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.