Ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in one of the fallopian tubes. This type of pregnancy cannot proceed normally and poses serious risks to maternal health if not diagnosed and treated promptly.

Damaged Fallopian Tubes: Scarring or inflammation of the fallopian tubes, often due to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or previous surgeries.
Hormonal Factors: Hormonal imbalances or abnormalities that affect the normal movement of the fertilized egg through the fallopian tube.
Previous Ectopic Pregnancy: Women who have had one ectopic pregnancy are at higher risk of having another.

Symptoms

Early symptoms of ectopic pregnancy may mimic those of a normal pregnancy, such as missed periods and breast tenderness. As the pregnancy progresses, symptoms may include:

Abdominal Pain: Often on one side of the abdomen and may be severe and sharp.
Vaginal Bleeding: Light bleeding that may be heavier or lighter than a normal period.
Shoulder Pain: Pain that radiates to the shoulder due to internal bleeding irritating the diaphragm.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing ectopic pregnancy involves a combination of:

Pelvic Examination: To check for tenderness or pain in the abdomen.
Transvaginal Ultrasound: Imaging test to locate the pregnancy and determine its location.
Blood Tests: Measurement of hormone levels, particularly human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which may be lower than expected in ectopic pregnancy.