According to statistics, four out of 100 women have a pregnancy that does not have any pronounced differences from a normal pregnancy in the early stages. Seeing the usual two strips on a pregnancy test, not a single woman even suspects that after a while she may end up on the operating table or even die from blood loss ...

Of course these days medicine has come a long way, and the risk of death in cases exists only in case of incorrect and delayed diagnosis, whereas in the past, only one in six women with ectopic pregnancy survived. Ectopic pregnancy is a very dangerous condition and one of the most common causes of infertility in women who have terminated pathological pregnancies in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Women who have undergone ectopic pregnancy, experience a strong fear of the onset of a new pregnancy and pass it on to everyone around them. They are catastrophically afraid of not getting pregnant at all or that the pregnancy will again be ectopic. In fact, during the period of conception, a woman needs to be calm and relaxed so that it is easier for a fertilized egg to reach the uterus.

For this reason, we decided to divert women from dark thoughts and educate them about the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy so that they can understand and consult a gynecologist for help in early pregnancy. After all, the longer the duration of an ectopic pregnancy, the less chance a woman has to maintain her childbearing function. First you need to know what kind of pregnancy doctors call ectopic?

Any pregnancy begins after fertilization eggs, which for subsequent proper development must move into the uterine cavity and attach to its wall. Sometimes, due to the presence of various obstacles and failures, the fetal egg is not able to reach the place and is attached to the fallopian tube, cervix, ovary, and even to the abdominal cavity. Such a pregnancy is called an ectopic.

You don't wish this on any woman. This news is sure to shock. Such diagnoses are always perceived on emotions. But we hasten to console you as much as possible: an ectopic pregnancy is not yet a sentence.

In fact, ectopic attachment of the fetal egg is not so rare anymore: although there is little pleasant in this, due to the frequency of occurrence, doctors have already learned how to quickly determine an ectopic pregnancy and take the necessary measures to prevent risks and minimize consequences. However, forecasts for the future for a woman will depend on a number of factors.

Of great importance is how long an ectopic pregnancy makes itself felt, and how exactly. Unfortunately, in 5-10% of all cases, a woman really can no longer have children. But timely actions taken help to avoid many troubles, including maintaining the functionality of the female reproductive system. So, the main thing is not to waste time.

Why is the egg not in the uterus?

When the sperm fertilizes the egg, the latter begins to move along the fallopian tube and at the end of the path is attached to the wall of the uterus for further development and growth - implantation occurs. This is how a normal pregnancy begins, during which the egg cell improves, constantly divides, a fetus is formed, from which, by the end of the term, a full-fledged child grows, ready for life outside the mother's womb. For this most complex process to take place, a certain “dwelling” for the egg and space for its growth is necessary. The uterine cavity is ideal.

However, it happens that the egg does not reach its destination and settles earlier. In 70% of cases, it is attached to the fallopian tube, but other options are possible: to the ovaries, to the cervix, to any of the abdominal organs.

Causes of an ectopic pregnancy

There are several reasons why an egg cannot reach the uterus:

• Violations in the condition of the walls and the functioning of the fallopian tubes (when they contract poorly and are not able to move the egg further). This often happens due to previous diseases of the pelvic organs, as well as chronic inflammatory diseases of the genital organs, in particular STDs.
• Anatomical features of the fallopian tube (for example, infantilism): too narrow, tortuous, scarred or scarred tube makes it difficult and slows down the progress of the egg.
• Previous surgical operations on the fallopian tubes.
• Previous abortions, especially if the woman's first pregnancy was terminated artificially.
• Slowness of spermatozoa: the egg is “waiting” for fertilization, which is why it does not have time to get to the right place, that is, to the uterus - hunger forces it to settle earlier.
• Hormonal disorders in the body of a pregnant woman.
• Tumors on the uterus and appendages.
• Changes in the properties of the fetal egg.
• A woman wearing a contraceptive intrauterine device.
• Some technologies.
• The constant nervous overexcitation of a woman, in particular, the fear of becoming pregnant and unreliable methods of protection do not allow her to relax, which causes the fallopian tubes to spasm.

Of course, ideally, it is necessary to try to exclude all possible causes of an ectopic pregnancy at the planning stage.

Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy

How do you know that the onset of pregnancy is an ectopic? In fact, it is not easy to "see" it. The symptoms of this pregnancy are exactly the same as normal physiological ones: regular periods do not occur, the breasts fill up, the uterus enlarges and can sip, it is possible, a change in appetite and taste preferences, and so on. But some things can still cause some suspicion.

With an ectopic pregnancy, from the first days, spotting of a dark color can be observed. It happens that the next menstruation occurs on time or with a slight delay, only the discharge is weaker than usual. At the same time, the pulling pain in the lower abdomen radiates to the anus, and if the fallopian tube ruptures, it becomes unbearably strong, sharp, up to loss of consciousness, bleeding begins. With internal bleeding, weakness and pain are accompanied by vomiting and low blood pressure. In such cases, the woman must be urgently taken to the hospital for urgent surgery.

An ectopic pregnancy is most easily confused with a threatened miscarriage. But this is exactly what she makes herself felt: she begins to interrupt, which usually happens at 4-6 weeks. To prevent the worst from happening, it is necessary to make a diagnosis in time. And therefore, as soon as you find out that you are pregnant, immediately go through an examination by a gynecologist and. This will allow you to sleep peacefully, because in such cases the location of the fetal egg immediately becomes known (in most cases).

How to determine an ectopic pregnancy?

The success of resolving the situation with an ectopic pregnancy will depend on at what stage of its development the diagnosis was made. Pregnant women are registered in the second or third month, and this is already too late ... Therefore, as soon as you have the slightest suspicion that something is wrong, you need to immediately verify the existence of a problem or exclude it. This happens through examination.

First you need to make sure that the pregnancy really has come. The easiest and fastest way is to do a home pregnancy test. However, relying only on the test is not worth it in any case: the gynecologist will be able to confirm the guesses about the conception that has taken place during an in-person examination. However, this is not always the case: if the period is not long enough or the egg is still too small, then the only way to reliably find out whether pregnancy has occurred or not will be an ultrasound of the pelvis with the introduction of a transvaginal sensor and.

If it's too late to guess - there are all signs of a tubal rupture or abdominal bleeding - immediately call an ambulance: this condition is life-threatening! And in no case do not take any action on your own: do not drink painkillers, do not put ice heating pads, do not put enemas!

Basal temperature during ectopic pregnancy

Women leading a chart of basal temperatures may suspect pregnancy at the earliest possible date. After conception, progesterone begins to be intensively produced in the body of the expectant mother, which is necessary to ensure the vital activity of the egg and create favorable conditions for its further development. It is the increase in the level of this hormone that is the cause of the increase in basal temperature. You can focus on indicators only when measurements are made from month to month according to all the rules, at least for 4-6 cycles in a row.

With the onset of pregnancy, the basal temperature rises to an average of 37.2-37.3 ° C (for different women, these figures may vary slightly) and is kept at this level. This occurs regardless of whether the pregnancy develops in the uterus or outside the uterus. The basal temperature during an ectopic pregnancy is no different, since progesterone is produced anyway.

A decrease in basal temperature (below 37 ° C) occurs only when the fetus freezes, which often happens during ectopic pregnancy. But this is not necessary either: often the BT indicators remain at the same levels in this case as well.

Does the test show an ectopic pregnancy?

It is impossible to give an exact unambiguous answer to this question. Firstly, not every test and not always shows a normal pregnancy. Secondly, in the case of attachment of the fetal egg outside the uterus, there may indeed be nuances.

So, almost all pregnancy tests show the fact of fertilization. It doesn’t matter where exactly the egg stopped: the level of the human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG) will definitely increase (since the forming placenta begins to produce it), which, in fact, the test systems react to.

In principle, there are expensive cassettes that in most cases are able to determine not only pregnancy at the earliest possible date, but also its ectopic development (read about this in the article Ectopic pregnancy and pregnancy test). But if we talk about ordinary home tests, they can only establish the fact of pregnancy, and even then with reservations.

The test for an ectopic pregnancy may “work” later than for a physiological one. That is, at a time when a normally developing pregnancy can already be diagnosed with a home test, a pathological pregnancy is sometimes still “hidden”. An ectopic pregnancy can often be detected with a delayed test, that is, 1-2 weeks later than usual. Or the second test strip appears very weakly. What is it connected with?

HCG levels during ectopic pregnancy

It's all about HCG. Wherever the fetal egg is fixed, its shell (chorion) still begins to produce this hormone. That is why a pregnancy test will show a positive result even with an ectopic pregnancy. But doctors say that in the latter case, the level of hCG is lower than during uterine pregnancy, and does not grow as dynamically. Therefore, at a time when a home test already shows a normal pregnancy, with an ectopic hCG level, it may still be insufficient to determine.

In the blood, the concentration of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin increases earlier and faster than in the urine. Therefore, a blood test for hCG will be more informative. If a woman has unkind suspicions and the gynecologist, after examination and consultation, does not exclude the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy, then it is better to pass this analysis and undergo an ultrasound scan.

By itself, a blood test for hCG cannot be a reason for making a final diagnosis, but together with an ultrasound scan it can clarify the picture. Although hCG during an ectopic pregnancy rises, it is not so fast and dynamic. Regular monitoring of the level of hCG in the blood (with a break every 2-3 days) allows us to draw preliminary conclusions: during normal pregnancy, it will double, with pathological - only slightly.

Does an ultrasound show an ectopic pregnancy?

Transvaginal ultrasound allows you to see the location of the fetal egg already in the second week of pregnancy, although reliable data can be obtained from about the fourth week. If the embryo is not found in the cavity of the fallopian tube or uterus (when the period is still too short and the fetal egg is not visible due to its extremely small size), and there are suspicions of an ectopic pregnancy, the procedure is repeated after a while or the woman is immediately hospitalized and a medical examination is performed. According to indications, even laparoscopy is possible: the pelvic organs are examined under anesthesia during the operation, which, upon confirmation of an ectopic pregnancy, immediately turns into a medical procedure.

Ultrasound with intravaginal insertion of the sensor is considered the most reliable method for diagnosing ectopic pregnancy. However, he does not give an absolute guarantee that the diagnosis will be made correctly. In 10% of all cases when ultrasound is performed during an ectopic pregnancy, it is not installed due to the fact that an accumulation of fluid or a blood clot located in the uterine cavity is taken for a fetal egg. Therefore, even such a highly accurate diagnosis is recommended to be combined with other methods for greater reliability, in particular with a blood test for hCG.

Ectopic pregnancy: forecasts

None of the organs of the female body is intended for bearing a child, except for the uterus. Therefore, the attached “in the wrong place” embryo must be removed. If this is not done in advance, for example, a rupture of the fallopian tube may occur (if the egg is fixed here) or it may enter the abdominal cavity when bleeding opens. Both situations are extremely dangerous for a woman and require immediate surgical intervention. When a fallopian tube ruptures, a woman experiences severe acute pain, shock, fainting, and intra-abdominal bleeding are possible.

It is very important to detect an ectopic pregnancy in time in order to successfully solve the problem. Previously, in such cases, the fallopian tube was removed, which meant the inability to become pregnant and give birth in the future. Today it is a last resort. In most cases, an ectopic pregnancy is an operation during which the ovum is removed and the fallopian tube is sewn up to preserve reproductive capabilities.

Every woman at some point has a desire to experience all the delights of motherhood. But sometimes the long-awaited 2 strips on the test mean an ectopic pregnancy, which is life-threatening for a woman. It is for this reason that the fairer sex should know how to determine this pathology at home.

The uterus is an organ necessary for bearing a fetus. In abnormal pregnancy, the attachment of a fertilized egg occurs outside this organ. This leads to the impossibility of the full development of the fetus (for example, attachment occurs in the ovaries or fallopian tubes). This condition of the body is called an ectopic pregnancy.

Characteristic signs of pathology:

• unbearable and sharp pain;
• loss of consciousness;
• pain shock;
• dizziness.

If treatment is ignored, severe bleeding may occur, which threatens the woman's life.

Causes

An ectopic pregnancy occurs for several reasons:

• infectious diseases;
• failure of the hormonal background;
• the use of an intrauterine device;
• long-term use of medications for the treatment of infertility;
• inflammation of the appendages, uterus;
• adhesions;
• abortions;
• neoplasms on the tubes, ovaries.

How to recognize an ectopic pregnancy

Rapid detection of pathological pregnancy, as well as timely provision of medical assistance, will help prevent the occurrence of complications. But it is extremely difficult to identify pathology in the early stages, since by signs it resembles a normal pregnancy. For example, a delay in menstruation is present in both cases.

With pathology, spotting spotting occurs. But even this symptom is not a sign of a problematic condition, because during a normal pregnancy, sometimes there are also discharges. But menstruation with pathological fixation of a fertilized egg is slightly different in nature (long and dark in color). Therefore, women can distinguish between normal and abnormal discharge.

Another symptom of pathological pregnancy should include pain in the lower abdomen. In most cases, they occur in the first weeks of delayed menstruation.

Difference between natural and ectopic pregnancy

To recognize the pathological process, it is important to know the symptoms of the normal and abnormal course of pregnancy.

Natural pregnancy is characterized by the following symptoms:

• deterioration of well-being;
• morning sickness;
• breast enlargement and pain when touching it;
• delayed monthly payments.

Distinctive features of an ectopic pregnancy:

• jumps in blood pressure
• brown spotting;
• pain in the lower abdomen and lower back, cramping and growing in nature;
• constant dizziness;
• weakness.

Will a pregnancy test show pathology

The main purpose of any pregnancy test is to detect the level of hCG, which begins to form, regardless of the place of attachment of the fertilized cell. The test detects both natural pregnancy and ectopic. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to determine with this device what kind of pregnancy you have.

Sometimes on the test you can see 2 strips of an unequal shade, one is lighter, the other is saturated. In such a case, doctors advise trying several tests from different companies with intervals of several hours. With a similar result, be sure to visit a gynecologist.

For any suspicion of an abnormal course of pregnancy, do not hesitate, go to your doctor, get tested. Early diagnosis of the pathological condition will avoid complications.

The pharmacy sells a large number of cheap and expensive pregnancy tests. But they cannot show the presence of pathology. Only a doctor, after examination and tests, is able to determine what kind of pregnancy you have.

With a long delay in menstruation, be sure to go to the gynecologist to confirm the presence or absence of pregnancy.

Pathological pregnancy test

There are certain tests on sale, thanks to which it is possible to diagnose the onset of conception, as well as pathological disorders in the early stages of pregnancy, for example: the threat of miscarriage, abnormal fetal attachment.

These analyzers are quite easy to use at home. In this case, there is one important condition: you can apply the test only in the first 2 weeks of a delay in menstruation.

To get an accurate result, follow certain rules:

• carefully read the instructions for using the test;
• use only morning urine for the test;
• use the test right after you open it.

The reliability of such a device is 90%, the effectiveness of the threat of miscarriage is 65%. The indicators are high, but not giving a 100% guarantee, so you still have to visit a doctor.

An ectopic pregnancy is a pathological pregnancy that poses a serious threat to a woman's health and requires emergency medical attention. The fertilized egg in this case develops outside the uterus. Most often, it is fixed in the fallopian tube, but there are cases of its localization in the ovaries or in the abdominal cavity.

According to statistics, 1-2% of all pregnancies, including those resulting from artificial insemination, are ectopic. The risk of this pathology increases in more mature women over 35 years of age. In view of this, the fair sex, who are of reproductive age, are often interested in whether an ectopic pregnancy is visible on ultrasound?

Options for ectopic pregnancy

According to the localization of the fertilized egg, ectopic pregnancy can be divided into the following types:

• Pipe arrangement. The spermatozoon overtakes the egg in the fallopian tubes, but due to a violation of the patency of the tubes, the embryo cannot enter the uterus. As a result, tubal rupture may occur or an urgent termination of pregnancy is indicated.
• Location in the ovary. Fertilization occurs before the release of the egg from the follicle or the sperm overtakes the newly ejected female germ cell, which immediately attaches to the ovary. As a result, ovarian apoplexy may occur or the embryo is removed in a timely manner.
• Cervical attachment is a rare pathology that is very easily diagnosed. When examined, the uterus resembles an hourglass in its shape. The fetus can be found in the lumen. The prognosis is unfavorable - sometimes a hysterectomy is resorted to to save the patient's life.
• Location of the embryo in the peritoneum. Such a pathology occurs even less often, when a fertilized egg accidentally enters the abdominal cavity, implants and begins to develop. Or it can break away from the fallopian tube and go into the peritoneal cavity.

It is extremely rare to diagnose heterotopic pregnancy. It represents the coexistence of uterine and ectopic pregnancy.

When should you sound the alarm?

Signs of an ectopic pregnancy are important information for any woman. Primary ones include:

• delayed menstruation;
• the first signs of toxicosis;
• painful mammary glands;
• slightly elevated basal body temperature.

These signs will not help much, because they are one to one, like in a uterine pregnancy. But there is something that should alert a woman closer to the 4th week of the alleged pregnancy:

• The concentration of chronic gonadotropin (hCG) is below the norm for this period.
• Standard pregnancy tests do not show a positive result.
• Abundant discharge with an admixture of blood is observed from the vagina.
• Pain in the uterus and appendages.
• Decreased blood pressure and dizziness.
• Significant increase in body temperature.

A woman who is worried about her health and the future of her baby should definitely go to the antenatal clinic. Already there, a gynecologist's suspicion of an ectopic pregnancy may occur in such cases:

• The size of the uterus is somewhat smaller than it should be at this time.
• Ultrasound examination did not show the presence of a fetal egg in the uterus.
• Low hCG level.
• Pain sensations.

Moreover, if the uterus is smaller than it should be, then the gynecologist may recommend a follow-up examination after 7 days. If then everything remains unchanged, then the woman is sent for ultrasound and blood donation for hCG. Such symptoms do not always indicate an ectopic pregnancy. It can be a complete absence of pregnancy or a missed pregnancy.

In more than half of the cases, focusing on bleeding or pain, women turn to a specialist before serious complications can arise.

Diagnostics

An ultrasound using a transvaginal probe is the best way to determine the location of the embryo. If the pregnancy test stubbornly shows 2 strips, and a fetal egg is not found in the uterus, then they begin to suspect that the embryo is in the ovary or in the peritoneum.

The question remains relevant - at what time can an ectopic pregnancy be determined by ultrasound? Some experts argue that this diagnostic method makes it possible to detect the place of attachment of the fetal egg already on the 20th day of gestation. But still, the more common opinion is that objective information can only be obtained after 30 days.

It happens that a woman turns to a very short period and it is impossible to physically examine the fetal egg in the uterus. If there are serious reasons to suspect a pathological pregnancy, then the procedure is repeated after 5-7 days. And it is even more correct in this case to immediately hospitalize the woman and conduct a full medical examination.

In uterine pregnancy, ultrasound with a vaginal probe can show the embryo in the uterine cavity 5 weeks after the onset of a delay in the menstrual cycle. Whereas the fertilized egg can be seen after 14 days.

The technique of ultrasound examination through the anterior abdominal wall is less sensitive. Such an ultrasound shows an ectopic pregnancy only at 7-8 weeks.

Signs that can be seen on an ultrasound

The detection of a live embryo outside the uterus is an undeniable sign of a pathological pregnancy.

In addition, there are a number of additional signs that help to identify such a pathology:

• In the area of ​​the fallopian tubes and ovaries, a pathological formation is visualized, which has a different shape and size.
• Despite the first signs of pregnancy, no embryo is found in the uterus.
• The body of the uterus has an enlarged size or other changes in the muscle layer of this organ, but at the same time there is no picture of a healthy pregnancy.
• Enhanced reflection of ultrasound by the internal mucous membrane of the uterus, against the background of exposure to chorionic gonadotropin.
• A false embryo is found in the uterine cavity.
• In the deepening of the parietal peritoneum, the accumulation of fluid is determined.
• A cyst is found, which occurs due to the accumulation of fluid at the site of a burst follicle and can sometimes contain blood.

The ultrasound picture of an ectopic pregnancy may differ in each case. Various factors can influence its formation:

• organic changes in the fallopian tubes (obstruction, salpingitis, dropsy);
• the formation of cysts at the site of a burst ovary;
• extensive hemorrhages in the abdominal cavity and small pelvis;
• close arrangement of loops in the small intestine;
• accumulation of benign tumors of the uterus.

On the monitor of the ultrasound machine or a photo taken for the patient, you can see a false fetal egg (there is no embryo inside). To save a woman's life, it is urgent to perform an operation to remove a fertilized egg from the fallopian tube or other organ.

In this case, there can be no talk of home treatment, timely hospitalization is the key to saving a woman's life

Inaccuracies and complications

And yet, concerned women are interested - will ultrasound show an ectopic pregnancy in the early stages in all cases? Or are there errors? No one can give a 100% guarantee, due to the following reasons:

• Too little gestation physically does not allow you to determine whether there is an embryo in the uterine cavity or not.
• Limited range of ultrasound machine capabilities.
• The imperfection of the equipment used and its possible malfunction.
• The specialist performing the diagnostic procedure did not have sufficient qualifications and experience.

Sometimes the accumulation of fluid or blood clot in the uterus looks like a fetal egg and the specialist mistakenly determines the uterine pregnancy. The woman calms down accordingly, and if the internal bleeding is insignificant, then the pathological pregnancy can be hidden for a long time and not have severe symptoms.

A frequent variant of the further development of events is a rupture of the fallopian tube. It happens suddenly and is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• There is a sharp pain in the lower abdomen, mainly on the side where the fetal egg was attached to the tube. The pain radiates to the area of ​​the rectum, as well as the right collarbone.
• Often there are false urges to defecate or loose stools appear. The abdomen is swollen, painful on palpation.
• Decreased blood pressure, severe weakness, up to fainting. With severe bleeding, hemorrhagic shock develops.
• Paleness of the skin and mucous membranes, shortness of breath, the appearance of cold sweat.
• Apathy, lethargy, frequent, weak pulse.

Treatment in this case involves immediate surgical intervention. The damaged fallopian tube is removed laparoscopically, and if hemorrhagic shock occurs, then by laparotomy (open access to the abdominal cavity).

Ultrasound with the introduction of a vaginal probe is considered the most accurate diagnostic method in determining an ectopic pregnancy. But you should not expect a 100% guarantee from him either. Not in all cases this pathology will be visible and the correct diagnosis will be made. It is advisable to combine ultrasound diagnostics with other methods for greater accuracy.

If you feel all the signs of pregnancy, but the embryo is not visible on the ultrasound, this does not mean that you are not pregnant. These symptoms may indicate an ectopic pregnancy.

In a normal pregnancy, a fertilized egg grows in the uterus. If the pregnancy is ectopic, the egg is located outside the uterine cavity. Most often, with an ectopic pregnancy, the fetal egg is located in the fallopian tube, but it happens that it develops in the ovary, cervix, abdominal cavity, or even in the cervical canal.

Signs of an ectopic pregnancy

In 98% of cases with an ectopic pregnancy, the fetal egg is implanted in the fallopian tube. Any form of ectopic pregnancy has the same symptoms as uterine:

• swelling of the mammary glands;
• cessation of menstruation;
• toxicosis.

In addition, during an ectopic pregnancy, a woman feels colic and severe pain in the lower abdomen, intensifying every day. Sometimes there may be unusual spotting that cannot be confused with menstruation. Unfortunately, an embryo that begins to develop outside the uterine cavity has no chance of survival. A normal pregnancy can only take place in the uterine cavity, since it can expand in size with the growth of the embryo, unlike the fallopian tube.

Why is an ectopic pregnancy dangerous?

This diagnosis is very dangerous for a woman, as it can lead to a rupture of the organ on which the embryo develops.

Often a woman does not attach importance to any of the above symptoms until there is severe cramping pain in the abdomen, which can even lead to loss of consciousness. The woman begins to feel severe weakness, which is caused by internal bleeding. In this case, you should not hesitate, it is necessary to urgently take the woman to the hospital, where she will undergo the necessary surgical operation.

To avoid disaster, you need to monitor your condition. If you have a delay, urgently go to the gynecologist, especially if it is accompanied by severe pain in the lower abdomen and incomprehensible spotting.

Is it possible to detect an ectopic pregnancy by the hCG hormone?

This question interests almost every woman. The answer here is unambiguous - it is impossible. After all, an ectopic pregnancy differs from a uterine one only in the wrong location of the embryo in the woman's body. In this case, hCG develops normally until the termination or termination of pregnancy.

How to determine if a pregnancy is normal or ectopic?

It can only be determined by ultrasound. Therefore, if your pregnancy test showed a positive result, the first thing to do is an ultrasound. The gynecologist will first look for the embryo in the uterine cavity, but if he does not find it there, then his search will go to the fallopian tubes, cervix, ovaries and abdominal cavity. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the symptoms, especially if you feel sharp pains in the lower abdomen and you have a strange discharge.

In no case do not delay with the examination. Self-diagnosis, and even more self-treatment in this case is completely impossible!

When can an ectopic pregnancy be detected?

To date, pregnancy and its localization can be diagnosed as early as a week after conception using ultrasound with a transvaginal sensor.

On a conventional ultrasound, an ectopic pregnancy can be detected for a period of four weeks or more. Even if the doctor does not see the embryo itself, he may be alerted by a seal in the fallopian tube, fluid in the retrouterine space, and the size of the uterus that does not correspond to this gestational age. And from the sixth week of pregnancy on ultrasound, you can clearly see the fetus itself.

Causes of an ectopic pregnancy

It can be caused by various factors. Most often, women who have had an ectopic pregnancy had a history of surgical operations in the abdominal cavity.

Also, the cause of such a pregnancy can be untreated endometriosis or obstruction of the fallopian tubes after infections and inflammations.

Doctors believe that the lack of the hormone estrogen in the body also negatively affects the patency of the fallopian tubes.

What is important to know?

No woman is immune from an ectopic pregnancy. If you are at risk, you should definitely undergo regular examinations by a gynecologist and carefully monitor the development of pregnancy in the early stages.

It is very important to detect an ectopic pregnancy as early as possible. If the diagnosis is made in a timely manner, that is, before its catastrophic manifestation, then in most cases the embryo will be removed using the laparoscopic method, that is, through a small opening in the abdomen. At the same time, the risk of developing complications, such as secondary infertility and adhesions, is significantly reduced.

And, most importantly, do not despair. No matter how scary this diagnosis sounds, this is not the end, you still have a chance to give birth to a healthy baby in the future.