1st August is Ectopic Pregnancy Awareness Day

01/08/2023

Today (1st August) is Ectopic Pregnancy Awareness Day and we are supporting our friends at the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust in highlighting the 1 in 80 pregnancies that are ectopic.

At Aching Arms, we understand that an ectopic pregnancy can be an upsetting and distressing experience, and in this article we aim to give you some further information about ectopic pregnancy.

What is an ectopic pregnancy?

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilised egg grows outside the normal lining of the womb, often in the fallopian tubes, (however it can occur in other locations such as the cervix or a scar from a C-section).

Sadly, it is not possible to save an ectopic pregnancy and some can become life threatening to the pregnant person. We understand that experiencing an ectopic pregnancy can be very difficult to come to terms with and is often traumatic, we are here for you if you need us. You can contact Lindsay or Erica in our Supporting Arms team if you would like the opportunity to talk to someone or for more information about an Ectopic Pregnancy please get in touch with the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust.

Why does it happen / What causes an ectopic pregnancy?

The cause of ectopic pregnancies are often unknown, however, there are certain factors that can increase the risk. These include:

- Previous ectopic pregnancy

- Infections in the reproductive system such as pelvic inflammatory disease

- Fertility treatment like IVF

- Fallopian tube surgery or abdominal surgeries

- Endometriosis

- Getting pregnant whilst using contraception such as an intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS) or the progesterone-only pill.

- Smoking

- Age can be a factor (there is a higher risk in women over and those who are under 18)

What are the symptoms?

If you are experiencing any combination of the below symptoms and you think you might be pregnant it is important to seek advice and help from your GP or call NHS 111 as a matter of urgency, even if you haven't had a positive pregnancy test.

Symptoms may appear as early as 4 week and typically can occur up to 12 weeks or later, these symptoms include:

- Vaginal bleeding (which may be watery or dark brown)

- Stomach pain (often on one side)

- Shoulder tip pain

- Diarrhoea

- Vomiting or Nausea

- Pain or discomfort during bowel movements or urination

- Feeling dizzy or faint

It's also important to remember that some women may not have any signs or symptoms at all.

How is ectopic pregnancy diagnosed?

Ectopic pregnancy may not always show clear signs and some symptoms can be mistaken for other conditions like stomach upset or appendicitis. Diagnosing ectopic pregnancy may be challenging, if a woman feels something is not right or experiences worrying pain, it is essential to trust her instincts and seek to be assessed by a doctor promptly.

The diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy involves several steps, such as:

- Taking a medical history,

- Doing a pregnancy test (urine or blood)

- Having an ultrasound scan and blood tests (these may be repeated over a few days.)

In some cases, a laparoscopy, a keyhole examination under general anaesthesia, is also done. If an ectopic pregnancy is detected, it is typically removed during the laparoscopy procedure.

How is it treated?

Sadly, treating an ectopic pregnancy involves ending the pregnancy, and this can be upsetting and you may require support afterwards.

Treatment is often dependent on these factors:

- Pregnancy stage

- Symptoms

- Bleeding

- hCG levels

And your local hospital facilities.

There are three treatment options, which are:

Expectant management or watchful waiting- which means to wait for the pregnancy to end naturally without treatment, and this may be suitable for early-stage pregnancies that have minimal symptoms. (You may have repeated checks to make sure the ectopic pregnancy is ending naturally)

Medication: An injection to stop the pregnancy's development, gradually causing it to disappear. Follow-up visits and contraceptive use are needed during recovery.

Surgery: Aimed at removing the ectopic pregnancy, performed either through laparoscopy (keyhole) or laparotomy (open surgery). Depending on the situation, the fallopian tube may be removed (salpingectomy) or preserved (salpingotomy) to reduce the risk of future ectopic pregnancies.

In emergency situations, such as a ruptured fallopian tube, immediate surgery is necessary to remove the ruptured tube and the ectopic pregnancy.

How might I feel?

Ectopic pregnancy may leave parents feeling a mix of emotions, you may feel incredibly upset that your pregnancy is coming to an end or has ended. You may also experience feelings of relief that you are alive, and you may be distressed, angry or worried about your future health or pregnancies, particularly if you've had to go through surgery. It's important to acknowledge that there is no wrong way to feel and over time you may experience a different range of emotions and feelings.

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust are the leading charity focusing on ectopic pregnancy. They provide support and information to anyone who has been affected or going through an ectopic pregnancy, through their leaflets and via a dedicated support line and website, which includes a moderated message board.

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