Ectopic pregnancy when is it dangerous

It is important to let doctors know about past ectopic pregnancies. This can help them detect any future ectopic pregnancy more quickly. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when an embryo settles in tissue outside of the womb, often in a fallopian tube. Without swift treatment, this can cause life threatening complications for the pregnant person. Treatment cannot preserve the pregnancy, however. The symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy may begin as early as week 4 and as late as week Diagnosing the issue may involve a combination of pregnancy tests, symptom assessment, and ultrasound imaging.

Receiving an early diagnosis can reduce the likelihood of complications, including fallopian tube damage and internal bleeding. The treatment may involve surgery, but a drug-based treatment may be an option when a doctor detects an ectopic pregnancy early. Infertility or a couple being unable to conceive a child can cause significant stress and unhappiness.

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Sadly, there's no definite way to prevent an ectopic pregnancy. Her advice: Limit sexual partners, practice safe sex to protect yourself from STIs, and get early diagnosis and treatment for any STIs. It's also a good idea to quit smoking and douching.

And Dr. Levie stresses visiting the doctor as soon as you find out you're pregnant, so you can confirm the pregnancy is located in the right place. By Tamekia Reece Updated February 24, Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.

Save Pin FB More. Woman in bed in hospital. Pelvic inflammatory disease Previous pelvic or abdominal surgery, such as removal of an ovarian cyst Pregnancy after reversal of tubal ligation Pregnancy through in vitro fertilization IVF or fertility drugs Certain STIs, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea Endometriosis Getting pregnant with an IUD in place Age 35 or over Cigarette smoking Douching Your mother took DES diethylstilbestrol while pregnant with you Prior C-Section: "Ectopic pregnancies within the C-section scar , known as cesarean scar ectopics, are especially rare but the risk increases with the number of C-sections," says Dr.

Sudden, severe, sharp pain in the abdomen or pelvic area Vaginal bleeding Shoulder pain Fainting or feeling faint Weakness or dizziness.

Normally, the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants and grows outside the main cavity of the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy most often occurs in a fallopian tube, which carries eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. This type of ectopic pregnancy is called a tubal pregnancy. Sometimes, an ectopic pregnancy occurs in other areas of the body, such as the ovary, abdominal cavity or the lower part of the uterus cervix , which connects to the vagina.

An ectopic pregnancy can't proceed normally. The fertilized egg can't survive, and the growing tissue may cause life-threatening bleeding, if left untreated. You may not notice any symptoms at first. However, some women who have an ectopic pregnancy have the usual early signs or symptoms of pregnancy — a missed period, breast tenderness and nausea. If you take a pregnancy test, the result will be positive.

Still, an ectopic pregnancy can't continue as normal. Often, the first warning signs of an ectopic pregnancy are light vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain. An ectopic pregnancy may be located in many different places, including a fallopian tube, an ovary, the cervix, and the abdomen. Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy vary and may not occur until the structure containing the ectopic pregnancy ruptures.

Most women have vaginal bleeding or spotting, cramping or pain in the lower abdomen, or both. Menstrual periods may or may not be late or missed. Some women do not suspect that they are pregnant.

When the structure ruptures, the woman usually feels severe, constant pain in the lower abdomen. If the woman has significant blood loss, she may faint, sweat, or feel light-headed. These symptoms may indicate that she has lost so much blood that she has dangerously low blood pressure shock Shock Shock is a life-threatening condition in which blood flow to the organs is low, decreasing delivery of oxygen and thus causing organ damage and sometimes death. Blood pressure is usually low Doctors suspect an ectopic pregnancy in women who are of childbearing age and who have lower abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding, faint, or go into shock.

In such women, a pregnancy test is done. If the pregnancy test is positive or, rarely, if the test is negative but symptoms still suggest ectopic pregnancy, ultrasonography is done using a handheld device inserted into the vagina called transvaginal ultrasonography.

If ultrasonography detects a fetus in a location other than its usual place in the uterus, the diagnosis is confirmed. If ultrasonography does not detect a fetus anywhere, ectopic pregnancy is still possible, or the pregnancy may be in the uterus but be so early that it cannot be seen.

Doctors also do blood tests to measure a hormone produced by the placenta early in pregnancy called human chorionic gonadotropin hCG. This test can help doctors determine whether the pregnancy is too early for the fetus to be visible in the uterus or is an ectopic pregnancy. If needed to confirm the diagnosis, doctors may use a viewing tube called a laparoscope, inserted through a small incision just below the navel.

This procedure enables them to view an ectopic pregnancy directly. In most women, the fetus and placenta must be removed surgically, usually with a laparoscope Laparoscopy Sometimes doctors recommend screening tests, which are tests that are done to look for disorders in people who have no symptoms. If women have symptoms related to the reproductive system gynecologic