Ectopic Pregnancy: Signs and Symptoms

An ectopic pregnancy can be very dangerous and endanger a mother’s life. Therefore, it is very important to get an early diagnosis. In order to do so, you should learn the signs and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy if you are of child bearing age, so that you are well informed and can possibly preempt a dangerous situation.

Ectopic pregnancy refers to the situation when an embryo implants into the fallopian tube, cervix, ovary or abdomen instead of the uterus. Most of the time, this implantation occurs in the fallopian tube and is commonly referred to as a tubal pregnancy. It is rare that an implantation occurs in the cervix, ovary or abdomen, but these are referred to as cervical, ovarian or abdominal pregnancies. The uterus is designed to support a pregnancy. It can expand to six hundred times its original size and it has the nutrients and vascular support to accommodate a growing fetus. Other organs can not expand and a growing fetus will eventually rupture the organ. This situation can be deadly for the mother because of the mass amount of blood that is generally lost during a rupture.

The signs and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are generally the same as the early signs of a normal pregnancy. Breast tenderness, nausea, vomiting, missed menstrual periods and fatigue are common symptoms of a normal or ectopic pregnancy. One main difference to look for is severe pain. Sharp stabbing pains, usually on one side can suggest an ectopic pregnancy. Sometimes the pains will come and go. Vaginal bleeding and spotting are other signs that you may have an ectopic pregnancy.

If you have a rupture, then you will have more severe symptoms and need to be taken to the emergency room as soon as possible. You may experience pain in your neck or shoulder, especially when you lay down, due to pooling blood irritating the nerves. You may feel lightheaded or pass out. You may have cold sweats and a rapid heartbeat. Abdominal or pelvic pain at this point will be severe enough that you can not stand.

If you and your doctor suspect an ectopic pregnancy, then a pelvic ultrasound can usually locate the embryo. Blood test will tell your doctor what stage of pregnancy you are in and confirm the presence of an embryo. If it can not be seen through ultrasound, then your doctor will monitor you every one to three days to confirm that the pregnancy is misplaced. If you have internal bleeding, then you may be rushed to surgery.

If you even suspect an ectopic pregnancy, don’t hesitate to get a confirmed diagnosis. There is no way that a baby can fully develop outside of the uterus and the ectopic pregnancy does not represent a viable fetus. It must be removed as soon as possible to save the mother’s life. It is very important that you realize the severity of a possible ectopic pregnancy and get medical attention very quickly if you suspect that you may have one.

About the Author: Dr. Eric Daiter, the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Eric Daiter please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.