One of the most special periods in a woman's life is the pregnancy process. During this time, women experience many physiological and psychological changes as they witness many firsts in their lives.

However, if pregnancy does not progress normally and healthily, and the fertilized egg that initiates the pregnancy begins to grow outside the uterus, then the dream of pregnancy is cut short. An ectopic pregnancy, if left untreated, can even lead to life-threatening risks.

What is an ectopic pregnancy?

Pregnancy begins with the fertilization of the egg. Normally, the fertilized egg implants and attaches to the inner lining of the uterus. In the case of an ectopic pregnancy, the egg usually implants outside the main cavity of the uterus, most often in the fallopian tubes, where it begins to grow.

Also called ectopic pregnancy, in this condition the fertilized egg cannot survive outside the uterus and the pregnancy cannot succeed. Moreover, if the growing tissue is not treated, it can cause bleeding that may lead to life-threatening complications.

What causes ectopic pregnancy?

Ectopic pregnancy most often occurs in one of the tubes that carry eggs from the ovary to the uterus. The reason for this is that the fallopian tubes are malformed, inflamed, or deformed. The most common cause is having had previous surgery related to the tubes.

In this condition, known as tubal pregnancy, the egg gets stuck in one of these tubes on its way to the uterus.

Hormonal imbalances or abnormal development of the fertilized egg can also be determining factors in ectopic pregnancy. Additionally, previous miscarriages or ectopic pregnancies increase the risk of recurrence. Other contributing factors include;

• Sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea or chlamydia
• Surgical interventions to repair the fallopian tubes
• In vitro fertilization (IVF) or similar fertility treatments
• Contraceptive methods
• There is also a higher risk of ectopic pregnancy after tubal ligation procedures.

What are the symptoms of ectopic pregnancy?

Normally, ectopic pregnancy does not show symptoms for a certain period, but some women may start experiencing early pregnancy symptoms.

A pregnancy test may even be positive, but since the egg cannot survive outside the uterus, the pregnancy cannot continue normally. Symptoms begin to appear as the fertilized egg grows.

These symptoms include;

• Breast tenderness
• Delayed menstrual period
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pelvic pain
• Vaginal bleeding
• Dizziness and fainting
• Increased pressure inside the abdomen
• Digestive system disorders
• Sharp, stabbing pain in the abdomen
• Internal bleeding due to fallopian tube rupture
• Shock

How is ectopic pregnancy treated?

Since there is no possibility for a fertilized egg to grow outside the uterus, the ectopic tissue must be removed. If the ectopic pregnancy is detected early, medication is injected to stop the growth of the cells and neutralize the developed cells.

If a follow-up test shows a high level of HCG in the blood, laparoscopic surgery is preferred. A small incision near the navel is made, and the area is examined with a laparoscope. If the fallopian tubes are damaged, they are repaired; however, if the damage is extensive, urgent surgery is required.

In such cases, removal of the fallopian tubes is necessary. Ultimately, the ectopic pregnancy is terminated, and with the required interventions, the patient's health is restored.
Bahçeşehir obstetrics and gynecology specialist