Signs and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy is one in which the fertilized egg never reaches the uterus, but is attached to one of the fallopian tubes, an ovary, or the abdominal cavity.Signs of ectopic pregnancy canmanifest only at week 4–5Photo: GettyThe danger lies in the fact that, starting to develop in the wrong place, the embryo can harm the reproductive system of the mother. When it begins to grow, organs that are unsuitable for carrying a child are injured. Often, internal bleeding or rupture of the fallopian tube results from a pathological pregnancy. In the early stages, signs of ectopic pregnancy can be:
- nagging pain in the ovaries or in the uterus;
- early onset of toxicosis;
- aching pain in the abdomen, radiating to the lower back;
- spotting or heavy bleeding from the vagina;
- increased body temperature;
- reduced pressure;
- severe dizziness and fainting.
At first, a woman experiences the samesensations, as with successful conception, and warning signs can appear only on the 4th week. Unfortunately, if the listed symptoms are absent, it will be possible to identify an ectopic pregnancy only at the moment when she declares herself an emergency.
What to do if you suspect an ectopic pregnancy?
If you have any feeling that you suspectIf you have an ectopic pregnancy, consult a gynecologist immediately. The first signs that should alert both the doctor and the woman are a low hCG level and a negative or weakly positive result on the test strip. Perhaps a low hCG level indicates hormonal imbalances, and a negative test indicates the absence of pregnancy, so you should not diagnose yourself ahead of time. If the doctor confirms that the pregnancy is pathological, there is only one way out - removal of the embryo. The best method for terminating an ectopic pregnancy is laparoscopy. The procedure allows you to carefully remove the fetus and preserve the health of the woman, without depriving her of the opportunity to become pregnant again. Symptoms of a pathological pregnancy should be recognized as early as possible, only in this case the risk to the health and life of the woman is minimized. After a course of special treatment, she will be able to become pregnant again and safely carry the baby.