How Soon Would You Know If You Have An Ectopic Pregnancy?

 Ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy is a common condition that affects one out of every 100 pregnancies and can cause death. This is a condition that occurs if the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. As pregnancy progresses, it causes pain and bleeding. It can cause breakage of the tubes and bleed, and if not treated quickly enough, it can cause heart failure and death in the mother.

How Soon Would You Know If You Have An Ectopic Pregnancy?

What causes an ectopic pregnancy?

The egg usually moves down from the ovary to the uterus in 4-5 days and settles there 6-7 days after fertilization. The most common cause of an ectopic pregnancy is an injury to the fallopian tubes that causes narrowing or blockage. There may likewise be an issue with the mass of the cylinder that regularly agreements and takes the treated egg to the uterus. Problems such as appendicitis or gynecological diseases cause damage that can cause folds and adhesions in the tube, thus delaying the passage of the egg and causing it to settle in the tube. However, in many cases, it is unknown why the egg settles in the tube.

What are the possible outcomes?

In many cases, an ectopic pregnancy will fall off and die quickly, before a new period or with very few symptoms or symptoms such as pain and bleeding. In such cases, an ectopic pregnancy is rarely diagnosed and is thought to be a miscarriage. In these cases, there is not something to be finished.

If the ectopic pregnancy continues, the thin walls of the tube will stretch and cause abdominal pain. In these cases, bleeding may occur. As the pregnancy develops, the tube may rupture, causing severe bleeding, pain, and passing out.

Without these, it is possible to detect an ectopic pregnancy with a blood test by looking at whether the normal pregnancy hormones increase at the required rate.

What are the symptoms?

Any woman who has abdominal pain is of childbearing age, and is sexually active may experience an ectopic pregnancy unless otherwise determined. The pain may have started suddenly and there may or may not be bleeding. Most cases show the following symptoms between the 4th and 10th week of pregnancy:

Unilateral abdominal pain

This can be constant and a lot, but not on the side of the ectopic pregnancy.

Shoulder headache

This happens because the diaphragm is disturbed as a result of internal bleeding.

Pregnancy test

The test result may or may not be positive. Sometimes a more detailed blood test may be required to be sure of this.

abnormal bleeding

The woman may not know she is pregnant and may experience an unusual period. It could be a spiral. Bleeding may be more or lighter than usual, or may last longer. This bleeding is not like menstrual bleeding, it is darker and more watery, sometimes likened to prune juice.

Missing or delayed periods

Pregnancy may be suspected or there may be signs of pregnancy, such as nausea, chest pain, or abdominal distension, but bleeding may not be seen.

Urinary or bowel problems

Going to the toilet can be painful.

collapse fainting

You may feel dizzy or faint, this feeling is also accompanied by a feeling as if something is wrong. Other symptoms, such as discoloration, rapid heart rate, vomiting, diarrhea, and low blood pressure, may also be experienced.

How can it be dealt with?

If an ectopic pregnancy is suspected, the woman should be taken to the hospital. In the hospital, ultrasound and blood tests are performed. If the ultrasound shows an empty uterus, but the pregnancy test is positive, an ectopic pregnancy is highly likely, except for a miscarriage or early pregnancy. The most definitive ultrasound is done with a tube through the vagina, however, it is not always possible to see an ectopic pregnancy on ultrasound. If the woman is feeling well and is not in pain, a continuous hormone blood test for two or three days can detect an ectopic pregnancy. If suspicion is high, or if the woman's symptoms worsen, a laparoscopy is performed to examine the tubes. If the diagnosis is obvious, an operation to remove the ectopic pregnancy and a blood transfusion to make up for the blood loss are required.

If early diagnosis and necessary conditions can be met without rupture of the tube, less drastic intervention is required. Keyhole surgery or treatment with medication promotes faster recovery and increases the woman's chances of conceiving in the future. Remember, if your pregnancy is ectopic, the baby will never have a chance to survive. These treatments are meant to ensure the least harm to the mother.

Before the tube ruptures, the doctor can cut the tube and take the pregnancy using laparoscopy without damaging the tube.

Alternatively, a fertility-killing drug called methotrexate can be used. Under this ultrasound or with the laparoscopic aid of a needle, it can be injected directly into a muscle to reach the offspring via the bloodstream, without damaging the fetus or the fallopian tube.

Of course, these treatments depend on expert professional skills, ultrasound, and effective laboratory testing. At the same time, they are not ubiquitous, as they are subject to research and evaluation.

Who is at risk?

Every sexually active woman of childbearing age is at risk for an ectopic pregnancy. Nonetheless, you might be bound to have an ectopic pregnancy in the event that you have: 

gynecological diseases

If you have a history of painful gynecological diseases in which the fallopian tubes are infected (for example, chlamydia trachomatis - the most common contagious sexual and asymptomatic disease). Learn more about Chlamydia.

Endometriosis

Any previous abdominal surgery, such as a cesarean section, appendicitis surgery, or an ectopic pregnancy, may increase the risk.

Attaching the spiral

The spiral prevents pregnancy in the womb, but it is not very effective in preventing pregnancy in the tube.