The signs of tubal pregnancy or not ones that are hidden; An ectopic or tubal pregnancy or eccyesis as it is also known is one of the most serious of pregnancy complications that can result in a woman never being able to carry a pregnancy to term and can lead to maternal death if not detected in time.
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the pregnancy implants at another site other than inside the uterus – it could be the ovaries, cervix or most often the fallopian tubes, which is why it is also called tubal pregnancy.
Since this pregnancy complication is so potential serious the signs of a tubal pregnancy should be looked for and detected early so that it is quickly resolved and tragedy is averted.
There are certain factors that influence a woman’s chances of having a tubal pregnancy those women should, in particular be on the lookout for signs of tubal pregnancy –
- Those women who have a history of Pelvic Inflammatory disease (PID) are more at risk of having an ectopic pregnancy.
- The scarring that results from abdominal surgery can affect the fallopian tubes, raising risk. Also those who have had any uterine surgery are seen to be more at risk.
- Women who have fertility problems are more at risk of having this dangerous pregnancy complication.
- Women who smoke also put themselves at higher risk of this problem.
- Those women who have had a previous ectopic pregnancy are more at risk of developing another.
- Women who have been exposed to Diethylstilbestrol (DES), which is a synthetic non steroidal estrogen, are also more at risk.
- An IUD, a tubal ligation or even certain birth control pills are also associated with a greater risk of tubal pregnancy. Reversing the tubal ligation causes scarring that is thought to be responsible for this increased risk.
- Older women are at higher risk of having an ectopic pregnancy.
The symptoms and signs of tubal pregnancy to watch out for are –
- Pain is the main sign of tubal pregnancy. Lower abdomen pain and inflammation is the warning sign of this condition.
- There could be one sided pain or pelvic cramping or tenderness.
- In addition a woman may have pain while urinating, having a bowel movement, or otherwise.
- External Bleeding is the other sign of tubal pregnancy, which however could be cause by certain other reasons as well and is therefore difficult to pinpoint the cause of. Bleeding in the early part of pregnancy could be due to a miscarriage or even something as normal as implantation bleeding. The bleeding that is caused in a tubal pregnancy is due to falling of progesterone levels. This bleeding which is a sign of tubal pregnancy can difficult to distinguish from other pregnancy bleeding, and so any bleeding during pregnancy should always be reported to the medical practitioner.
- There could also be internal bleeding that is caused by hemorrhaging of the affected tube. This internal bleeding could travel up to the abdominal cavity and irritate the diaphragm and even cause shoulder pain. This is one of the dangerous signs of tubal pregnancy.