$Unique_ID{BRK01635}
$Pretitle{Pregnancy and Childbirth}
$Title{An Explanation of Ectopic Pregnancy}
$Subject{pregnancy ectopic cause}
$Volume{K-14}
$Log{
Ectopic Pregnancy*0009001.scf}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


An Explanation of Ectopic Pregnancy


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QUESTION:  When my daughter had an "ectopic" pregnancy, the physician rushed
her to the hospital as an emergency.  Everything I have ever heard about this
condition has been frightening, but I don't know that I really know what
happened, or what the danger is.  Can you please explain this to me in simple
words.  Now that my daughter is OK, I am ready to learn.

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ANSWER:  Ectopic means "out of place."  An ectopic pregnancy is one where the
fetus starts to develop anywhere except in the uterus.  The most common site
of an ectopic pregnancy is the fallopian tubes, but it can also occur on the
ovary, in the entrance to the tube, at the point the tube joins the uterus,
and at the mouth of the uterus.
     Ectopic pregnancies are dangerous because only the uterus can expand to
accommodate a growing fetus.  A growing fetus will burst a fallopian tube
within a few weeks.  This usually kills the fetus and the bleeding that
results can kill the mother.  Although there have been instances of a healthy
baby growing outside the uterus, it is an event bordering on the miraculous.
Ectopic pregnancy is a major cause of death during pregnancy.  Less seriously,
it can result in the loss of a fallopian tube and sterility.
     Many ectopic pregnancies abort spontaneously, before the tube ruptures.
The embryo is reabsorbed into the body and the woman may never even know she
was pregnant.  The symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy include abdominal pain and
bleeding from the vagina, and is often confused with appendicitis, an
intestinal "bug," or a bladder infection.
     The incidence of ectopic pregnancies is rising.  This is primarily due to
the increase in sexually transmitted diseases, which cause scarring that
blocks the tubes, although other causes also exist.  Improvements in testing
are also raising the statistics of ectopic pregnancy as they are detected
earlier.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
