The most joyous time in a woman's life, her pregnancy, can turn to a nightmare due to pregnancy complications like tubal pregnancy. It occurs when the fertilized egg gets implemented in some other part of the body instead of the uterus.

Reasons For Tubal Pregnancy

In normal pregnancy, the egg after being released from the ovaries resides in the fallopian tube where it gets fertilized. The fertilized egg i.e. the zygote then travels to the uterus where it attaches itself and grows into a baby in nine months. But sometime this fails to happen, and after fertilization the zygote attaches itself to the fallopian tube and in some extreme cases it can grow in the abdomen, cervix or the ovaries. If it grows in the fallopian tube, which is not made to sustain a foetus, the tube ruptures causing haemorrhage to the mother. If not detected in time, it can lead to death. If it starts growing in some other body part, the body treats it like a tumour which also create medical emergency.

Detecting Ectopic Pregnancy

Medical science still is not clear on why some pregnancies become tubal pregnancy. Hence there are no guaranteed ways of preventing such a pregnancy problem. If a woman is planning to have a child and her periods are delayed by one to one and half month, and she starts experiencing excoriating pain in the abdomen and in her shoulders along with dizziness and low blood pressure, she must immediately consult a doctor. If Ultrasound fails to detect tubal pregnancy and the problem continues, the doctor may suggest a Culdocentesis test in which a needle is inserted into the vagina behind the uterus. Presence of nonclotting blood indicates ruptured tube and surgery may be suggested.

Surgery is the only option in case of tubal pregnancy. These days there is a drug called Methotrexate, which helps to dissolve the fertilized egg. This can only be done if the problem is detected early; otherwise, laparoscopy is performed to remove the zygote in a later stage. However, very often, the tube is ruptured leading to blood loss and hemorrhage putting the mother's life in danger.

Nontubal Ectopic Pregnancy

When the attachment of the foetus occurs in any other body part, it is called nontubal ectopic pregnancy. The body part may be intraabdominal organs like bowel, kidney, liver or even aorta. In such cases the foetus has to be removed through laparotomy well before it starts maturing. It is again a risky affair leading to excessive blood loss. The part of the organ has to be removed along with the placenta in such cases.

Moving On

It is a very traumatic experience for a woman to undergo such a pregnancy. She becomes weak and anemic due to severe blood loss. Future conceptions are also jeopardized due to rupturing of the fallopian tube. Family support and empathy goes a long way in helping a woman come out of such a horrifying experience. Future pregnancy should be carefully planned for the body has to heal before another conception. Fertility treatment helps a woman conceive again after the nightmarish experience of tubal pregnancy.

Pregnancy is a source of joy and signals a brighter life ahead. However, in some cases this joy could turn into a nightmare because of some rare but possible pregnancy complications such as Tubal pregnancy or Ectopic pregnancy, the pregnancy could mean a risk to the mother and the child. Maintaining a regular visit schedule with your pregnancy doctor and contacting him/her if you notice anything unusual could save you from many pregnancy problems.