need to know about ectopic pregnancies?

Question

I've been hearing about it a couple times today and I'm kinda scared about it. I've heard that I should go check it out. But that wouldnt be the best idea in my situation. My parents dont like me hanging out with my boyfriend. And I've seen him like twice. We had sex both times and I cant just be like I need to go see a obgyn and than come to find out im either ectopic pregnant or regular pregnant. I would get in trouble. If theres a chance that i was ectopic pregnant could that harm the baby? Or harm me? Or anything. I need help. What could happen? If it happened to you what did you do. Im panicking.

Answer 1

Ectopic pregnancy, also known as a tubal pregnancy, is a potentially life-threatening form of pregnancy in which implantation of the fertilized egg occurs outside the uterus. About 97% of ectopic pregnancies occur in the fallopian tube. The remainder implant in the abdominal cavity, on the ovary, or within the cervix. Heterotopic pregnancies occur in one of these areas, while there is also a pregnancy in the uterus. Approximately 100,000 ectopic pregnancies occur each year. Approximately 1 in 66 women will experience this type of pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is a very serious condition. When the pregnancy grows in these abnormal areas, it can easily cause massive, rapid bleeding, and even death.

The most likely reason for the occurrence of an ectopic pregnancy, is damaged Fallopian tubes. This can be due to a number of things:

history of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or other sexually transmitted diseases-which accounts for about 30-50% of all ectopic pregnancies (ampulla damage)

history of pelvic surgery (scar tissue outside the tube may causes constriction on the tube)

history of tubal surgery

fertility being restored through the reverse of tubal ligation

tubal ligation itself

tumors or cysts in the tubes

fibroids in the uterus (which block the tube's entrance into the uterus)

endometriosis of the fallopian tube

smoking (may damage the ampulla of the fallopian tube)

assisted reproduction techniques (IVF, GIFT, ZIFT, superovulation)

history of ectopic pregnancy

congenital defects in the structure of the tubes (e.g. exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) in utero)

hormonal imbalance (excessive levels of progesterone or estrogen may interfere with the contractions of the fallopian tube)

there is also a slightly increased risk of a pregnancy being ectopic in the case of a women conceiving while having an intra-uterine contraceptive device (IUD) in place. While there is a higher percentage of ectopic pregnancy in IUD users, the IUD does not cause ectopic pregnancies. Rather, it functions to prevent uterine pregnancies, so that any fertilization that does occur results in an ectopic pregnancy

"Ampulla" are the nodes inside the fallopian tube that push the embryo down into the uterus. You CAN NOT cause yourself to have an ectopic pregnancy. However, if possible, avoid the risks factors before you get pregnant-you may be able to significantly decrease your chances of having an ectopic pregnancy. However, an ectopic pregnancy is not always the result of an obvious defect. It can be a "fluke"--many women who are diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy do not have a recognizable risk factor or diagnosis. Pray that this is true in your case, but please take all cautionary measure available before attempting to conceive again.

Ectopic pregnancies are sometimes difficult to diagnose. An ectopic pregnancy is suspected if a woman has symptoms of a late menses, irregular vaginal bleeding, or abdominal pain. Shoulder pain and a feeling of rectal pressure is also associated with ectopic pregnancy. However, some women have no symptoms (other than those of pregnancy), making the diagnosis difficult at times.


A sensitive pregnancy test (HCG) can determine whether a pregnancy is "healthy" or not. Women with risk factors for, symptoms of, or previous history of ectopic pregnancy should be closely monitored with HCG blood tests (approximately 12 days after conception and up to 5-6 weeks after conception). In a healthy pregnancy, these levels rise in a definite pattern (doubling about 66% every two days). An ectopic pregnancy may be suspected when levels do not rise appropriately.


A pelvic ultrasound is often used to determine the presence or absence of a pregnancy within the uterine cavity. Approximately 5-6 weeks after the last menstrual period, the use of ultrasound can determine if there is a gestational sac in the uterus. The ultrasound may even detect an enlarged fallopian tube or the presence of a pelvic mass, representing an ectopic pregnancy.
Ask for a printout or a copy of the ultrasound. You may later be glad that you did!
If an ectopic pregnancy cannot be determined with an ultrasound, laparoscopy (a small, lighted camera inserted through small incisions below the navel and/or near the pubic bone) would prove more effective.
Sadly, at this time, even a viable ectopic fetus cannot be saved. About 25% of all ectopic pregnancies resolve themselves before a pregnancy has even been confirmed. When the diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy is made, the treatment options need to be considered. In some situations, emergency surgery is required to control internal bleeding. If, however, the diagnosis is made early in the pregnancy and prior to tubal rupture, medical management is an alternative.

If it is discovered in the unruptured state, a drug called Methotrexate (which prevents the rapid division of cells in the early pregnancy) can be injected (one or more times). This treatment requires close monitoring of HCG levels in the blood. Methotrexate treatment may not be suitable for all patients. HCG levels are then carefully monitored to ensure that they fall appropriately. The HCG level should return to zero in approximately four weeks. Side effects (diarrhea, mild irritation of the mouth or stomach, elevated liver enzymes) occur in about 4% percent of women treated with Methotrexate. Methotrexate may fail to resolve the ectopic pregnancy, and tubal rupture may occur. However, with careful monitoring, rupture may be avoided. The advantages of Methotrexate therapy include less tubal damage, less expense, and an increase in the possibility of future fertility
Many ectopic pregnancies are diagnosed in the emergency room, when the woman comes in with severe pelvic pain and perhaps dizziness due to the rupture of the tube and heavy internal bleeding. This necessitates more invasive surgery and may require removal of the entire tube, but not usually not the ovary.


During a laparotomy (whereby an approximately 5 cm incision is made across the lower abdomen), either a salpingostomy (the pregnancy is removed through a small incision in the tubal wall and tube is repaired), a Tubocornual Anastmosis (the portion of the tube containing the ectopic is removed, and the remaining portion is reattached to the uterus), or a Tubotubal Anastmosis (a section of the tube is removed and the two severed pieces are then stitched back together) may be performed. However, there is data suggesting that repaired tubes have a higher rate of recurrent ectopic pregnancy (in the same tube). A salpingectomy (removal of the fallopian tube, if the ectopic has already caused irreversible damage to the tube or the tube has burst) may be necessary.

Answer 2

Ectopic pregnancy is where the egg was fertilized in the tube and did not make it all the way to the uterus. They baby won't live under most circumstances and it can be fatal to you if the tube explodes due to the fetus growing.

I'm not sure how old you are but if you think you might be pregnant then you need to test and sooner or later you gonna have to say something to your parents if your pregnant. You don't have to have an adult with you to buy a pregnancy test at Wal-Mart.

Answer 3

This is nothing to mess around with! I had an ectopic pregnancy that almost took my life. Unfortunately if it is ectopic - they fetus will not survive. A medically necessary abortion will be performed via laparoscopic procedure. When you have an ectopic pregnancy - if your tube ruptures....it can kill you. Please take my advise and get this taken care of immediately. Dont worry about your parents or getting in trouble. I am sure they would much rather have you alive than not.

Answer 4

first of all. do you know FOR SURE that you are pregnant?

ectopic pregnancies are rare, but they do occasionally happen. and ectopic pregnancy is when the egg is fertilized and attaches to your body, but not inside the uterus, it attaches on the wall of the fallopian tube. your fallopian tubes are only as big as a strand of spaghetti, so they are very very painful and in all of the ectopic pregnancy cases the child dies. they either remove the fetus or remove your whole fallopian tube.

first you need to make sure you are pregnant, and if you are, i highly doubt your pregnancy is ectopic.

also- i highly suggest using condoms or better yet, get on birthcontrol. also, maybe wait to have sex with your boyfriend until youve known him more than 2 weeks.

Answer 5

Just go to the doctor or clinic to find out. If it is eptopic eventually you will be in terrible pain and it can rupture your tube so you better find out. Chances are it is normal. You need to tell your parents.