What is the outcome of ectopic pregnancy?
It does not mean necessary that in case of ectopic pregnancy the surrogate mother gets under a threat, as in most cases the fetus dies and it is absorbed. This usually occurs because there is too little space for him to grow and develop anywhere outside the uterine cavity, in addition the placenta can not get formed in a proper way.
However, in those cases, when the fetus in the ectopic pregnancy does not die, and if he continues to grow and develop, the thin wall of the Fallopian tube stretches, which causes the pain in the lower part of the abdomen. Simultaneously there may be some amount of vaginal bleeding. The growth and development of pregnancy makes the tube to rupture, resulting into internal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, which may even cause the woman to collapse.
What are the signs and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy?
The feelings which a woman may experience in case of an ectopic pregnancy vary from that of an acute abdominal pain and shock to that of the symptoms of a normal pregnancy. However, most women begin to feel some pain in the lower part of their abdomen somewhere between the sixth and tenth weeks of pregnancy. The pain is usually one – sided. As the pregnancy goes on, the feeling of pain becomes more and more severe; it diffuses throughout the whole abdominal cavity. There may be some vaginal spotting and bleeding, however, not always. It is also possible to experience pain in the shoulder in case of an ectopic pregnancy because of the internal bleeding, which causes irritation of the muscle of diaphragm
How is ectopic pregnancy diagnosed?
Nowadays there is no method, which may be considered 100% reliable in the ectopic pregnancy diagnosing procedure. Still to some methods, which help to suspect ectopic pregnancy blood analysis, ultrasound and laparoscopy may be referred.
Blood analysis. The blood analysis is performed in patients at risk of the ectopic pregnancy in order to measure the levels of beta hCG (which is also considered to be the “pregnancy hormone”), progesterone and other hormones, fallen levels of which may be signs of ectopic pregnancy (in case of normal pregnancy these hormones’ levels are higher). In case of a negative beta hCG result, the risk of significant ectopic pregnancy may be excluded, though virtually. It may be necessary to perform several measurements of beta hCG during the 48 hours period in order to see whether it is rising or falling.
In addition, it is not only that the ectopic pregnancy tends to produce lower levels of the hormones, mentioned above, than in case of a normal pregnancy, these hormones’ levels do not rise so rapidly as well.
Ultrasound scanning. This procedure has improved the possibility to diagnose ectopic pregnancy during the early terms greatly; moreover, the conservative treatment of it has become possible with the ultrasound development. In combination with the blood analysis, in which the “pregnancy hormones’” levels are raised and with the pregnancy test, which shows positive result it is possible to diagnose ectopic pregnancy by conducting the ultrasound investigation, which shows an empty uterine cavity in case of suspected diagnosis.
Laparascopy. It has been the best choice to use for diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy, and it is still remains the best method in case if any facility for either performing the blood test or ultrasound scanning is not available. During the laparoscopy procedure, the Fallopian tubes are investigated thoroughly as well as the ovaries. In case of a severe emergency (if a woman collapse), it may be necessary to apply the laparotomy and blood transfusion in order to provide the lost blood replacement.
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