Tubal Pregnancy http://tubalpregnancy.net/taxonomy/term/2/atom/feed 2008-07-02T15:27:57-06:00 Tubal Pregnancy In The Nutshell http://tubalpregnancy.net/content/tubal-pregnancy-nutshell 2008-07-08T11:11:41-06:00 2008-07-08T11:11:41-06:00 sonia An ectopic, or tubal, pregnancy happens when the fertilized egg does not reach its destination – the uterus – and instead becomes implanted in a fallopian tube. An ectopic pregnancy can be life threatening, so when a tubal pregnancy is diagnosed, treatment to remove the fertilized tissue is required.

]]> An ectopic, or tubal, pregnancy happens when the fertilized egg does not reach its destination – the uterus – and instead becomes implanted in a fallopian tube. An ectopic pregnancy can be life threatening, so when a tubal pregnancy is diagnosed, treatment to remove the fertilized tissue is required.

Treatment

If you are diagnosed with a tubular, a.k.a. tubal, a.k.a. ectopic, pregnancy, you have a couple of treatment options, but no matter which method is used, the ultimate result is the same. That is, removal of the foetal tissue. It is impossible for an ectopic pregnancy to be a viable pregnancy; the fallopian tube cannot sustain a pregnancy. Without treatment, the tube will rupture and the resulting excessive bleeding can lead to the death of the mother. All ectopic pregnancies must be treated, even though that may result in the damage or loss of a fallopian tube. If the pregnancy is determined to be tubal early enough, you may be able to avoid surgery by having an injection of methotrexate instead. Methotrexate ceases the growth of the egg and the cells are generally absorbed back into the bloodstream by the body.

If the use of medication is not an option or is unsuccessful, you will need to have surgery to remove the abnormal pregnancy. This may be laparoscopic surgery or the more “traditional” surgery involving general anaesthesia and an incision in the abdomen. Sometimes the surgery is emergency surgery; such would be the case if you are having a lot of bleeding or if the fallopian tube has already burst. Most doctors will attempt to save the tube if possible, but the primary purpose is to ensure the life and well being of the mother, so if it is necessary, the tube may be removed.
Discovery or Diagnosis

In the very early stages of an ectopic pregnancy, the symptoms are just like those of a healthy pregnancy. A little morning sickness, some breast tenderness, being tired, and missed periods – the same symptoms that lead to the pregnancy diagnosis. A little bit into the pregnancy, however, some other signs that the pregnancy may be ectopic may occur. Such symptoms include cramping or pain in the abdomen, spotting, and dizziness or light-headedness. If the pregnancy is not determined ectopic until the tube actually ruptures, the symptoms include severe, sharp, or sudden pain.

If you know you are pregnant or it is possible that you are pregnant, it is imperative that you seek medical care if you have any of the above symptoms, as ectopic pregnancies can have severe consequences. The earlier the tubular pregnancy is discovered, the more successful and less invasive treatment can be.

]]> Tubal Pregnancy: What Women Need to Know http://tubalpregnancy.net/content/tubal-pregnancy-what-women-need-know 2008-07-07T10:30:02-06:00 2008-07-07T08:53:15-06:00 sonia 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.

]]> 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.

]]> Ectopic Pregnancies - In the Know http://tubalpregnancy.net/content/ectopic-pregnancies-know 2008-07-03T14:39:00-06:00 2008-07-03T12:42:58-06:00 sonia An ectopic pregnancy is one in which the egg implants anywhere other than the uterus. In most cases, that “other place” is somewhere inside one of the fallopian tubes, so in common language, ectopic pregnancy, tubular pregnancy, and tubal pregnancy are pretty much used interchangeably. If the ectopic pregnancy is located in the cervix, ovary, or some other organ, your doctor will not refer to it as tubal, but it is still called ectopic.

]]> An ectopic pregnancy is one in which the egg implants anywhere other than the uterus. In most cases, that “other place” is somewhere inside one of the fallopian tubes, so in common language, ectopic pregnancy, tubular pregnancy, and tubal pregnancy are pretty much used interchangeably. If the ectopic pregnancy is located in the cervix, ovary, or some other organ, your doctor will not refer to it as tubal, but it is still called ectopic.

Modern Medicine and the Ectopic Pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancies are dangerous to the mother. They may cause future risk of ectopic pregnancies, cause infertility or decreased fertility, and may even cause excessive bleeding that can lead to the death of the mother.

Treatment of tubal pregnancies, however, has been improving greatly, although the mortality rate of mothers is still a concern, as are the less severe consequences associated with tubal pregnancies.

The successful treatment of ectopic pregnancies can be attributed to many improvements in modern medicine, such as:

• Improvements to and development of medications
• Improved surgical techniques
• Improved and better supply of blood
• Early detection of pregnancy

Risk Factors to be Aware Of

Although the exact causes of tubal pregnancy may remain unknown in some women, there are risk factors associated with the condition. They include:

• A previous ectopic pregnancy
• Having had abdominal surgery
• PID – pelvic inflammatory disease
• Damaged fallopian tubes
• Abnormally shaped fallopian tubes
• Using medications to stimulate ovulation
• In Vitro Fertilization
• Becoming pregnant while using an IUD (rare)
• Endometriosis
• Scar tissue in the abdomen, particularly in the fallopian tubes or uterus
• Having been exposed to DES in-utero (getting rarer, as women who may have been given DES during pregnancy are exiting the childbearing years)
• Chlamydia that has adversely affected the tubes
• Gonorrhoea hat has adversely affected the tubes

Life after Ectopic Pregnancy

With improved medical techniques and improved medications, the mortality rate for mothers whose pregnancy was ectopic has been greatly reduced. In fact, nowadays, the focus is not only on preserving the life of the mother, but also on preserving her fertility.

If surgery was the treatment method used in the mother’s pregnancy, the surgeon may or may not have had to remove the fallopian tube. Sometimes it is possible to repair the damage, although if the mother’s fallopian tube was ruptured, she will most likely have lost all or part of the fallopian tube. Surgeons frequently have to remove the tube as the quickest and safest way to keep bleeding under control.

Even if a fallopian tube was damaged (or even removed), however, it is often possible to conceive again and to have a normal pregnancy. If you wish to conceive again, seek the advice of your physician and be watchful for adverse symptoms.

]]> Understanding Tubal Pregnancy http://tubalpregnancy.net/content/understanding-tubal-pregnancy 2008-07-03T14:30:00-06:00 2008-07-03T12:38:45-06:00 sonia In a normal, healthy pregnancy, the fertilized egg travels to the uterus and implants itself in the uterine lining. A tubal, tubular, or ectopic pregnancy occurs when the egg does not travel all the way tom the womb and instead implants itself in one of the fallopian tubes.
Risk of Having a Tubal Pregnancy

]]> In a normal, healthy pregnancy, the fertilized egg travels to the uterus and implants itself in the uterine lining. A tubal, tubular, or ectopic pregnancy occurs when the egg does not travel all the way tom the womb and instead implants itself in one of the fallopian tubes.
Risk of Having a Tubal Pregnancy

Any situation that would make it more difficult for the egg to travel to the uterus increases the risk of a tubular pregnancy. Such circumstances might include a previous surgery on the fallopian tube or an infection or sexually transmitted disease that has resulted in a narrowing of the tube or scar tissue on the tube. Most commonly, that infection is PID, or pelvic inflammatory disease.

Other risk factors include being aged 35 to 44 years old, having had a previous ectopic pregnancy, or having had certain fertility problems and/or treatments, including the use of medicines that stimulate ovulation.

Signs of a Tubular Pregnancy

The first indication that you may have an ectopic pregnancy is usually pain, so if you are pregnant and are experiencing abdominal pain, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible, especially if one of the above risk factors applies to you. Other indications of a tubal pregnancy are the same as or similar to those of a normal pregnancy, such as soreness or tenderness in the breasts, missed periods, and morning sickness.

The Dangers of an Ectopic Pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy does not result in a live birth. The fallopian tube is not an adequate environment for the full development of a foetus, and the greatest risk is that the baby will grow too large for the tube and the tube will rupture. A rupture of the fallopian tube can be a risk to the woman’s life and causes severe pain and bleeding.

Treatment

If a doctor discovers that your pregnancy is ectopic, and it is discovered early enough in the pregnancy, the least invasive treatment is to give the woman a shot of the drug methotrexate. Methotrexate allows the body to reabsorb the fertilized egg, and there is usually no scarring of the tube when this treatment is possible.

Sometimes, however, the injection is not an option. In that case, the mother will need to have surgery, in which the fertilized egg is removed from the body. Often, if the tubal pregnancy is discovered early enough, the surgery can be done via a laparoscope, which generally only requires a very small incision and is the second least invasive treatment for a tubal pregnancy. If the egg has grown too large or there is damage to the tube already, the woman may need to undergo more traditional surgery to remove the egg.

]]> Coping With an Ectopic Pregnancy http://tubalpregnancy.net/content/coping-ectopic-pregnancy 2008-07-02T17:31:00-06:00 2008-07-02T15:32:33-06:00 sonia An ectopic pregnancy is an abnormal pregnancy in that the fertilized egg attaches itself somewhere other than the uterus – most often in the fallopian tube – thus the common terms tubular or tubal pregnancy. Usually, a woman knows she is pregnant before it is determined that the pregnancy is tubal, as the symptoms of a normal pregnancy and an ectopic pregnancy are the same. The same breast tenderness, missed periods, and nausea that frequently accompany a healthy pregnancy also accompany a tubal pregnancy. Because of this truth, most women who have an ectopic pregnancy are not aware that anything is wrong until several weeks into the gestation period.

]]> An ectopic pregnancy is an abnormal pregnancy in that the fertilized egg attaches itself somewhere other than the uterus – most often in the fallopian tube – thus the common terms tubular or tubal pregnancy. Usually, a woman knows she is pregnant before it is determined that the pregnancy is tubal, as the symptoms of a normal pregnancy and an ectopic pregnancy are the same. The same breast tenderness, missed periods, and nausea that frequently accompany a healthy pregnancy also accompany a tubal pregnancy. Because of this truth, most women who have an ectopic pregnancy are not aware that anything is wrong until several weeks into the gestation period.

Once you and your doctor do discover that your pregnancy is tubal, it becomes necessary to remove the foetal tissue. Failure to do so has the potential to cause serious harm to or even the death of the mother. If the diagnosis is made very early, your doctor may be able to treat the ectopic pregnancy with one or more shots of a medication called methotrexate. If successful, methotrexate causes the cells to cease growing and allows the body to reabsorb the cells once they have dissolved.
Continued monitoring is necessary to ensure that the treatment was successful. If, for some reason, you are unable to have the methotrexate treatment or if it is unsuccessful, the next step would be to remove the ectopic tissue surgically. The surgery would be completed either laparoscopically or with a large abdominal incision. In either surgery, the surgeon removes the ectopic tissue and repairs or removes the fallopian tube.

Of course, if you have an ectopic pregnancy and the treatment is successful, your immediate health risks are pretty much over, however, there can be some emotional issues to contend with. If you knew you were pregnant before the ectopic diagnosis, you may be saddened or even depressed by the fact that your pregnancy resulted in the necessary removal of the ectopic tissue. You may be worried about your ability to conceive again. You may be angry and asking yourself, why me?
In fact, there may be any range of possible emotions, or you may not find yourself with these kinds of feelings. In any event, know that whatever you are feeling is not “wrong” or “stupid.” With the loss of any pregnancy can be devastating, so if you find yourself feeling lost, sad, confused, or whatever, realize that it is perfectly acceptable to grieve over the loss of your pregnancy. Seek the time you need to mourn and the consolation and comfort of loved ones and friends. Discuss your feelings with your doctor. Seek a support group. In short, do whatever it takes to make yourself feel better, and also realize that if you are not struggling with emotional difficulty after your ectopic pregnancy, that is certainly okay too.

]]> What is a Tubular Pregnancy? http://tubalpregnancy.net/content/what-tubular-pregnancy 2008-07-02T17:29:00-06:00 2008-07-02T15:30:32-06:00 sonia A tubular pregnancy, or tubal pregnancy, is also called an ectopic pregnancy, and it is a pregnancy in where the fertilized egg implants itself outside of the womb, in a fallopian tube, hence the common lay term tubal pregnancy. It is possible for an ectopic pregnancy to occur in other places, too, and in that case your doctor would not refer to it as a tubular pregnancy. Other places a tubular pregnancy can occur are an ovary, the cervix, or some other organ in the abdomen. Usually, however, an ectopic pregnancy occurs in one of the fallopian tubes.

]]> A tubular pregnancy, or tubal pregnancy, is also called an ectopic pregnancy, and it is a pregnancy in where the fertilized egg implants itself outside of the womb, in a fallopian tube, hence the common lay term tubal pregnancy. It is possible for an ectopic pregnancy to occur in other places, too, and in that case your doctor would not refer to it as a tubular pregnancy. Other places a tubular pregnancy can occur are an ovary, the cervix, or some other organ in the abdomen. Usually, however, an ectopic pregnancy occurs in one of the fallopian tubes.

The Danger of a Tubular Pregnancy

A tubular pregnancy is not normal. The fallopian tubes are not designed to sustain a baby. If the egg implants in the tube and continues to grow, the foetus will become too big for the tube and eventually the tube will rupture, or burst. A ruptured fallopian tube or ovary causes excessive amounts of bleeding and pain and can cause the death of the mother, so a tubal pregnancy cannot be carried to term.

The Symptoms

In the early stages of a pregnancy, the signs of a tubal pregnancy are just about the same as they are for a normal pregnancy. Those symptoms include breast tenderness, missed periods, a more frequent need to use the bathroom, and perhaps nausea and vomiting (morning sickness).

A little later, however, other symptoms that may indicate a tubular pregnancy can occur. Pain, spotting, low blood pressure, a fainting spell or dizziness, and pain in the small of the back can all be indicators of an ectopic pregnancy. So, too, are lower-than-expected levels of HCG (the “pregnancy hormone”). Of course, you would have no way of knowing that your hCG levels were low, other than to have them tested, so although that is a symptom, it is usually used as one of the methods of diagnosing an ectopic pregnancy.

The pain is usually the first sign; most women who are diagnosed with a tubular pregnancy seek the advice of a physician because they are having abdominal pain. The pain may be a sharp, stabbing pain – “like a knife” – and it may stay or be intermittent. It may hurt very badly at times and be less severe at other times, and usually the pain is only on one side of the abdomen – the one that has the tube in which the egg is implanted.

The Risk Factors

Any woman may experience an ectopic pregnancy, but there are risk factors that make it more likely. Since an ectopic pregnancy usually occurs because the egg does not successfully travel to the uterus, anything that makes it more difficult for the egg to get through the tube can be a risk factor. A previous ectopic pregnancy that has damaged the fallopian tube puts a woman at higher risk, as does having any type of surgery on a tube because of the chances of scar tissue blocking the normal path of the egg. Other conditions such as infections like Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) can have a similar consequence. Also, for some reason, women who are a little on the older-than-average age for childbearing may have a greater risk. Many tubular pregnancies occur in women between 35 and 44 years of age. In addition, women who have used medications to enhance the chances of getting pregnant may also have a higher risk.

]]> Tubular Pregnancy Information http://tubalpregnancy.net/content/tubular-pregnancy-information 2008-07-02T17:25:00-06:00 2008-07-02T15:27:57-06:00 sonia A tubular pregnancy, also known as a tubal or ectopic pregnancy, is an abnormal pregnancy in which the egg does not successfully reach the uterus and instead implants in the woman’s fallopian tube. Since the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are just about the same as they for a viable pregnancy, at least in the beginning, the fact that the pregnancy is ectopic may not be discovered until the mother has a problem and seeks the advice of her doctor or goes to the emergency room. For the most part, the first symptom of the pregnancy being tubular is pain in the abdomen. Most often, the pain is mostly on one side and can be quite severe. It is often described as sharp or shooting and it may come and go.

]]> A tubular pregnancy, also known as a tubal or ectopic pregnancy, is an abnormal pregnancy in which the egg does not successfully reach the uterus and instead implants in the woman’s fallopian tube. Since the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are just about the same as they for a viable pregnancy, at least in the beginning, the fact that the pregnancy is ectopic may not be discovered until the mother has a problem and seeks the advice of her doctor or goes to the emergency room. For the most part, the first symptom of the pregnancy being tubular is pain in the abdomen. Most often, the pain is mostly on one side and can be quite severe. It is often described as sharp or shooting and it may come and go.

Diagnosing an Ectopic Pregnancy

If you are pregnant and go to the doctor or hospital complaining of abdominal pain, the doctor will almost always give you tests to determine if your pregnancy is ectopic or normal.

Usually, the tests will include a pelvic exam, both external and internal. The doctor will look for unusual qualities and will check to see if your uterus looks to be the proper size for the baby’s length of gestation. If the uterus appears smaller than expected, that is an indicator that the egg may be growing elsewhere.

Another test you may be given is a test that measures the amount of HCG in your system. HCG is sometimes known as the “pregnancy hormone” and many home pregnancy tests check for this hormone; if your levels are higher than they are for a non-pregnant woman, he test gives a positive result. As your pregnancy gets farther along, the amount of HCG in the bloodstream increases, but with an ectopic pregnancy, there may be less HCG than there is in a uterine (normal) pregnancy, so lower-than-expected HCG levels is another possible indication of a tubular pregnancy.

In addition to those tests, you will likely have an ultrasound done. That test uses sound waves to check for pregnancy or masses in the abdomen. Ultrasounds are reliable tests, and they are commonly done on most pregnant women at some point in the pregnancy. However, not every ectopic pregnancy may be detected by an ultrasound, particularly if you are less than six weeks along. At that point, the egg is still quite small, and as such may not be detectable. If you are less than six weeks along and are complaining of pain that cannot be explained in some other way, the doctor will carefully monitor you and will most likely want to check your HCG levels very frequently.

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