There are many types of complications in pregnancy. One of these pregnancy complications is an ectopic pregnancy, sometimes also referred to as tubal pregnancy.

What is Ectopic Pregnancy?

In an ectopic pregnancy, the egg implants outside the uterine cavity. In simple terms, a pregnancy that develops outside the womb, generally in one of the fallopian tubes, is called an ectopic pregnancy or tubal pregnancy. However, it is not necessary that pregnancy would develop in the fallopian tube only. Pregnancy implantation can also occur in the cervix, ovaries, and abdomen. Such cases of pregnancies are often called heterotopic pregnancy and they are more likely to happen if the pregnant woman has undergone fertility treatments like in-vitro fertilization (IVF). An ectopic pregnancy is a potential medical emergency case which, if left unattended, can lead to the death of the pregnant woman.

Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy

In most of the cases of ectopic pregnancy, early symptoms are not recognizable due to their subtlety and similarity to some of the other normal pregnancy symptoms. Clinically, an ectopic pregnancy is diagnosed at an average of 7.2 weeks after the last normal menstrual period, with a range of 5 to 8 weeks pregnancy. Most of the ectopic pregnancy signs resemble those of other diseases like appendicitis, urinary infections, gastrointestinal disorder, pelvic inflammatory disease and other gynaecologic problems.

• • Severe and persistent pain in one side of the lower abdomen is the most common symptom of ectopic pregnancy. Pain can be accompanied by abdomen inflammation and strong cramps. Pain while urinating and having bowel movement.
• • Vaginal bleeding that is generally mild in nature. Sometimes, this is mistaken as a sign of early miscarriage or implantation bleeding (spotting) which is a normal early pregnancy symptom. At other times, when pregnancy has yet not been detected, this type of vaginal bleeding can be mistaken as menstrual bleeding. However, the blood in this case has different characteristics than those in periods- it is often dark and watery.
• • Feeling dizzy, queasiness and suffering from diarrhea. The pregnant woman sometimes collapses or faints after these symptoms occur.

Internal Bleeding in Ectopic Pregnancy

Apart from external vaginal bleeding which is due to the falling progesterone levels, there are instances of internal bleeding in ectopic pregnancy if the complication is not detected and treated at the right time. This internal bleeding or hematoperitoneum is due to ruptured fallopian tube. In cases of ruptured ectopic pregnancy, the pregnant woman can experience the following symptoms

• • Lower back pain as well as abdominal or pelvic pain.
• • Shoulder pain which is caused by free blood tracking up the abdominal cavity and and cause irritation to other internal body organs, such as the diaphragm.
• • Cramps and sometimes a feeling of tenderness on one side of the pelvis.

Whenever, a pregnant woman feels the above symptoms or any other signs that are not normal during pregnancy, she must consult her doctor as soon as possible because ectopic pregnancy is a very risky medical condition that needs emergency treatment at the very first stages, whenever it is detected.