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Ectopic Pregnancy Precautions

Ectopic Pregnancy Precautions

We want you to be aware that an ectopic pregnancy can be fatal.

Ectopic Pregnancy

What is an ectopic pregnancy?

An ectopic pregnancy is one that is growing in the wrong place. While normally the baby grows inside the uterus, an ectopic pregnancy can be in the fallopian tube (where the egg and sperm meet), ovary, cervix, or the abdominal cavity (belly).

Pictured is a diagram of an ectopic pregnancy in the fallopian tube. 

Symptoms

You MAY have a tubal pregnancy if you are pregnant AND have one or more of the following:

  • Severe pain centered on one side of the abdomen or pelvis
  • Lightheadedness, dizziness, or blackouts
  • Abnormally low blood pressure
  • As in the case of miscarriage, the passage of tissue (not just blood clots) from your vagina
  • Bleeding from the vagina mayor may not be present

Medical Tests

The doctor may perform several tests to help confirm an ectopic pregnancy, since many of the symptoms can be confusing. Ectopic pregnancy may be proved by a sonogram showing a baby outside the uterus.

Causes

In most cases the cause of tubal pregnancy is not known and there is nothing you could have done to prevent it. However a woman is more likely to have a tubal pregnancy if she:

  • Has had a previous ectopic pregnancy
  • Has had an infection of the fallopian tubes or certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as gonorrhea or chlamydia
  • Has had pelvic infection from an intrauterine device (IUD)
  • Gets pregnant while an IUD is inside her uterus

If you suspect you have an ectopic pregnancy:

Get medical treatment immediately from the emergency room or an OBGYN. Ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency. Failure to get help may allow rapid bleeding into the abdomen from a ruptured internal organ, causing death from shock (dangerously low blood pressure). Take the paperwork we provide and any insurance information with you.

Treatment

To protect the woman’s life, the baby (and perhaps the tube) is taken out. With some early tubal pregnancies medicine can be given to reabsorb the baby into the woman’s body without resorting to surgery.