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World Health DirectoryArticle Details
What Is Extrauterine Pregnancy? |
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| Date Added: September 22, 2009 01:07:57 PM | |
| Author: Michelle | |
| Category: Services | |
Defining the problem In a regular pregnancy, a fertilized egg travels through a fallopian tube to the womb. The egg attaches to the uterus and begins growing. But in an ectopic pregnancy (also known as an extrauterine pregnancy), an impregnated egg implants in another place but not the womb, usually in a fallopian tube. An ectopic pregnancy is often brough on by damage to the salpinges. An impregnated egg may have trouble passing through a damaged tube. Therefore, the egg is forced to attach and grow in the tube. Rarely, the egg implants in an ovary, the cervix or the belly. If the egg keeps developing in the damaged oviduct, it can damage or rupture the tube and lead to severe internal haemorrhage that can be deadly. If you think you have an extrauterine pregnancy, you need quick medical aid to cease it before it causes grave health problems. Risk factors 1. Smoking. Chain smokers are at high risk of having an extrauterine pregnancy. 2. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). It is often brough about by an infection, such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea. 3. Endometroid heterotopia which can cause healing tissue in or around the salpinges. 4. Exposure to the chemical DES before birth. 5. Repeated induced abortions. Symptoms Pain is commonly the first symptom of an ectopic pregnancy. The pain, often one-sided, may occur in the pelvis, abdomen or even in the shoulder or neck. The pain is commonly stabbing. Weakness, dizziness or fainting can signal grave internal hemorrhage, requiring prompt specialist medical attention. Diagnosis Diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy includes an ultrasouns, a pelvic examination administered to test for pain, tenderness or a mass in the belly. The most useful laboratory test is the measurement of the endocrine profile, especially of the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). Treatment options Treatment of an ectopic pregnancy is surgery, often by laparoscopy nowadays, to remove the extrauterine pregnancy. A perforated tube commonly has to be excised. If the tube has not burst yet, it can be fixed. Future pregnancies The extent of the surgery impacts upon the probability of future pregnancies. If the Oviduct has been spared, the possibility of a successful pregnancy is usually higher than 50%. If a salpinx has been excised, an egg can be impregnated in the remaining tube, and the possibility of a successful pregnancy is lower than 50%. |
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