If you are a woman who finds herself in the exciting condition of being pregnant, and you have vaginal bleeding, abdominal cramping or pain, or pain during bowel movements, you should seek the advice of your doctor right away. These are some of the main symptoms of a tubal, or ectopic, pregnancy.
What exactly is a tubal pregnancy? A tubal pregnancy, also called an ectopic pregnancy, is a pregnancy in which the fertilized egg attaches to an area outside the uterus – most frequently one of the fallopian tubes. A viable, normal pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg moves through the fallopian tube and attaches to the uterine lining, where it will remain and grow throughout the pregnancy.
Will a baby be able to grow and be born if the pregnancy is tubal? No, the fallopian tubes are not designed to support the growth of a fertilized egg to a baby. The necessary nutrients are not present, and the tube cannot stretch enough to house a foetus for very long. Frequently, the fallopian tube suffers damage to some degree as a result of the ectopic pregnancy, even when the tubal pregnancy is discovered early.
How do you know if you have an ectopic pregnancy? It can be difficult to tell the difference between a normal, intrauterine pregnancy and an abnormal, tubal pregnancy in the beginning. Both types of pregnancies have the same types of symptoms, which include missed periods, some tenderness in the breasts, and nausea or vomiting. Sometimes, the ectopic embryo will be expelled by the body with no intervention, as the body’s way of stopping a non-viable pregnancy. Often, however, a tubal pregnancy will require medical attention.
About five to eight weeks into a tubal pregnancy is when you are most likely to have some symptoms that indicate the pregnancy is ectopic. You may suffer from cramping or pain in the pelvic area; frequently the pain will be on one side only. There may also be vaginal bleeding or spotting. Any pregnant woman who presents with these complaints should be tested to see if the pregnancy is ectopic. The doctor will most likely do a manual pelvic exam as well as blood work and some sort of imaging test, such as an ultrasound. The risks associated with ectopic pregnancies make testing quite necessary, as ectopic pregnancies are abnormal, are not viable, and may have severe or even life-threatening consequences to the mother.
Who is most at risk for developing a tubal pregnancy? If you have already had one or more ectopic pregnancies, you are at greater risk to have another. Your doctor should be immediately made aware of your previous tubular pregnancy. If you have had fertility issues and have taken medications intended to increase your fertility by stimulating ovulation, you are at increased risk. If you have had an infection of the fallopian tubes or uterus, again, the risk of ectopic pregnancy is greater. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and some sexually transmitted diseases can also increase the chances of developing an ectopic pregnancy, as can becoming pregnant while using chemical contraceptives.
