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There are many things that women find themselves worrying about when they learn that they are pregnant. It’s true that there are many complications that can happen during pregnancy such as gestational diabetes or problems regulating blood pressure. However, early after finding out she is pregnant, one of the very first complications that can happen is that a woman finds out she actually is experiencing an ectopic pregnancy.

The simple definition of an ectopic pregnancy is when the embryo implants itself outside of their uterus. The only place that’s safe and healthy for an embryo to implant is on the uterine wall. Therefore, ectopic pregnancies are not viable and can present a danger to the mother. for example, internal bleeding is one complication that commonly happens if a woman does not terminate the ectopic pregnancy in time.

Most ectopic pregnancies actually occur inside of the fallopian tube. this type of pregnancy is commonly called a tubal pregnancy. However, there are other areas that embryos have been known to implant such as the abdomen, cervix, and ovaries. An ectopic pregnancy is an emergency situation and must be treated quickly. It can be a fatal condition if a woman does not have it treated in time.

If left untreated, about half of the ectopic pregnancies will actually resolve without any treatment whatsoever. However, it is too dangerous to believe that an ectopic pregnancy will treat itself. A woman should definitely seek medical counsel to find out whether or not she needs a particular medication that can reduce the chance that she would have to have surgery. some women end up losing one of their tubes if the embryo is implanted there and they have waited too long to seek medical assistance.

An interesting thing to note is that although an ectopic pregnancy is normally not viable, there have been rare instances where live baby has been delivered as a result of an abdominal one. this typically means that the placenta sat on the abdominal organs and was able to somehow get a good blood supply. However, this puts a great as risk on the mother’s life because the placenta has commonly attached to her internal organs and can cause major hemorrhage and bleeding after the baby is removed.

The first thing to consider is the definition of a tubal pregnancy. It is formal medical term is an ectopic pregnancy. This happens when the egg, upon fertilization from the sperm, does not travel the fallopian tube to the uterus but instead attaches itself to the wall of the fallopian tube.

The fertilized egg should implant itself into the wall of the uterus where it can grow with no problem. When the fertilized egg implants itself into the fallopian tube where it cannot grow, the problems begin.

This type of pregnancy is relatively rare, however. Only about one in 250 women will have ectopic pregnancies and it is usually caught early enough to avoid danger to the mother.

What can cause tubal pregnancy to happen? Well, fallopian tube problems will cause it, such as a reversed tubal ligation. When this type of sterilization is reversed an ectopic pregnancy is more likely to happen. Also, very often this kind of pregnancy can be due to an intrauterine device, another name for ‘the coil’. Your chances also increase if you have recently had some sort of pelvic infection. Many other common things can cause this kind of a problem such as the contraceptive pill, infertility drugs, smoking and numerous abdominal surgeries.

The symptoms of an tubal pregnancy are not much different than the early days of a normal pregnancy and thus very difficult to diagnosis. Like the beginning of a normal first trimester, the symptoms are breast tenderness, morning sickness, tiredness and the missing of a menstrual period.

However, there are other signs that your pregnancy is not normal. You may start to have abdominal pain or slight bleeding that doctors call ‘spotting’. Another symptom is cramping in your abdomen, although slight cramping in early pregnancy is quite normal. If you start to suffer from severe cramping, very often associated with blood spotting, that can be a sign that the pregnancy might be a tubal pregnancy. Very often, one of the first symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy can be a severe pain on just one side of your abdomen, or a throbbing abdominal pain that can last for a while. One of the most widely recognized symptoms of this type of pregnancy is that not only will you get a severe pain in your abdomen, you can also get a very definite pain in your shoulder. Which shoulder is affected indicates which one of your fallopian tubes has the fertilized egg.

There are a number of tests that the doctor can do to find out if the problem is an ectopic pregnancy. One of these is a simple blood test to check on your hCG levels. The level of hCG in your blood should double every day. If they are rising more slowly than that, your doctor may want more testing to be done on your blood or he may ask you to go for an ultrasound scan which will confirm an ectopic or normal pregnancy. The ultrasound will show an empty uterus since the fertilized egg has lodged in one of the fallopian tubes.

If you start to suffer any of these symptoms you should call your doctor immediately. An ectopic pregnancy can make you infertile due to the ruptured fallopian tube. If the fallopian tube is allowed to burst you may develop peritonitis, a condition in which the infection from a ruptured organ spreads throughout your body and endangers your life. A ruptured fallopian tube is a medical emergency due to internal bleeding and shock.

What Are the Signs of Tubular Pregnancy?

Ectopic pregnancy refers to a fertilized egg that implants somewhere outside of the uterus. This is generally in the fallopian tube and is sometimes referred to as a tubal pregnancy. Certain women are at a higher risk for having an ectopic pregnancy than others.

An ectopic pregnancy can start out just like a normal pregnancy. You may have a positive pregnancy test, miss your period or have other normal pregnancy symptoms. Then again, you may not have a positive pregnancy test and you should seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the ectopic pregnancy symptoms.

Many women first experience abdominal pain that can be tender to the touch, sharp or sudden, persistent or intermittent, or it could be fairly mild. Symptoms can have a wide range from person to person. Some women only have pain on one side while others have it in their entire abdomen or pelvis.

Vomiting or nausea can occur. Spotting or vaginal bleeding is also normal. Pain generally gets more severe if you are active, sneezing, coughing or laughing.

If your fallopian tube has ruptured, then you could be in immediate life-threatening danger and you should call 911 immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms. Pain in your shoulder, especially when you lie down can be caused by internal bleeding. Lying down can wash the pooling blood up to your shoulder and put pressure on the nerves, causing pain.

This is a real emergency and you may not have much time to get medical help. Do not delay in calling 911 and never attempt to drive yourself if you experience this type of pain. You may go into shock and experience a weak or fast pulse. Your skin could become pale and clammy. You can get dizzy and find it hard to balance. You can feel faint or actually pass out. Any of these symptoms should tell you that you are in immediate danger and you should get help without delay.

Your chances of having an ectopic pregnancy are higher if you have an IUD, have had a previous ectopic pregnancy, if you have had any type of surgery in or around your fallopian tubes, if you have had a cesarean section or other abdominal surgery or if you have had any type of pelvic infection, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, chlamydia or gonorrhea. Any surgeries or infections can make scar tissue grow in your fallopian tubes trapping a fertilized egg. IUD’s and progestin-only birth control pills can make your uterus inhospitable to fertilized eggs and they may implant in your fallopian tube instead.

If you are at a higher risk for ectopic pregnancy, be very mindful of the symptoms so that you can seek medical help at the slightest signs of a problem.

Symptoms of an Ectopic Pregnancy

Had a romp with your hubby on bed last night? Then it’s time for pregnancy test! Ya, we know you’re desperate to hear the good news. That’s why we’re here to tell you about home pregnancy tests, and more. Continue reading…

Facts About Home Pregnancy Tests

These kits are 99% effective, if used as per instructions. Even a urine pregnancy test conducted by your doctor has the same level of accuracy. You can easily get a test kit over-the-counter. The biggest advantage of conducting tests at home is privacy.

Testing for pregnancy at home is easy. You just need to collect urine in a clean bottle. Put 1-2 drops of urine on the chemical strip provided in the kit through a dropper. The strip detects the presence human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This is a pregnancy hormone.

When you’re pregnant, hCG hormone is released in the urine by your placenta. Many of the early pregnancy symptoms like sore breasts and morning sickness are due to this hormone. Pregnancy kits work by detecting this hormone in your urine, which shows traces about 10 days after fertilization. Therefore, a kit may give an incorrect result, if you take the test 10 days before conception. You might be pregnant, but the test may show negative.

Hence, it’s best to wait for 5-10 days after you miss your period before taking a pregnancy test. If the test shows negative, take it again after a few days. If it’s still negative, wait for some more days and call on your doctor for advice. You should not be content with testing just once. Test 2-3 times at intervals, and if it stills shows negative, you’re NOT pregnant.

In some cases, the fertilized egg doesn’t get implanted in the uterus, but makes its home in the fallopian tube. This condition is called ectopic pregnancy. In this situation, your pregnancy kit may not be able to detect hCG levels in the urine, as it might be low. Therefore, if you THINK you’re pregnant, even if the test shows negative, consult your doctor. This is the time to go by your gut feeling! And yes, ectopic pregnancy is dangerous. Ask your doctor more about it.

3 Things To Remember While Taking A Test

*Collect the first morning urine (it’s easy to detect hCG levels in such sample). If it is not possible, collect urine that was present in your bladder for 4 hours or more.*Avoid drinking excess water or fluids before taking the test. Increasing the amount of urine may dilute hCG levels.*Read and follow every instruction given in the kit carefully. Only then can you expect accuracy in the result.*There are certain medications and fertility drugs that may meddle with pregnancy test results. For more information, check the labeling on kit or consult your doctor.

There are also highly sensitive pregnancy tests available in the market. They detect your pregnancy just 6-8 days after ovulation. But, their accuracy is low. Most of the women get accurate results only on testing 9-10 days after ovulation. Therefore, patience pays in case of pregnancy tests. Till then, arrange for the party!

Your Pregnancy Test Shows Negative? Test Again!

Ectopic pregnancies are far more common than people think. On average this condition affects one in a hundred pregnancies. Here we discuss the symptoms and the effects this condition has on women.

What Is An Ectopic Pregnancy?

Put simply an Ectopic Pregnancy is a pregnancy that develops outside of the womb, usually in one of the fallopian tubes, cervix or ovary. It usually happens when the fallopian tube is damaged or blocked and prevents the fertilised egg from reaching its correct destination and therefore it implants itself in the fallopian tube.

What Are The Symptoms Of An Ectopic Pregnancy?

Ectopic Pregnancies are usually discovered between the fourth and tenth week of pregnancy when the expectant mother will have experienced some of the following symptoms.

• Pain when urinating or opening her bowels
• Vaginal bleeding, which is darker and more watery than a normal period bleed
• Diarrhoea, fainting, vomiting and general pain.
• Persistent pain on one side of the abdomen
• Pain in the shoulder

Can It Affect Any Expectant Mother?

Affecting one in a hundred pregnancies makes this condition a lot more common than most women realise. However there are certain factors, which could make a woman more at risk of an Ectopic Pregnancy.

• If they have had Chlamydia in the past, their chances of having an Ectopic Pregnancy are increased

  Ectopic Pregnancy – What Every Woman Needs To Know

An ectopic pregnancy, sometimes called a tubal pregnancy, happens when a fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the lining of the uterus. Most ectopic pregnancies occur in the fallopian tube but other places where an ectopic can implant are the abdominal cavity, ovary or cervix. Ectopic pregnancies are sometimes difficult to diagnose. Symptoms are very similar to normal pregnancy symptoms and some women have no symptoms at all. When a pregnancy starts to develop somewhere other than the uterus there is no room for the placenta to attach or the pregnancy to grow and develop properly. A pregnancy that develops inside the fallopian tube will eventually rupture if left untreated. Complications from a ruptured tube can be life threatening. In fact, ectopic pregnancy is the leading cause of maternal death in the first trimester. A ruptured tube is a medical emergency.

Here are ten ectopic pregnancy symptoms you should not ignore.

1. Vaginal spotting or bleeding: One of the first warning signs of an ectopic pregnancy is spotting or bleeding. Although bleeding in early pregnancy does not always mean there is something wrong with the pregnancy, if you have spotting or bleeding you should report this to your doctor. Some other causes of spotting during pregnancy are implantation bleeding, subchorionic hematoma, irritation of the cervix, or miscarriage.

2. Slow rising hCG levels: Your doctor may run a quantitative hCG test in early pregnancy if you are having vaginal spotting or if he suspects ectopic pregnancy. Slow rising hCG levels can be an indicator of an ectopic pregnancy. During a normal pregnancy, hCG levels will double every two to three days in early pregnancy. With an ectopic pregnancy, hCG levels may rise but they tend to go up very slowly and not double like they should. If your hCG levels are low or not doubling your doctor may order more blood work or an ultrasound to rule out ectopic pregnancy or other complications.

3. Cramping: Mild cramping during early pregnancy is normal, but severe cramping or cramping accompanied with spotting, is not normal and could be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy. Cramping may be on one side or may feel like menstrual cramps.

4. Dizziness: Dizziness is another sign of an ectopic pregnancy. Dizziness may be a result of internal bleeding. Dizziness can also be caused by not eating enough, anemia, or not getting enough sleep.

5. Pain on one side: Pain on one side is something that you should alert your doctor about. Women may notice mild to severe abdominal pain located on one side. Not all women with ectopic pregnancies will notice pain. Once the tube has ruptured the pain will become more severe.

6: Rectal pressure, gas pain, or feeling constipated: Sometimes the pain from an ectopic can be mistaken for gas pain or constipation. If internal bleeding has occurred, this can put pressure on the rectal area and can be mistaken for gas pain or constipation. If you are having severe gas pain during early pregnancy don’t dismiss this. Call your doctor.

7. Low blood pressure: If the ectopic pregnancy goes undiagnosed and there is internal bleeding, this can cause a woman’s blood pressure to drop. She may feel short of breath, tired, or have a drop in blood pressure.

8. Shoulder pain: Shoulder pain may result after the ectopic pregnancy has ruptured. The internal bleeding caused from the rupturing may cause irritation of the nerves which results in shoulder pain. Shoulder pain is an indicator that the tube has already ruptured and if you notice shoulder pain, especially if it is accompanied with other ectopic pregnancy symptoms, you should get immediate medical attention.

9. Nausea: Nausea is also a symptom. Since morning sickness is very common during early pregnancy, this symptom may be hard to distinguish from normal pregnancy symptoms.

10. Shock: If the fallopian tube ruptures, a woman will have internal bleeding and may go into shock from all of the bleeding. Ectopic pregnancies can be life threatening. A ruptured tube will require hospitalization, surgery, and possibly a blood transfusion. If you have any symptoms of shock such as cold clammy skin, anxiety, dizziness, sweating, feeling weak, fainting, or having a rapid but weak pulse you should call 911 immediately.

Ectopic Pregnancy – Ten Symptoms You Should Not Ignore

Ovarian failureIf the woman does not have any ovaries, or they do not produce any eggs, -she will not be able to conceive without assistance. Her ovaries may have been damaged, for example as a result of chemotherapy, or removed in surgery. Alternatively she may suffer from a genetic condition such as Turner’s syndrome, in which they fail to develop, or polycystic ovary syndrome, where they do not produce mature eggs. Sometimes when a woman is quite young her ovaries may simply stop functioning, in which case she may go through an early menopause. Alternatively she may suffer from a hormone deficiency which means that she is unable to ovulate or ovulates so irregularly that it is extremely difficult for her to become pregnant.

AgeThis is the most common reason for failure to ovulate. Women usually become infertile between the ages of 40 and 50. Less well-known is the rapid decline in fertility in most women from the age of 35 onwards. Although it takes older women longer to get pregnant, it is not helpful to tell them to wait before seeking medical help, since they cannot afford that extra delay.

Tubal damageDamage to the fallopian tubes can cause infertility. It is thought to be on the increase due to the spread of diseases of the reproductive system and prolonged use of contraception, in particular intra-uterine devices. Tubal damage can prevent the sperm from reaching the egg at all. Alternatively it can stop the fertilised egg from travelling down into the womb. Some¬times this results in the egg implanting in the fallopian tube, resulting in an ectopic pregnancy, which can be life-threatening and lead to further damage or the loss of the tube altogether.

Pregnancy Fertility Problems – Ovarian Failure, Age And Tubal Damage

Treatment an ectopic pregnancy is different for every woman, depending on the size and location where the egg implants itself, and what type of pregnancy complications are involved.

Ectopic pregnancy is the leading cause of death amongst women in the first few months of their pregnancy period, so consult a doctor immediately, if you notice anything abnormal that may be symptomatic of an ectopic pregnancy.

The first stage in the treatment involves elimination of the dangerous non-viable intrauterine pregnancy, to minimize the risk for the mother. In this, the doctor always tries to protect future pregnancy prospects for the mother.

Complications include the reduced probability of further conception; however, this greatly depends on the extent of damage to the internal organs. Future pregnancies must only be planned after proper consultation with a doctor.

Treatment Options Include -

An early pregnancy that is ectopic in nature can at times be cured with a methotrexate injection that will dissolve the fertilized egg. This is advantageous for the mother, as it prevents scarring of the pelvic organs. Since ectopic pregnancies do not give rise to live births, look out for symptoms, so that an early treatment course can be undertake.

If the ectopic nature of your pregnancy is detected in the later stages, along with pregnancy complications, then surgery may be necessary. Nowadays, the less invasive laparoscopy surgery method is widely used in its treatment. If a woman’s fallopian tube has ruptured, then before pregnancy complications develop, an emergency surgery through an abdominal incision (laparatomy) may become necessary. In very few cases, the doctor is able to repair the damaged fallopian tube, which gets removed in most instances.

After the surgery, one needs close monitoring of her HCG (pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin) levels. If this level does not show a zero reading, then additional surgery may be required for any left out ectopic tissue.

Your chance of a future pregnancy depends on the place where you had the egg implanted. If both your fallopian tubes are intact, then the probability of a successful future pregnancy is about 60%. However, if you have had one ectopic pregnancy, then the chance of a second also increases. So, doctors always advise to be aware of the symptoms, so that early treatment is done.

In a few cases, treatment of an ectopic pregnancy may be done through expectant management. This involves close observation and constant monitoring, and no treatment is given. Expectant management is undertaken in very few cases, where it is anticipated that the it will automatically resolve. However, until the condition completely normalizes, the risk of a rupture always remains.Treatment of ectopic pregnancy no doubt exists, but, why don’t you try to prevent it and also cut down on certain risk factors. This can be done by avoiding multiple sexual partners, and also using a condom while intercourse. This will help avoid STD’s and reduce the chances of PIDs (pelvic inflammatory diseases).

Treatment Of An Ectopic Pregnancy

Dictionary meaning of ectopic is “out of place”. In an ectopic pregnancy a fertilized egg implants itself outside the uterus. The egg settles itself in the fallopian tube. This is the reason that ectopic pregnancy is sometimes also called as tubal pregnancy.

The fallopian tube neither has the space nor the nurturing tissues as uterus have. With the time when fetus grows it attempts to burst the tube. This results in a severe bleeding and danger to the life of the pregnant mother.

Signs and Symptoms of Ectopic PregnancyEctopic pregnancy is not very easy to diagnose by its symptoms. As the symptoms of normal pregnancy and that of ectopic pregnancy are more or less the same. These includes missed period, nausea, morning sickness and vomiting.

The first warning sign of ectopic pregnancy is the heavy vaginal bleeding accompanied by pain in pelvis, abdomen and sometimes on shoulder too. The pain is stabbing and sharp. It comes and goes. It may be more on the one side of the pelvis.

These above symptoms may be followed by the following symptoms and the cause behind can be the heavy blood loss

Cause of Ectopic PregnancyThe ectopic pregnancy is caused due to the failure of the fertilized egg to find its way through the fallopian tube to the uterus quickly. This delay in finding the path by egg is caused by some infection of the fallopian tube. Scar tissues due to some previous abdominal surgery may also hinder the egg to reach the uterus thus causing ectopic pregnancy.

It is always advised to make regular visits to the doctor, so that any upcoming problem could be timely diagnosed and properly treated.

Serious Pregnancy Complications – Ectopic Pregnancy

When most women think about very early symptoms of pregnancy, they automatically assume that a missed period is the top symptom. Would you be surprised that a missed period isn’t even in the top 5 very early symptoms of pregnancy?

Here are five very early signs of pregnancy that can be noticed by a sensitive mother-to-be. And, all five can happen long before a period has been missed.

Elevated Basal Body Temperature

The body’s basal  temperature (the lowest body temperature that happens during rest) begins to elevate after ovulation, and stays  elevated beyond your next expected period. Ovulation is when a mature egg is released  from the ovary and pushed down the fallopian tube and is ready to be fertilized by a sperm. The implantation of a fertilized egg normally takes place 6 to 12 days after ovulation – that’s about two to three weeks before the next period is missed.

This one-half to one degree Fahrenheit increase in basal body temperature  is a subtle early warning sign of pregnancy. This change in basal body temperature, which is measured by a special, more accurate thermometer, can happen as early as two days after ovulation. And, that can be two weeks before you notice a missed period.

Breast Tenderness, Nipple Enlargement And Increased Breast Size

Changes and increased swelling and tenderness in the breast and nipples are one of the classic very early signs of pregnancy. Many times, a woman may notice these changes and blame them on a particularly ill-fitting or uncomfortable bra or other article of clothing. But, the sensitive woman will notice these changes for what they are – a new life is beginning to grow inside her with the new pregnancy.

Nipples, particularly the dark area around the nipple called the areola, enlarge and darken in anticipation of breastfeeding the new infant. These changes are due almost entirely to hormone releases in the body, all in anticipation of sustaining the new life within. Some experts say the darkening of the areolas serves a purpose – helping the newly born child find the nipple easier for feeding. These changes to the breast and nipple areas should return to normal after birth.

Nausea And Vomiting-

Also known as “morning sickness,” this early and uncomfortable sign of pregnancy usually targets women and begins around the sixth  week of pregnancy, but often occurs earlier. About half of all expecting mothers have morning sickness – which may or may not include vomiting. But, it usually always features nausea. Often attributed to increased hormone levels in the body, some doctors feel that morning sickness is  a good sign that the baby is healthy and is developing normally, and the pregnancy is progressing well. If your morning sickness is accompanied with vomiting, be  sure to stay hydrated, keep your electrolyte levels within range. and get plenty of rest and nap throughout the day.

Constipation

Another subtle and often overlooked pregnancy clue is constipation – defined as less that three bowel movements per week. Who doesn’t get constipated at one time or another – without being pregnant?

The constantly changing level of the hormone progesterone, which slows down the movement of food through your digestive system, can wreak havoc with the frequency and timing of bowel movements.  Many women who are pregnant but don’t realize it may just write constipation off as an unrelated, and irritating issue. Like changes in the breasts, paying close attention here really can make tell a story.

Fatigue And Exhaustion

There is a big difference between fatigue and tiredness. Feeling tired and sleepy after a long day’s work is completely normal and expected. Sleep, which usually happens after tiredness, is the remedy for a body needing rest, as sleep allows the body to repair itself and ready itself for another hard day.

Fatigue, on the other hand, is not a normal bodily function and is usually a sign of some other condition. Technically speaking, fatigue really has nothing to do with a tired body, as sleep will not normally resolve fatigue. Fatigue can be a sign of disease such as certain cancers, auto-immune disorders and a host of other conditions – including pregnancy.

Fatigue can also be a sure sign of an early pregnancy, usually occurring during the first trimester and often partially blamed on a dramatic rise in the level of the hormone progesterone. Pregnancy also can put a huge strain on every bodily function – it’s no wonder that you may feel totally exhausted before the day is through.

Are you experiencing one or more of these very early symptoms of pregnancy? If you have even the slightest idea that you may be pregnant, get a home pregnancy test from your local drug store and test yourself. Then, you’ll know for sure and if positive, you can then notify your doctor and start taking care of your new baby.

Before a Missed Period – Very Early Symptoms of Pregnancy