What are the early signs of tubal pregnancy?

(May 27, 2010)

Symptoms Of Tubal Pregnancy

A tubal pregnancy is not a very common occurrence. It is the most common type of ectopic pregnancy. In a normal pregnancy, the egg, after fertilization, gets implanted in the uterine lining of the womb. However, in the case of an ectopic pregnancy, the egg is implanted outside of the womb. In rare cases the fertilized egg may be implanted in the tissues of the cervix or the abdomen but in most ectopic pregnancy cases, it occurs in the Fallopian tubes, which is why it is referred to as a tubal pregnancy.

The early symptoms of a tubal pregnancy are often confused with normal pregnancy symptoms. In particular the bleeding that occurs at this time is often confused with implantation bleeding. When the fertilized egg is implanted in the lining of the fallopian tube, it causes bleeding which generally expels the egg along with the excess blood. Medical attention is a necessity as profuse bleeding may threaten the health and even the life of the woman. This heavy bleeding generally occurs if the egg is implanted in the tissues of the tube just before it enters the uterus. When this happens the egg may invade the Sampson’s artery and will cause heavy bleeding. In most cases, the fertilized egg is expelled from the body and so the situation is resolved without any medical treatment which is referred to as a tubal abortion. If the egg is still implanted, the doctor may recommend methotrexate treatment in which case, there is generally no need for any further medical intervention.

However, if the fallopian tube is in danger of getting ruptured, a laparoscopy may be necessary. Other early symptoms of a tubal pregnancy would include pain in the lower abdomen which often resembles stomach pain or cramps. Pain while urinating or having a bowel movement is also quite common when faced with this condition. In many cases, an ectopic pregnancy can be confused with a PID or a Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. This is because both have very similar symptoms. A simple pregnancy test will help to practically rule out PID as it is very uncommon for a woman to conceive while she has a PID. If the woman suffers from severe bleeding she may also experience shoulder pain which is caused by the accumulation of blood in the abdominal cavity. An ectopic pregnancy can also be misdiagnosed as appendicitis, urinary problems, or gastrointestinal conditions.

It is important to visit your doctor as soon as you experience any bleeding or discomfort that is not part of your regular monthly cycle.

Submitted by P T on May 27, 2010 at 01:45

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