30 Jan What is Ectopic Pregnancy?
Ectopic pregnancy is a medical condition that occurs when a fertilized egg implants in a location outside the uterus, such as the ovary, cervix, or fallopian tube.
This condition can pose dangerous complications for the woman, and it is not a viable (growing) pregnancy. To determine whether you have an ectopic pregnancy, you’ll need an obstetric ultrasound.
Continue reading to learn more. Staying on top of your health is crucial, and Lighthouse Pregnancy Resource Center is here to help you get the facts about this condition.
Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy
When you first become pregnant, you likely won’t notice anything unusual. But as the pregnancy progresses, symptoms will start to appear.
Common symptoms include:
- Pelvic pain
- Light vaginal bleeding
Sometimes, blood can leak from the fallopian tube. If this occurs, you could experience:
- A desire to have a bowel movement
- Shoulder pain
It is vital to monitor how you’re feeling during pregnancy. If you feel something is wrong, don’t hesitate to seek medical help. If the fertilized egg is located in a fallopian tube, it can rupture. You could have heavy bleeding, severe pain, lightheadedness, and even go into shock.
Being Proactive
Certain risk factors, such as smoking and certain STIs like gonorrhea or Chlamydia, can increase your chances of having an ectopic pregnancy.
Whether the pregnancy was planned or unplanned, having an ultrasound may be able to determine whether you’re experiencing this condition. An ultrasound reveals how far along you are, whether your pregnancy is progressing normally, and if it is growing in the uterus.
If you have an ectopic pregnancy, you can seek treatment immediately before developing life-threatening complications.
No-Cost, Confidential Ultrasounds
Following a positive result from pregnancy testing at our center, Lighthouse Pregnancy Resource Center can offer an ultrasound to confirm your pregnancy medically.
You matter to us. Contact us today to request an appointment.