Are You A Candidate For Ectopic Pregnancy?

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Ectopic as defined by the study of entomology, means “out of place.” When used to describe a type of pregnancy it would refer to Gestation outside of the uterus, often in a Fallopian tube.

Ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus. Statistics show that Ectopic pregnancies are not really that common, with only 1 out of every 50 pregnancies occurring this way.

How do you know if you are at risk for Ectopic pregnancy? There are a number of indicating factors to consider and look out for. Here is a list of signs, and considerations to help you evaluate your risk of having an Ectopic pregnancy.

1. You’ve had ectopic pregnancy before. Although not really common, the risk of it happening all over again still exists.

2. While pregnant with you, your mother took drugs to help prevent miscarriage. The most likely drug, commonly referred to as the DES, or the diethylstilbestrol, can increase your chances of having an ectopic pregnancy when it becomes your turn to be a mother.

3. You have had previous corrective surgery, of some sort, on your fallopian tubes. Usually, the problem encountered in this case would be reverse tubal ligation. The increase for potential problems is not exclusive to this surgery. Other types of abdominal and pelvic surgery can contribute to your risk as well. Some examples would be, the removal of an ovarian cyst, an appendectomy, and even a cesarean delivery.

4. If you become pregnant even after having undergone tubal ligation. Tubal ligation is commonly referred to as surgical sterilization. This is a process of sealing your fallopian tubes, and is usually done as a method of birth control. It is not infallible! Should you become pregnant after undergoing this procedure, chances are, you are going to have an ectopic pregnancy.

5. You are undergoing treatment for infertility. If your treatment is correcting a damaged fallopian tube, and is corrected, any future pregnancy will have a higher chance of being an ectopic pregnancy.

6. You are using hormonal contraceptives. If you should get pregnant, even while taking progestin-only birth control pills, you can almost count on having an ectopic pregnancy. These contraceptives themselves do not directly cause ectopic pregnancy. However, if you accidentally get pregnant despite the fact that you are taking these contraceptives, that’s where the problem lies.

7. If you have damaged Fallopian tubes. Damaged fallopian tubes can be caused by many factors. Possibly, as a result of some untreated sexually treated diseases like Chlamydia, or Gonorrhea. Should this be the case, even if cured, you still have a chance for an ectopic pregnancy.

Sadly, an ectopic pregnancy would eventually mean a failed pregnancy. As of yet, there is no method devised to take the fertilized egg and return it back into the uterus. The only real option is to protect the mother and terminate the pregnancy altogether. Failure to do so could lead to hemorrhage, damage, or loss of the fallopian tubes, and in the worst case, death.

The risk of ectopic pregnancy makes it mandatory that pregnant women consult with their obstetrician regularly from the very start of their pregnancy. It is important to determine right away if the pregnancy is ectopic or not, and to act on it accordingly.

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