Print Article for : Treatment Of Ectopic Pregnancy

Your Online Guide » Pregnancy » Pregnancy Problems

[T1319]Treatment Of Ectopic Pregnancy

by Apurva Shree, Apu

Ectopic pregnancy is the leading cause of death amongst women in the first few months of their pregnancy period, so consult a doctor immediately, if you notice anything abnormal that may be symptomatic of an ectopic pregnancy.

The first stage in the treatment involves elimination of the dangerous non viable intrauterine pregnancy, to minimize the risk for the mother. In this, the doctor always tries to protect future pregnancy prospects for the mother.

Complications include the reduced probability of further conception however, this greatly depends on the extent of damage to the internal organs. Future pregnancies must only be planned after proper consultation with a doctor.

Treatment Options Include :

Non-invasive Chemical Method :

An early pregnancy that is ectopic in nature can at times be cured with a methotrexate injection that will dissolve the fertilized egg. This is advantageous for the mother, as it prevents scarring of the pelvic organs. Since ectopic pregnancies do not give rise to live births, look out for symptoms, so that an early treatment course can be undertake.

Surgery:

If the ectopic nature of your pregnancy is detected in the later stages, along with pregnancy complications, then surgery may be necessary. Nowadays, the less invasive laparoscopy surgery method is widely used in its treatment. If a womans fallopian tube has ruptured, then before pregnancy complications develop, an emergency surgery through an abdominal incision (laparatomy) may become necessary. In very few cases, the doctor is able to repair the damaged fallopian tube, which gets removed in most instances.

After the surgery, one needs close monitoring of her HCG (pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin) levels. If this level does not show a zero reading, then additional surgery may be required for any left out ectopic tissue.

Your chance of a future pregnancy depends on the place where you had the egg implanted. If both your fallopian tubes are intact, then the probability of a successful future pregnancy is about 60%. However, if you have had one ectopic pregnancy, then the chance of a second also increases. So, doctors always advise to be aware of the symptoms, so that early treatment is done.

Expectant Management:

In a few cases, treatment of an ectopic pregnancy may be done through expectant management. This involves close observation and constant monitoring, and no treatment is given. Expectant management is undertaken in very few cases, where it is anticipated that the it will automatically resolve. However, until the condition completely normalizes, the risk of a rupture always remains.

Treatment of ectopic pregnancy no doubt exists, but, why dont you try to prevent it and also cut down on certain risk factors. This can be done by avoiding multiple sexual partners, and also using a condom while intercourse. This will help avoid STDs and reduce the chances of PIDs (pelvic inflammatory diseases).

Ectopic pregnancy is a condition in which a fertilized egg settles and grows in any location other than the inner lining of the uterus. About 1% of pregnancies are in an ectopic location with implantation not occurring inside of the womb, and of these 98% occur in the Fallopian tubes. In a typical ectopic pregnancy, the embryo does not reach the uterus, but instead adheres to the lining of the Fallopian tube. The implanted embryo burrows actively into the tubal lining. Most commonly this invades vessels and will cause bleeding. This bleeding expels the implantation out of the tubal end as a tubal abortion. Some women thinking they are having a miscarriage are actually having a tubal abortion. There is no inflammation of the tube in ectopic pregnancy. The pain is caused by prostaglandins released at the implantation site, and by free blood in the peritoneal cavity, which is locally irritant. Sometimes the bleeding might be heavy enough to threaten the health or life of the woman. Usually this degree of bleeding is due to delay in diagnosis, but sometimes, especially if the implantation is in the proximal tube it may invade into Sampson artery , causing heavy bleeding earlier than usual. An ectopic pregnancy can't proceed normally. The developing embryo can't survive, and the growing placental tissue may destroy important maternal structures. Without treatment, life-threatening blood loss is possible. About one in every 40 to 100 pregnancies is ectopic. Thanks to earlier diagnosis and treatment, the chance for future healthy pregnancies is better than ever before.

Ectopic means "out of place." An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy where the fetus is not growing in the usual location (the uterine cavity or the womb). Ectopic pregnancies can occur in a number of unusual locations, each with different characteristic growth patterns. Almost all ectopic pregnancies occur in fallopian tubes (tubes from uterus), so this is also known as "Tubal Pregnancy". Since the fallopian tubes are not large enough to accommodate a growing embryo, the pregnancy cannot continue normally. If identified early, the embryo is removed. In some cases, the embryo grows until the fallopian tube is stretched so much that the tube ruptures. Rupture of the tube is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention because it can result in severe hemorrhaging. An ectopic pregnancy is a potentially life-threatening condition.

Causes of Ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy is caused by a disruption in a woman's reproductive anatomy or the timing of specific reproductive events. Ectopic pregnancy is common in women age 20 to 29, but the cause is not always known. However, previous damage to one of the two fallopian tubes may obstruct the passage of the fertilized egg along the tube to the uterus. The egg then implants in the wall of the tube instead of in the uterus. This prior damage may have been caused by an unsuccessful or a reversed sterilization procedure or a fallopian tube infection. Ectopic pregnancies are more common in women using an intrauterine contraceptive device, partly because these devices increase the risk of a pelvic infection in women who exposed to sexually transmitted diseases.

Symptoms of Ectopic pregnancy

1. Nausea, vomiting.

2. Dizziness.

3. Low blood pressure.

4. Breast tenderness.

5. Frequent urination.

Treatment of Ectopic pregnancy

Medicine, surgery, or a combination of the two are usually used to end an ectopic pregnancy before it endangers the mother. In a few cases, very early ectopic pregnancies can be watched closely to see whether the pregnancy will miscarry on its own. Emergency medical help is needed if the area of the ectopic pregnancy ruptured. (Shock is an emergency condition.) Treatment for shock may include keeping the woman warm, raising her legs, and giving oxygen. Fluids by IV and a blood transfusion may be needed. Surgery (laparotomy) is done to stop blood loss (in the event of a rupture). This surgery is also done to confirm the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy, remove the abnormal pregnancy, and repair any tissue damage. In some cases, removal of the fallopian tube may be necessary. A mini-laparotomy and laparoscopy are the most common surgical treatments for an ectopic pregnancy that has not ruptured.

Article Source : Pg. 30

About Author

Both Apurva Shree & Juliet Cohen are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Apurva Shree has sinced written about articles on various topics from Investments, Teeth Whitening and The Internet. There are some peculiar indications in the body, symptomatic of an ectopic pregnancy. If you notice any such