Signs of ectopic pregnancy

While the vast majority of pregnancies come to term without serious complications, one of the most serious problems encountered by couples trying for a baby is the ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy refers to a pregnancy in which implantation of the egg happens outside the womb.

Locations of ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy can occur in a variety of locations in the body, including the abdomen, the ovary, the cervix and at the spot where the fallopian tube meets the womb. The most common location for ectopic pregnancies, however is in the fallopian tube itself. A rare but related condition, known as a heterotopic pregnancy can also occur. With this type of pregnancy, implantation takes place in both the fallopian tube and the womb. Fortunately, this condition is even rarer than a standard ectopic pregnancy.

Signs of an ectopic pregnancy

The classic warning signs of an ectopic pregnancy include such symptoms as a sharp shooting pain in the pelvis or the abdomen, vaginal bleeding, dizziness, light headedness, fainting and tenderness in the abdomen. If any of these symptoms are experienced, it is important to seek medical attention promptly, as an untreated ectopic pregnancy can be dangerous and damage later fertility.

Causes of ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy is usually caused by conditions which slows down or obstructs the movement of the egg down the fallopian tube into the uterus. Any condition which may have damaged the fallopian tubes increases the risk of a tubal pregnancy. The possible causes of ectopic pregnancies include:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease - an infection of the female reproductive organs which can cause scarring of the organs.
• A history of Endometriosis - a disease where tissue usually found in the uterus develops in other areas of the body.
• Previous tubal surgery
• Multiple induced abortions

More on ectopic pregnancy

Generally speaking, an ectopic pregnancy is caused by a condition that either obstructs or slows down the normal movement of the egg down the fallopian tube and into the uterus. Therefore, any condition which damages the fallopian tubes will increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy. Some of the most common causes of ectopic pregnancies include previous surgery on the fallopian tubes, multiple abortions, and a history of endometriosis (a disease in which tissue usually found in the uterus develops in other parts of the body) or pelvic inflammatory disease (an infection of the reproductive organs that can cause scar tissue to develop). If the expectant mother has any of these risk factors, it is vital that she keep in close contact with her family physician and her gynecologist throughout the pregnancy to ensure that everything is normal.