 An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that develops outside the uterus. It occurs when the fertilized egg – instead of moving through the fallopian tube into the uterus – wrongly attaches itself in the tube. Rarely can it develop in the ovary, cervix or elsewhere. Ectopic pregnancy is risky because the embryo will ultimately grow to the point where it can rupture the fallopian tube or damage other organs. The resulting heavy bleeding and serious consequences can, at worst, be fatal. To prevent this, ectopic pregnancies are always terminated as soon as they are diagnosed, usually around six or seven weeks into the pregnancy. Proper care is important to avoid any long term or permanent consequences in the mother. TreatmentTreatment for ectopic pregnancy usually depends on various factors such as the stage of the pregnancy and symptoms. It consists of the following two main options: Methotrexate injection: When the embryo is still, doctors usually use an injection, methotrexate, to stop the embryo from growing, following which it dissolves in the body. These are the precautions you may have to take in this case: - You may have to cope with side effects, such as pain or cramping, nausea and diarrhea.
- You will need to avoid sex temporarily.
- You will be required to abstain from drinking alcohol.
- You may have to avoid folic acid supplements.
Surgery: Surgery is recommended in cases where the pregnancy is advanced or causes pain and bleeding, or when the mother has a medical condition or is breastfeeding. If the embryo is still small enough, a laparoscopic surgery (using a camera inserted through a small incision) is preferred. In case of an older embryo, or complications such as bleeding or scar tissue, open surgery is opted for.
If you are undergoing surgery to terminate an ectopic surgery these are some things you should know:
- You will need to be given general anesthesia.
- In case of extensive damage to it, your fallopian tube may be removed.
- You will need to take time off to recuperate – about a week in case of laparoscopic surgery and six weeks in case of an open surgery.
- You may require blood transfusion in case of heavy bleeding.
Women with blood group Rh-negative, where the father of the child is not also Rh-negative, require an Rh immunoglobulin shot as part of the treatment for ectopic pregnancy. CopingWomen who have been treated for ectopic pregnancy often experience despair at the loss of their pregnancy. They may also be anxious about whether they will be able to have children again. This is compounded by the discomfort, including weakness, pain or hormonal fluctuations, associated with the treatment. If these feelings persist, affected women may benefit by seeing a counselor. Getting pregnant againWomen who have been treated for ectopic pregnancy can conceive again depending on the extent of the internal injury sustained. They can also opt for treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) to help them get pregnant. It is important, however, that they heal completely before planning another baby. It is also necessary that the subsequent pregnancy is carefully monitored to prevent complications. The possibility of a subsequent normal pregnancy is as high as 85 to 90 percent. However, women whose fallopian tubes have been damaged, due to infection or other reasons, may find it more difficult to conceive or may be more likely to develop an ectopic pregnancy again. Photo credit: wikimedia commonsAlso read: Pregnancy discomfortsTags: Ectopic, pregnancyRead more:SLIDESHOW: Yoga for pregnancyExpert speak: Diabetes in pregnancy has its risks |
