Ectopic pregnancy symptoms
Pregnancy begins with a fertilized egg which, under normal conditions, implants itself in the uterine walls. A ectopic pregnancy - extrauterine - occurs when a fertilized egg implants and grows outside the uterus. Let's try to understand what the symptoms of ectopic pregnancy.
What is extrauterine pregnancy
Therefore it defines itself extra-uterine, and also ectopic, a pregnancy that begins outside the womb. In many cases the embryo implants itself in a fallopian tube (in this case we speak of tubal pregnancy); in other cases the fertilized egg can go to nest in other areas of the body, such as the cervix or the ovary.
Read also: Implantation losses
Early symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy
At the beginning, pregnancy manifests itself like all the others: absence of menstruation, nausea and tension and discomfort in the breast. The pregnancy test will confirm the pregnancy, but as the embryo grows in an improper place the symptoms of ectopic pregnancy become more evident:
- mild vaginal bleeding;
- pelvic pain;
- some women also have shoulder pain;
- urge to evacuate.
How long can extrauterine pregnancy last?
An ectopic pregnancy cannot proceed normally: the embryo cannot survive and the growing tissue can cause life-threatening bleeding. The structure that contains the embryo usually breaks down after approx 6 16-weeks, so long before the fetus is able to live on its own.
If the embryo continues to grow in the fallopian tube it could cause them to break and one internal abdominal bleeding, so in case of dizziness and fainting it is important to go to the emergency room.
What does ectopic pregnancy mean?
Ectopic pregnancy is defined as a pregnancy in which the fertilized egg does not get to nestle in the uterus, where it then grows and develops, but in a different area of the body, very often in a fallopian tube. In many cases the ovum's path to the uterus is hampered by the fact that a tube is damaged or inflamed or by hormonal imbalances.
Certainly there are some risk factors which increase the chances of having an ectopic pregnancy:
- Previous ectopic pregnancy;
- Inflammation or infection: sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, can cause inflammation in the tubes and other nearby organs and increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy;
- Fertility Treatments: some research suggests that women who undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF) or similar treatments are more likely to have an ectopic pregnancy;
- Tubal surgery: procedures to correct a closed or damaged fallopian tube can increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy;
- Contraceptive: pregnancies are a rare event if you are using a contraceptive, however in the case of an intrauterine device it will be more likely ectopic, as well as in the case of tubal ligation;
- Smoke: Cigarette smoking can increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy.
How betas grow in an ectopic pregnancy
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Hormone (better known as hCG) is produced during pregnancy by specialized trophoblast cells.
In a normal pregnancy, the Beta Hcg level doubles every 48-72 hours until reaching 10.000-20.000mIU / mL. In ectopic pregnancies, Beta Hcg levels usually increase less markedly. The mean serum levels of β-HCG are, therefore, lower in ectopic pregnancies than in healthy pregnancies.
HCG levels can be monitored with a normal blood test about 11 days after conception: in a healthy pregnancy, they will typically double every 48 to 72 hours, peaking between 8 and 11 weeks of pregnancy (the end of the second and the beginning of the third month) and then stabilize for the rest of the pregnancy. It is this early rise in hCG that can sometimes cause classic morning sickness.
Extrauterine pregnancy after what is seen
A declining hCG result is an indicator that the pregnancy has ended or is about to be terminated, but it can also indicate an ectopic pregnancy that is "solves by itself"(7 out of 10 ectopic pregnancies end with a miscarriage in the first weeks).
An hCG level that is increasing by less than 66% in 48 hours means the pregnancy is likely, but not certain, to be ectopic.
Symptoms of extrauterine pregnancy 5 week
In case of missed menstruation and early pregnancy symptoms, the home pregnancy test can give a positive result and confirm the pregnancy. Symptoms of pregnancy - from nausea to breast tension - typically appear after the fifth week. If you cannot see the pregnancy developing in the uterus through an ultrasound, your doctor may order a monitoring of the hCG levels to assess its growth or decline.
