tube is repaired.

However, if the fallopian tube is damaged beyond repair, it is taken out completely, and this stamps out a female’s chances of getting pregnant again.

Conclusion

Ectopic pregnancy is abnormal. Its symptoms should be reported early to avoid complications. Although some risk factors have been identified to trigger ectopic pregnancy. However, some women who are diagnosed with this pregnancy condition show none of those risk factors. This means ectopic pregnancy can occur, regardless of the risk factors. Early detection helps eliminate every chance of complications.