Intense abdominal pain and blood loss through the vagina are the main symptoms of ectopic pregnancy, which is when the embryo is developing outside the uterus.
About 95% of the time when the embryo is not in the uterus, it is in the tubes, but it can also develop in the abdominal cavity, ovary, broad ligament, cervix or tubal interstitium. And knowing exactly where the embryo is is important to know what is the best treatment, since when it is in the abdominal cavity the pregnancy can continue although it is a rare and delicate situation.
Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy
The ectopic pregnancy is when the embryo is developing in the tubes and is already big enough to break the woman's tube. In this case the woman has the following signs and symptoms:
- Severe abdominal pain, only on one side of the belly; Irregular vaginal bleeding, especially between the 5th and 14th weeks of pregnancy; Feeling of heaviness in the vagina; Severe pain on palpation of the uterus; Swollen abdomen; Beta HCG examination is usually negative.
In the case of pregnancy outside the uterus, but without signs of rupture of the tubes, the symptoms can be:
- Abdominal pain or discomfort; Vaginal bleeding after the last menstrual period; Severe pain on palpation of the uterus; Pain during intimate contact or during pelvic examination; Beta HCG examination is usually positive.
In case of suspicion, you should immediately go to the hospital for the doctor to do an ultrasound scan that can confirm the ectopic pregnancy and indicate the most appropriate treatment to solve the problem. The best way to know if the embryo is developing outside the uterus is through ultrasound performed by the doctor because the Beta HCG exam does not always give a positive result.
How long can it be an ectopic pregnancy?
Pregnancy in the tubes or ovaries can develop up to 14 weeks of gestation, and if this happens it is not possible to save the life of this embryo as there are no drugs, nor procedures that can move the embryo from the tubes to the uterus. When ectopic pregnancy develops in places other than the tubes, such as the abdominal cavity, it can be discovered later, but always through ultrasound.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for ectopic pregnancy should be guided by an obstetrician, because it depends on the exact location of the embryo, but it can be done with the use of drugs to promote abortion or surgery to remove the embryo and reconstruct the uterine tube, for example.
In some cases, when ectopic pregnancy is discovered before 8 weeks of gestation, and the embryo is very small, the doctor may recommend taking a drug called Methotrexate to induce abortion, but when the pregnancy is more advanced, it must be performed surgery for its removal.
Find out more details of treatment in case of ectopic pregnancy.
