Ectopic (Tubal) Pregnancies

 
An ectopic pregnancy arises when a sperm fertilizes an egg and implantation occurs in the fallopian tube, instead of in the uterus. Usually, fertilization occurs in the fallopian tube and the embryo continues down the tubes into the uterus, where it settles into the uterine lining. In an ectopic pregnancy, implantation and growth of the embryo in the fallopian tube occurs, and causes swelling of the tube eventually resulting in the tube bursting. However, before the tube bursts, around the 6th week of pregnancy, certain signs will arise to indicate a tubal pregnancy. A woman is more likely to have a tubal pregnancy if:

• She has scarring in her fallopian tubes from a previous pelvic infection.
• She has already had one ectopic pregnancy.
• She became pregnant while using an intrauterine device (IUD), or after a tubal ligation.
• She used a fertility treatment to get pregnant.

There are two forms of tubal pregnancy; subacute and acute. The subacute form is signaled by pain in the abdomen along with vaginal bleeding, fainting and pain in the shoulder on the same side as the abdominal pain. There is no rupture of the fallopian tube yet, thus treatment can be offered by via destruction of the embryo through injection of methotrexate.

The acute form of tubal pregnancy occurs when the tube bursts and causes severe pain, shock, paleness, increased pulse and decreased blood pressure. Treatment requires emergency removal of the fetus and placenta and the tube itself may have to be removed, depending on the amount of damage it has sustained.

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