Pregnancy

Literal meaning of ectopic is out of place. An ectopic pregnancy is a condition when a fertilized egg settles and grows in any location other than the inner lining of uterus. So you can say an ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that develops outside a women's uterus/womb.

This most common place where ectopic pregnancy occurs is in the fallopian tube and hence it is also known as tubal pregnancy. But ectopic pregnancy can also occur in the cervix, ovaries and abdomen as well.

Statistics reveal that 1 out of every 60 pregnancy is a case of ectopic pregnancy. The areas where ectopic pregnancy occurs are too small for a normal pregnancy development.

As the fetus grows, it will eventually burst the organ that contains it, this can cause severe bleeding and endanger the mother's life.

A classical ectopic pregnancy never develops into a live birth. But the situation can be controlled by proper diagnosis under the guidance of an experienced gynecologist or medical practitioner.

Signs and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy

In case of ectopic pregnancy it is always good to identify the symbols the soonest possible. To reduce the life risk factors associated with ectopic pregnancy, it is critical to get diagnosed and treated as soon as there is hint of the problem. Some very common signs/symptoms of ectopic pregnancy are:-

Mild or severe pain in abdomen or pelvis. You may feel it only on one side, but in can be anywhere in abdomen or pelvis and is sometimes accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
Brown vaginal spotting or light bleeding.
Shoulder or neck pain, caused by the buildup of blood under the diaphragm when the tube ruptures.
Weak pulse, clammy skin and regular fainting are very common in ectopic pregnancy.
Sharp abdominal cramps are also very common symptom of ectopic pregnancy.

Once you experience any such symptoms call your health provider as soon as possible. Treatment of an ectopic pregnancy usually consists of surgery called laparoscopy.

Unless the fallopian tube has irreparable damage, it is usually possible to save it. It will improve your chance for successful conception in future.

As always, it's important to consult with your health care provider before you are planning to get pregnant. This way ensure the best care for your baby and yourself and reduce the risks associated with ectopic pregnancy.