In an ectopic pregnancy, a fertilized egg grows outside the uterus, and this poses a serious risk to your he alth. Quick help is needed. It also depends on her whether you will be able to become a mother in the future. What are the causes, symptoms, and treatment of an ectopic pregnancy?

Oneectopic pregnancyfor every 100 births. It is most often found in women between 26 and 30 years of age. Depending on the place where the fertilized egg nested, the following are distinguished:

  • tubal pregnancy(this is 99% of cases), when a fertilized cell is implanted in the fallopian tube, the embryo can develop in any part of the fallopian tube
  • ovarian pregnancyif an egg settles and develops in or on the ovary
  • abdominal pregnancy(peritoneal) when it develops in the peritoneal cavity or other internal organ. If the egg is at the very end of the fallopian tube, right next to the hyphae, and it connects with the sperm there, it can detach and fall into the loop of the intestine, where it will develop
  • cervical pregnancy , where the fertilized egg develops below the internal opening of the uterus, outside the uterine cavity.

Ectopic pregnancy: causes

These are changes in the fallopian tubes, e.g. as a result of endometriosis (endometrial hyperplasia which makes it difficult to get pregnant and the proper implantation of the egg), defective structure of the uterus or fallopian tube. It happens that the fallopian tube is overgrown, narrowed or attached to the ovary. Sometimes it malfunctions, e.g. it does not perform perist altic movements to facilitate the transfer of the egg into the uterus. However, the most common causes of problems are hypertrophic changes after adnexitis. It is worth remembering, especially in the face of the fashion for thongs, short jackets and skirts.

If we compare the fallopian tube to a soft 4 mm diameter tube, you know how easily it can be damaged. Adhesions formed as a result of inflammation can be compared to the string with which we tie the tube. Its interior will shrink or not be open at all, and the egg cannot reach the uterus. But adhesions can also be the result of surgery on the fallopian tube or an ovarian cyst, as well as a previous ectopic pregnancy. When a woman oftenshe falls ill with various bacterial infections and does not cure them, her motherhood may be in doubt. The wandering bacteria can also reach the appendages and cause their inflammation. The same is the case with streptococcus bacteria, which most often nest in teeth affected by caries.

Important

There is no universal way to prevent an ectopic pregnancy. However, it can be assumed that preventing frequent inflammation of the appendages partially protects the woman from such an event. Doctors emphasize that past inflammation of the appendages usually leads to the formation of scarring on the fallopian tubes, which contributes to an ectopic pregnancy.

Difficult diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy

Initially, it is difficult to distinguish its symptoms from salpingitis or appendicitis. Spotting is not a clue either. It happens during normal pregnancy or imminent miscarriage (spotting than bleeding is more common in misplaced pregnancy). However, if I am in pain, an ectopic pregnancy is very likely.

In some women, an ectopic pregnancy dies and is absorbed into the tissues. But most often it is a life-threatening condition, as it can end in an internal hemorrhage.

When there is severe pain across one side of the abdomen, it is usually a rupture of an ectopic pregnancy. Pain can radiate to the shoulder and diaphragm. Internal bleeding makes heart rate faster, blood pressure low, and skin pale. There is also profuse sweating. When a woman presents with such symptoms, the doctor first conducts an interview. Then he or she orders the concentration of the chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the blood. Her presence confirms pregnancy. If the hCG concentration in the blood does not increase by 66-100% within 48 hours, an ectopic pregnancy is suspected. To be sure, I do a transvaginal ultrasound. When no gestational sac is not visible in the uterus, the diagnosis is confirmed.

Management of an ectopic pregnancy

In some women, the ectopic pregnancy dies and is absorbed into the tissues. But most often it is a life-threatening condition, as it can end in internal hemorrhage. If it is small, then the problem is less. An ectopic pregnancy of several weeks can be destroyed with drugs.

You can have children after an ectopic pregnancy, although some couples may have to wait a little longer for them.

This method spares the fallopian tube and does not harm the female body. When it lasts, for example, 7-8 weeks, the haemorrhage is usually profuse and the woman is at risk of bleeding out. Sometimes there is also a rupture of the fallopian tube in which the pregnancy was developing,and it must be removed. Then surgery is the rescue. Until recently, it was a procedure involving cutting the abdominal wall. Currently, laparoscopy is used. Under general anesthesia, three ends of the apparatus are inserted through a small incision in the skin of the abdomen. One is a camera and two are operational tools. After laparoscopy, wounds heal very quickly and the scars are almost invisible.

After ectopic pregnancy removal

A woman should be under the care of a gynecologist. If the fallopian tube is preserved, its patency should be checked six months after the procedure. When it is removed, the woman has two ovaries and one fallopian tube left. Fertility is preserved. You also don't have to worry that the next fertilization will end similarly. You can have babies after an ectopic pregnancy, although some couples may have to wait a little longer for them.

monthly "Zdrowie"

Category:

Pregnancy