Symptoms
of Ectopic Pregnancy
Below
is a list of symptoms of ectopic pregnancy:
- sharp,
one sided pain
- mild
to severe cramping
on one side
- low
abdominal pain
- low
back pain
- spotting
or bleeding
- fainting
or dizziness
- nausea
- shoulder
pain
What
Causes an Ectopic Pregnancy
Several
factors can contribute to your chances of having an ectopic
pregnancy. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, PID, is one of the
leading contributing factors to developing an ectopic pregnancy.
Other possible causes of ectopic pregnancy include previous
tubal surgery (including a tubal ligation), endometriosis,
IUD, progesterone only birth control pills, congenital abnormalities
of the fallopian tubes, and smoking. Women who's mothers took
the medication DES (diethlystilbestol) during pregnancy are
also at greater risk for developing an ectopic pregnancy.
Diagnosing
an Ectopic Pregnancy
Your
doctor will likely run blood tests including HCG
levels and may perform an ultrasound as well.
HCG levels are lower and do not double
within 48-72 hours as they would during a normal
pregnancy. HCG levels may sometimes rise, but they will rise
very slowly. Ultrasound may be helpful in determining the
location of pregnancy.
Treatment
of an Ectopic Pregnancy
If
the ectopic pregnancy has not ruptured and is below 3.5 cm
in size the drug methotrexate may be used. Methotrexate is
given by injection and can be used to induce miscarriage.
Methotrexate works by stopping the growth of rapidly dividing
cells such as in pregnancy. If there is a risk of rupture,
surgery will be needed. A laparotomy is usually performed.
This involved cutting a small incision into the abdomen and
removing the fertilized egg and tissue.
