Ectopic Pregnancies And Their Risk Factors

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An ectopic pregnancy any pregnancy that takes place and implants itself outside the uterus. It is important to remember that any pregnancy that can last and develop into a healthy baby can only take place inside the uterus itself. It is impossible for a normal baby to develop outside the uterus except in extremely rare circumstances. Therefore, any pregnancy that is not within the uterus is considered to be a danger to the mother’s health and is one that should in most cases not continue.

The most common location of an ectopic pregnancy is one that occurs inside the fallopian tube which comprises 90 – 95% of all ectopic pregnancies. Occasionally they may occur in other places such as the pelvis, the ovary and the abdomen. When an ectopic pregnancy is discovered, it is extremely important to take proactive measures before the fetus develops further to prevent catastrophic bleeding and even death to the mother.

You may be asking yourself, “How are ectopic pregnancies diagnosed?” Sometimes, an ultrasound can find the location of the pregnancy and determine whether the pregnancy is occurring within or outside of the the uterus. If the ultrasound detects the pregnancy outside the uterus, then a diagnosis must be made and treatment must be given. Occasionally, the ultrasound might not be clear enough and may be inconclusive. In these situations, your doctor will utilize other tests including blood tests and tests to monitor hormone levels to determine whether or not you have an ectopic pregnancy.

Why do ectopic pregnancies occur? The most common factors that causes ectopic pregnancies are associated with the fallopian tube. Anything that causes the fallopian tube to be scarred or blocked in any way can possibly cause an ectopic pregnancy. Infections and complications associated with sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia can cause scarring or inflammation of the fallopian tube. Other risk factors include those who have had previous pelvic surgeries which can also cause scarring as well as those who have had previous ectopic pregnancies. While these risk factors are some of the most common, there can be other causes for ectopic pregnancies. It is important to note that most ectopic pregnancies occur for reasons that we simply do not understand. Most times, there is no reason for blame, it just happens. Women and pregnancies associated with these risk factors must be monitored closely.

There are two basic ways to treat ectopic pregnancies: medical treatments and surgical treatments. If you have been diagnosed with having an ectopic pregnancy, determining which treatment is appropriate for you often depends on a number of different factors related to you and your pregnancy including how advanced your pregnancy is, where the pregnancy is located and what condition you might be in at the time of the diagnosis. For these reasons it is crucial to speak with your doctor about the best course of action for you.