Ectopic Pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy (also sometimes referred to as tubal pregnancy) is a serious situation that many people don’t know much about. Medical studies are showing a sobering and significant increase in ectopic pregnancies; if undetected and untreated, ectopic pregnancy is life-threatening and responsible for 4-10% of all maternal deaths. The best way to protect yourself and the women around you is to educate yourself on what ectopic pregnancy is, know the signs, and have a good understanding of who is at an increased risk. Understandably, learning about this can be a bit intimidating or scary at first, but educating yourself about the possibilities is such a healthy choice in the long run. Knowledge is power! You’ve got this, and we’ve got your back. :)
Note: If you are pregnant and believe that you are experiencing an ectopic pregnancy, contact your doctor or go to an emergency room right away.
What is it?
An ectopic pregnancy is when, after conception, the fertilized egg implants itself outside of the woman’s uterus – most commonly in one of her fallopian tubes – instead of implanting inside her uterus where it should.
If the pregnancy does implant in a fallopian tube (or other place outside of the uterus), the ectopic pregnancy can then eventually rupture, causing internal bleeding to the pregnant woman and putting her in a potentially life-threatening scenario. Ectopic pregnancy is always a serious situation, and it is important that you see your doctor or go into an emergency room right away if you are experiencing symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy.
Symptoms
Early on, *signs of an ectopic pregnancy can be similar to those of a normal pregnancy (nausea, tender breasts, etc.). But they may also include other symptoms such as light vaginal bleeding, mild cramping, or pelvic pain. As the pregnancy progresses, signs of ectopic pregnancy can become more distinct. Emergency symptoms to look for at this point may include:
Unusual pelvic, abdominal, or back pain, or pelvic pain that is one-sided
Intense weakness, lightheadedness, or fainting (may be an indication of internal bleeding)
Shoulder pain
*If you are pregnant and experiencing any of the above emergency symptoms, seek professional medical help right away.
It is possible, however, to discover an ectopic pregnancy even before symptoms occur through an early pregnancy confirmation ultrasound. If you think you’re pregnant but haven’t had your pregnancy confirmed through an ultrasound yet, Thrive Medical Clinic provides no-cost, confidential pregnancy confirmation ultrasounds. You can contact us at (231)-929-3488 or request an ultrasound appointment online by clicking the button below, to see if you’re eligible for a confirmation ultrasound.
Risk Factors:
Some things that make you more likely to have an ectopic pregnancy are:
Previous ectopic pregnancy: If you've had this type of pregnancy before, you're more likely to have another.
Inflammation or infection: Sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, can cause inflammation in the tubes and other nearby organs, and increase your risk of an ectopic pregnancy.
Fertility treatments: Some research suggests that women who have in vitro fertilization (IVF) or similar treatments are more likely to have an ectopic pregnancy. Infertility itself may also raise your risk.
Tubal surgery: Surgery to correct a closed or damaged fallopian tube can increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy.
Choice of birth control: The chance of getting pregnant while using an intrauterine device (IUD) is rare. However, if you do get pregnant with an IUD in place, it's more likely to be ectopic. Tubal ligation, a permanent method of birth control commonly known as "having your tubes tied," also raises your risk, if you become pregnant after this procedure.
Smoking: Cigarette smoking just before you get pregnant can increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy. The more you smoke, the greater the risk.
How to Rule Out an Ectopic Pregnancy
One of best ways to rule out a potential ectopic pregnancy is with a pregnancy confirmation ultrasound, which will tell you several important things to help you know for sure what’s going on inside your body. The first thing we look for with a confirmation ultrasound is the location of the pregnancy so that we can determine if the pregnancy is implanted in the uterus – where it should be. If we see that your pregnancy is safely implanted in the uterus and everything is looking normal at this point, we then look for signs of viability and take measurements that will tell you how far along you are and what your due date would be.
Note: In some instances, it may not be possible to rule out an ectopic pregnancy if you are still early in your pregnancy. If our sonographer is unable to confirm your pregnancy, a rescan may be scheduled or further instructions will be given to speak with a doctor.
Confirmation Ultrasound
Thrive Medical Clinic’s pregnancy confirmation ultrasounds are provided at no cost, with no insurance needed. If you think that you might be pregnant but haven’t had an ultrasound yet, reach out to us! We’re here as a team of fellow women to provide you with safe, professional, and confidential care.
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Remember:
It is important to remember that if you are experiencing unusual abdominal or pelvic pain, bleeding, or lightheadedness, contact your doctor or go to an emergency room right away. If you are experiencing these symptoms but are unable to go in, call 911.