I understand how scared and sad you must feel when the doctor tells you that the pregnancy you were looking forward to is an ' ectopic pregnancy '. Hearing those words must have made your whole world feel like it had come crashing down. But don't worry. This is not your fault. Let's talk about this situation, what can be done, and what the treatment options are.
Simply put, what is an ectopic pregnancy?
Normally, a fertilized egg travels down the fallopian tube, implants, and begins to develop as a baby inside the uterus . This is because only the uterus has all the space, nutrition, and protection a baby needs to grow properly.
However, in an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg implants somewhere outside the uterus. More than 90% of the time, it happens in the Fallopian tube . That's why it's sometimes called a "tubal pregnancy." Because of a problem with the egg or the tube, the egg is unable to complete its journey to the uterus.
The most important thing is that there is no way a baby can grow outside the womb. So, unfortunately, all unplanned pregnancies have to be terminated. This is a life-threatening condition, so it is essential to seek treatment quickly.
How do you choose the best doctor for you?
In the past, surgery was often the only option for this condition. But now, with advances in medical science, it is often possible to control this condition with medication. Your doctor will decide how to treat you based on several factors:
- How long does it take to get pregnant: Is this early, or has it been a while?
- Location of the embryo : Where it is in the fallopian tube and whether it has been damaged.
- Your symptoms: Are you having any severe symptoms, such as severe pain or bleeding?
- hCG hormone levels: This test measures the level of this hormone produced by the body during pregnancy.
Based on these factors, your doctor will decide whether medication or surgery is better for you.
| Treatment method | Description and who is best suited for? |
|---|---|
| Medication | This method is suitable for those who are in the early stages of pregnancy, have low hCG hormone levels, and have not had any damage to the fallopian tubes. An injection called Methotrexate is given. |
| Surgery | If medications are ineffective, hCG levels are high, there are severe symptoms, or the fallopian tube has ruptured, surgery is definitely necessary. |
Drug treatment (Methotrexate Injection)
Let's look at this in a little more detail. If your condition is not severe, your doctor may decide to give you a shot called Methotrexate .
What happens with this medicine?
Simply put, what this vaccine does is stop the cells involved in pregnancy from dividing rapidly. Then, over time, the body is able to gradually absorb and remove that tissue.
Things to know
- Side effects: This medicine can cause some minor side effects. These include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, stomach pain , and sometimes mouth ulcers. It is also common to experience stomach pain for two to three days after taking the vaccine.
- Monitoring: You don't need to stay in the hospital like you used to. This can be done on an outpatient basis. However, your doctor will continue to monitor your hCG hormone levels with blood tests for several weeks. It is very important to make sure that the levels have dropped to zero. Sometimes, the levels may not decrease with one injection. If that happens, you may need to get another injection.
Cases where surgery is required
If medication fails to control the condition, surgery is the next step. Also, for those with very high hCG levels, severe symptoms, and those with ruptured or damaged fallopian tubes, surgery is the only option.
Types of surgery
Nowadays, surgeries are performed using the most advanced methods.
- Laparoscopic Surgery: This is the most preferred method by doctors. It is also called "key-hole surgery." Here, one or more small incisions are made in the abdomen, through which a camera and delicate instruments are inserted to remove the pregnancy. This can lead to a faster recovery.
- Open surgery (Laparotomy): In an emergency, especially if the tube ruptures and there is excessive bleeding inside the body, a traditional surgery is performed through a larger incision in the abdomen.
What happens to the fallopian tube?
- If the tube can be saved (Salpingostomy): If the damage to the tube is minimal, the doctor will try to save the tube and carefully remove only the pregnancy inside it.
- If the tube has to be removed (Salpingectomy): If the tube has ruptured and is severely damaged, the entire fallopian tube will have to be removed.
After surgery, your hCG levels will be monitored to make sure the pregnancy has been completely eliminated. Some people may also be given a methotrexate injection after surgery.
Warning Signs - Pay special attention to these!
Sometimes, before you even know you have an ectopic pregnancy, your fallopian tube can rupture. This is a life-threatening emergency. If you experience any of these symptoms, go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) without delay.
- Sudden, unbearable, severe pain in the stomach or lower abdomen.
- Shoulder tip pain (This occurs when blood flows into the body and touches the diaphragm muscle)
- Feeling of extreme weakness, dizziness, or fainting.
- Sweating and cold skin.
Don't stay home at a time like this. Don't drive alone. Get to a hospital as soon as possible with someone's help.
Take-Home Message
- An ectopic pregnancy is when a fetus implants outside the uterus. This is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
- The treatment method (medication or surgery) is determined by factors such as the severity of your condition and your hCG hormone levels.
- Symptoms such as sudden severe abdominal pain, dizziness, and shoulder pain may be due to a ruptured fallopian tube. If this happens , go to the Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- This is a very difficult experience, both physically and mentally. It's normal to feel sad and angry. Talk about this with your husband, family, or a trusted friend.
- Don't be afraid of having a miscarriage. Most women go on to have successful, healthy pregnancies. Be hopeful and talk to your doctor for advice before trying to get pregnant again.
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