An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy outside the uterus. The most common site is within a fallopian tube. More rarely, it is also found within the ovary or in the cervix. Read on to understand more about ectopic pregnancy signs and symptoms.

Related: Pregnancy Complications

How Common Is an Ectopic Pregnancy?

Out of every 1,000 pregnancies, five to seven are ectopic pregnancies. It is more common in women who have had an ectopic pregnancy before, as well as in women who have a history of pelvic infection.

Related: When to Sound the Alarm on Your Pregnancy

What Are the Symptoms of an Ectopic Pregnancy?

If a woman has an ectopic pregnancy, she may:

• have missed her period
• notice pregnancy symptoms, such as breast tenderness and nausea
• have irregular vaginal bleeding, known as spotting
• feel lower abdominal or pelvic pain on one or both sides that grows worse over time

If the ectopic pregnancy ruptures, she may:

• feel severe pain in her lower belly
• develop shoulder pain triggered by internal bleeding
• feel dizzy and notice a whirling sensation
• faint or pass out

What Is the Danger of an Ectopic Pregnancy?

There is internal bleeding when the ectopic pregnancy ruptures. Your life can be at risk if the bleeding is severe.

Ectopic Pregnancy - Diagnosis

Diagnosis of an Ectopic Pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy is often suspected after an ultrasound fails to detect a pregnancy in the womb.

Occasionally, blood tests of your pregnancy hormone levels and additional ultrasound scans are required to help make a diagnosis. Ultimately, a diagnosis can only be confirmed via an operation.

Ectopic Pregnancy Treatment

Surgery may be required for an ectopic pregnancy. Known as laparoscopy, it is an operation whereby a fine telescope is inserted near the navel into your abdomen. This allows your doctor to see the pelvic organs and the site of the ectopic pregnancy.

Sometimes, when massive bleeding occurs, a laparotomy may be required. This involves a larger incision for the operation. This procedure is performed under general anaesthesia.

Depending on the severity of the ectopic pregnancy and your fertility requirement, your doctor will discuss the options of keeping or removing your fallopian tubes. Under certain circumstances, additional blood tests and injections or even another surgery is required.

Ectopic Pregnancy - Other Information

Conceiving After an Ectopic Pregnancy

If the ectopic pregnancy is treated without removing the fallopian tubes, you still have a reasonable chance to conceive successfully in the future. Removal of one fallopian tube does not affect your chances of getting pregnant if the other fallopian tube is in good condition.

You are at a slightly higher risk of another ectopic pregnancy, so you should speak to your gynaecologist about your risks and measures of early evaluation of your next pregnancy.

Where Should I Go For Ectopic Pregnancy Treatment?

We provide round the clock service at our Urgent O＆G Centre, located in basement one of KKH.

Note: It is important to note that ectopic pregnancy is sometimes difficult to diagnose in view of its myriad presentation, especially in the early stages.

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