Symptoms may include:

• Bleeding that is not like the normal menstrual bleeding (may be lighter or heavier than normal),

• Abdominal pain, (sharp pains, incessant aches or spasmodic pains). Often occurring on one side of the stomach.

• Shoulder pain can also be a symptom due to a build up of blood from the ruptured tube underneath the diaphragm, which in turn causes pain that can be felt in the shoulder.

If the obstetrician suspects that you have an ectopic pregnancy, he/she may give you a pelvic exam, order blood tests and perform an ultrasound examination. The results may not be obvious immediately and may need to be repeated. In some cases, surgery may be needed to be certain of the presence of an ectopic pregnancy.  This surgery is done under general anaesthetic and uses a laparoscope (a fibre-optic instrument) through a small opening in the stomach.

If a ruptured ectopic pregnancy is suspected then immediate surgery is required.

Treatment of Ectopic Pregnancy:

Sometimes, if the pregnancy is very small and the tube is not ruptured, the foetus can be lifted out through a hole made in the fallopian tube during a laparoscopy. A little foetal tissue may remain after the procedure and will require blood testing over a few weeks after the treatment to check levels of the hormone b-HCG among other things.

If the growth of the foetal tissue outside of the womb is quite large or the amount of blood lost is thought to be life threatening, then a laparotomy (this is when a larger incision is made in the stomach) may be required. In some cases a hole is made in the fallopian tube that can allow the growth to be removed.  In other cases, some or all of the tube is removed.  The extent of the surgery depends on the size of the tissue and the level of damaged caused.

Occasionally, medication can be prescribed to stop the growth of the foetal tissue and permit the body to absorb it over time. These medications are only used when the pregnancy is small, the tube has not ruptured and there is no bleeding.  This option is not available in all countries.

If the tissue has grown so big as to cause the tube to burst, then there will be internal bleeding and surgery is required.  If only a little damage has been done to the tube, the doctor may attempt to repair it, but in most cases a ruptured tube is removed.  If at least one of the tubes has been left in place then there is a good chance of a normal pregnancy in the future. However, once an ectopic pregnancy has occurred, there is a heightened risk of having another one.  

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Trying Again : A Guide to Pregnancy After Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss

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Silent Cradle : Helping & Understanding in Time of Pregnancy Loss

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Introduction

Miscarriage - Causes

Miscarriage - Symptoms

Ectopic Pregnancy - Description

Ectopic Pregnancy - Diagnosis & Treatment

Molar Pregnancy - Description

Molar Pregnancy - Symptoms & Diagnosis

Molar Pregnancy - Treatment

The Dilation & Curettage Procedure

Handling The Loss

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