Ectopic pregnancy, as opposed to normal pregnancy, which takes place when the sperm fertilizes the egg in the womb, happens in the fallopian tubes. The ovaries or cervix can also become pregnant ectopically. The cervix and fallopian tubes are not designed to carry a fetus. Ectopic pregnancies need to be ended. Fortunately, women can take precautions to avoid this condition.
What does ectopic pregnancy mean?
The insertion of an embryo somewhere other than the uterine cavity’s endometrial lining is known as an ectopic pregnancy. If an ectopic pregnancy is not identified and treated immediately, it can result in life-threatening complications. It is challenging and calls for expert knowledge to detect it early.
How frequent are ectopic pregnancies?
The fact that the initial effective IVF was an ectopic pregnancy is an odd coincidence! The prevalence of clinical pregnancies brought on by ART ranges from 2.1% to 9.4%. The incidence of frozen embryo transfers is declining. Ectopic pregnancies occur in 1-2% of natural conceptions.
Dangers and causes of ectopic pregnancy
Many circumstances can result in ectopic pregnancies. They are frequently connected to other underlying disorders that present problems and increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy. A fallopian tube’s abnormal shape could be caused by abnormal growths or congenital disabilities, as well as by inflammation or infection that partially or completely blocks the tube. We refer to this as an obstructed fallopian tube.
Adhesions from surgery that prevent the egg from moving, scar tissue from a prior operation, or a fallopian tube disease.
What causes an ectopic pregnancy?
These pregnancies have a variety of causes. A patient may experience an ectopic pregnancy if their fallopian tubes are deformed, they have hormonal issues, or their fertilized eggs develop abnormalities. A person is in danger of getting an ectopic pregnancy for a few reasons. Some fertility procedures may make a woman more vulnerable. The uterus receives a fertilized egg during IVF, but uterine contractions may push the embryo toward the fallopian tubes. What steps may be taken to stop this from occurring?
Patients can take steps to reduce their chances of experiencing an ectopic pregnancy, but there is no foolproof way to prevent them entirely.
1. Beginning STI treatment right away
Ectopic pregnancy and problems with fertility are risk factors for STDs and STIs. Regular STD and STI testing is recommended for women since early identification results in more effective therapy. The uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries might develop inflammation if STIs and STDs are untreated. Infection of the reproductive organs can induce an ectopic pregnancy.
2. Quit smoking
Smoking contributes to several health issues, including ectopic pregnancy. Smoking has an impact on how the body functions. Those who want to get pregnant should stop smoking right away.
3. sperm transmigration inside the peritoneum
This medical ailment happens when sperm moves to the ovaries or fallopian tubes to fertilize an egg outside the uterine lining. Although this illness is spontaneous, women with injured or clogged fallopian tubes frequently get it. Doctors conduct a salpingostomy to clean up the fallopian tube to address this disease.
4. Consult a fertility expert
One of the best methods to understand more about ectopic pregnancies and avoidance is to speak with a fertility professional. An expert will perform the required tests to determine a person’s risk factors.
How is an ectopic pregnancy identified?
Ectopic pregnancy must be recognized as soon as possible for a better prognosis because it can cause the patient substantial clinical and psychological harm.
Physical symptoms and indicators, such as abdominal pain coupled with vaginal bleeding and hemodynamic instability, are used to diagnose.
The laboratory test combines transvaginal sonography and successive quantitative measures of serum -hCG. Beta hormone levels will be less than the range typical for similar gestational age, and ultrasound will demonstrate a missing intrauterine gestational sac. Typically, a gestational sac is seen when beta hcg levels are greater than 1500 IU/L.
How might this impact upcoming pregnancies?
Most women experiencing an ectopic pregnancy can go on to have safe pregnancies in the future. This is based on the medical intervention and the state of the fallopian tubes.
It can be more challenging to conceive again if a fallopian tube is cut or the tubes are damaged. The likelihood of conceiving again is roughly 60% if the tube is left in place and is still open. A fertility specialist must be consulted by women who desire to become pregnant again after experiencing an ectopic pregnancy, suggests ASRM.
It will be necessary to routinely check HCG levels until they are zero. Those who did not have their full fallopian tube removed must follow this procedure. Ectopic tissue could still be noticeable if the hCG level stays high. When this happens, an operation or a methotrexate injection is needed.
Conclusion
Ectopic pregnancy, or pregnancy in the fallopian tube instead of the womb, is still a potentially fatal problem. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is advised for women in danger of an ectopic pregnancy, particularly if they have already experienced multiple ectopic pregnancies. However, there is no 100% assurance that a woman will not experience an ectopic pregnancy after undergoing IVF.