Ectopic Pregnancy Specialist in Midtown, Manhattan, NYC

Ectopic Pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fetus begins to form outside of the womb. It’s a pregnancy that happens anywhere except inside the uterus where it’s supposed to happen. An ectopic pregnancy is life-threatening for the mother and cannot support the full-term growth of the baby.

Commonly, a fertilized egg travels to the womb, or uterus, through the fallopian tube. Sometimes, the egg becomes blocked for some reason and cannot continue along the path. Left untreated, the tissue that begins to grow from the egg can cause damage to surrounding organs, leaving you infertile. Any signs or symptoms may mean a severe illness or condition, and severe blood loss can lead to death. Early intervention is vital to prevent further damage. They should always be evaluated with a thorough consultation and examination by a physician for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

Ectopic Pregnancy Statistics

According to the American Pregnancy Association, ectopic pregnancies occur in about one in 50 pregnancies, representing two percent of nationwide pregnancies. Of all pregnancies that lead to death, nearly nine percent result from ectopic pregnancies.

An ectopic pregnancy doesn’t have to mean that future endeavors to conceive won’t succeed. More than a third of women will have a healthy pregnancy after having an ectopic. But if you’ve had an ectopic pregnancy, your risk of having another one increases nine times over women who’ve never had one.

Risks play into the ectopic pregnancy statistics because having an appendectomy doubles the chances that you’ll have an ectopic pregnancy. You also are at greater risk if you’re over the age of 35 or under the age of 20.

Placement Varies

An ectopic pregnancy usually occurs in the fallopian tubes, so an ectopic pregnancy is often called a tubal pregnancy. Though less common, an ectopic pregnancy can also happen in the cervix, the neck of the uterus, ovaries, or abdominal cavity.

A heterotopic pregnancy happens when you have a normal pregnancy and an ectopic pregnancy at the same time. Very uncommon in natural forms of conception, heterotopic pregnancies usually occur after some level of assisted fertilization. Heterotopic pregnancy sometimes is also referred to as combined ectopic pregnancy, coincident pregnancy, or multiple-sited pregnancy.

Causes Range Widely

Many ectopic pregnancies occur because the fallopian tubes are damaged or deformed somehow, causing the egg to get stuck.

Other conditions that can contribute to such an ill-fated pregnancy include:

• Having a previous tubal pregnancy
• Endometriosis
• Scarring after any abdominal surgery
• Congenital disabilities that left your fallopian tubes damaged
• Pregnancy with IUD in place
• Having had a tubal ligation
• Having multiple sexual partners
• Fertility treatments
• Pelvic infections
• Smoking

Know the Symptoms

Ectopic pregnancy pain usually begins with common symptoms you get from a regular pregnancy, such as nausea in the mornings and tenderness in your breasts. All signs and symptoms should always be evaluated with a thorough consultation and examination by a physician for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. It may be a symptom or sign of a severe illness or condition.

You’ll stop having your period and may experience one or more of the following symptoms, indicating problems:

• Vaginal bleeding
• Pelvic pain

When fallopian tube pain increases, it may indicate that a rupture could have taken place.

Signs that you need immediate emergency medical attention include:

• Nausea and vomiting accompanied by pain
• Pain in your shoulders
• Feeling faint or actually fainting
• Intense rectal pressure
• Sharp, severe, and sudden pressure and pain in your lower belly area
• Dizziness

The consequences of a rupture are life-threatening because it can lead to excessive internal bleeding.

Diagnosis Discovered

The first step in diagnosing an ectopic pregnancy is a pelvic exam where your gynecologist looks for inappropriate pain and tenderness. Sometimes, you can feel the tubal pregnancy in the fallopian tubes as it grows. Sometimes, an ultrasound can confirm the presence of a growing embryo outside the uterus.

During testing, your hormone levels are checked for abnormalities since your human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG/pregnancy hormone) levels usually are lower if you have an ectopic pregnancy.

An ultrasound is critical in conjunction with pregnancy hormone levels to identify and distinguish a normal pregnancy vs. an ectopic.

Early Treatment

Early treatment is best for your overall health and for recovering as much of your reproductive organs as possible, and early diagnosis and treatment by your physician is crucial. Methotrexate is the most common medication used to treat an ectopic pregnancy. A Midtown gynecologist must evaluate you early in pregnancy to identify an ectopic while still being treated with medicines.

If your doctor caught the problem timely, another method to treat ectopic pregnancy early is laparoscopic surgery. It begins with a tiny incision in your abdomen near your navel. Your gynecologist then relies on a thin tube equipped with a camera to view the entire oviducts and uterus. If the specialists find the ectopic tissue, they can safely remove it through the incision. If your oviducts are damaged, your doctor can also remove them at this time.

Emergency Procedures

If you experience heavy bleeding, you may have to undergo a laparotomy, which involves a larger incision. The surgeon can remove the ectopic tissue and any damaged fallopian tubes.

Heavy bleeding can lead to shock if not treated immediately with:

• Raised legs
• Fluids
• Keeping you warm
• Oxygen
• Blood transfusions
• Surgery

Recovery time following an emergency laparotomy can last as long as several weeks. If your doctor has not removed the oviducts and uterus during the surgery, you might be able to conceive again successfully.

To increase your chances of a successful pregnancy next time:

• Practice safe, monogamous sex
• Stop smoking
• Get tested early for possible STDs that could damage your fallopian tubes
• Reduce the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease by using a condom
• See your OBGYN early when you suspect that you are pregnant

Keep regular appointments to check your and your baby’s progress throughout your pregnancy.

Have questions about Ectopic Pregnancy? Please contact our office to schedule an appointment in New York with the top-rated OBGYN specialist.

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