The fertilized egg, in this case, is abnormal and cannot develop into a fetus.
What causes Ectopic pregnancy?
- Ectopic pregnancy may happen when the fallopian tube is damaged or scarred or blocked, which could prevent the movement of the fertilized egg.
- It could also happen due previous infections, like tube infections (salpingitis), pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), chlamydia, and gonorrhea
- Previous surgery inside the abdomen, especially involving the Fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus, lower abdomen, or bowels could also lead to ectopic pregnancies.
- Use of fertility medications at the time of conception
- Prior history of tubal pregnancy
- The use of an intrauterine device (IUD) does not increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy.
What are the symptoms of Ectopic pregnancy?
Common signs and symptoms being pain abdomen and vaginal bleeding.
Diagnosis and treatment
Ectopic pregnancy is usually found in the first 5-10 weeks of pregnancy. An ultrasound usually done during this time will be able to confirm if it is an intra-uterine (inside the uterus) or extra-uterine ( outside the uterus) pregnancy.
The most serious complication if an ectopic pregnancy is not detected and treated in time is intra-abdominal bleeding, which could sometimes be fatal.
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