Showing posts with label ectopic pregnancy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ectopic pregnancy. Show all posts

Friday, July 19, 2013

Understanding Ectopic Pregnancy

8:24 PM 0 Comments
     Did you know that...  symptoms of ectopic pregnancy typically include lower back, abdominal, or pelvic pain. The pain usually gets worse before it gets better and more often than not vaginal bleeding will occur.

     I am expecting my first child in March. I have to admit that I was very nervous about ectopic pregnancy and I didnot know much about the topic.  After doing some research I felt compelled to share what I learned about ectopic pregnancy with all expecting moms.

     The first thing we want to do is understand the differences between a normal pregnancy and an ectopic pregnancy. Understanding these differences will not only educate us on the topic, but it will help put that nervous nelly mind to
rest!

     During a normal pregnancy the fertilized egg enters the uterus. The uterine lining gives the fertilized egg plenty of room to divide and grow (and make your belly big).

     During a typical ectopic pregnancy, the egg does not actually reach the uterus, but gets hung up in the Fallopian tubes.  As the egg starts to grow this causes the tubes to stretch and get irritated.  Typically you will feel extreme
pain (you know your body and you will know the difference between this pain and expected pain).

     Ectopic pregnancy should not go untreated. If it’s left untreated you’re at risk of rupturing the Fallopian tube which would cause internal bleeding.

     So what causes ectopic pregnancy you ask?  Is it me or something I did or did not do?  Is it my lack of exercise?  Is it my poor diet or my extremely healthy diet? No, no and more no!

     There are a few causes for ectopic pregnancy and I will list them here: 
  1.  PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) have a HIGH occurrence of ectopic pregnancy. 
  2.  Your Fallopian tubes have cilia (almost like hair)located on the surface that help carry the fertilized egg to the final resting area the uterus.  Some women have damage to this cilia or even blockage of the tubes and this can cause ectopic pregnancy. 
  3.  Tubal ligation can cause cilia damage. The problem is that treatment for ectopic pregnancy is to use tubal surgery which increases your risk for future occurrences. 
  4.  High levels of estrogen and progesterone. These hormones can slow the egg down as it travels to the uterus. Infertility treatments can cause higher risk of ectopic pregnancies.
     Can ectopic pregnancy be treated?  What are my options if I am diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy? 

     There are basically two types of treatment for ectopic pregnancy. Nonsurgical treatment and surgical treatment. Nonsurgical treatment: Since 1993 the drug methotrexate has proven to help ectopic pregnancy if taken early on in the pregnancy. Methotrexate can interfere with the growth of the developing egg causing the cessation of pregnancy.Surgical treatment: If bleeding has already occurred, surgical intervention is necessary to stop blood loss and reduce the risk of your body going into shock.  Most surgeons use laparoscopy or laparotomy for access to the pelvis and can remedy the
affected Fallopian tube.

     Should you worry about ectopic pregnancy?  Of course, what mother would not. Make sure you do not let every ache and pain make you think you’re having one.  Just remember the things I listed.  If you conceived from fertility drugs that does not mean you will have an ectopic pregnancy, but you should monitor and pay close attention to the symptoms. This information is here to educate you and not scare you. Remember to enjoy your pregnancy and good luck with everything.

Summary:
Article explains ectopic pregnancy.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Common Pregnancy Complications

10:12 PM 1 Comments
     Complication during pregnancy is more common than most people think. Even for those who are healthy and have had children before, early pregnancy complications could arise, at no fault to anyone. This article explains some of these complications and what to watch out for.

Early pregnancy complications

     When you find you are pregnant, the first thing you must do is go see your obstetrician/gynecologist. They will perform an ultrasound to make sure that your pregnancy is advancing as it should. Regular visits to your OBGYN will prevent early pregnancy complications or at the very least, help identify them at an early stage. The two most common pregnancy complications are:

Ectopic pregnancies

     Ectopic pregnancies are one of the most common early complications. Ectopic pregnancies refer to pregnancies in which the egg is fertilized outside the womb so the fetus begins to develop in the ovary or in the fallopian tube. This can be very dangerous not only for the fetus but also for the mother. If surgery is not performed, the tubes could burst and result in internal bleeding and in some cases, even death.

Miscarriages

     Complication during pregnancy can lead to miscarriages, another common early pregnancy complication. Sometimes the cervix can open causing heavy bleeding with intense cramping pains. Other times, the baby can die in early pregnancy. When this happens, the mother can either wait for a miscarriage to occur or have a D&C. There are many different complications during pregnancy that can cause this to happen: blood clotting, infection, structural problems, or lifestyle choices such as smoking, alcohol or high caffeine intake.

High risk pregnancy

     A pregnancy that is categorized as high risk is one which has a higher chance of complications arising. You may be considered high risk if you are carrying multiple babies, have a long term illness such as diabetes, or are over the age of 35. If you are high risk, you may be asked to visit your obstetrician more regularly as the pregnancy will need to be more closely monitored than usual.

Pregnancy over 35

     It is not uncommon for a woman’s fertility to be affected over the age of 30 and once you are pregnant, you must be aware that it is more common for complications to arise. The chances of your child bearing birth defects are significantly higher than those women who are under 30 and miscarriages also become more common in the first trimester of older pregnant women. For those over 35, there will also be an increased risk of diabetes and high blood pressure. Don’t worry, as with today’s technology, almost all these complications can be treated as long as they are spotted early on.

Multiple pregnancies

     A multiple pregnancy is one in which there are two or more fetuses. It’s considered to be high risk because with more than one fetus, it has a higher chance of developing complications. Almost half of twins that are born are premature with extremely low birth weights and underdeveloped organs. This makes them very vulnerable and it is not uncommon for only one twin to survive. Twins who share a placenta could result in high amounts of amniotic fluids.

     It is important to keep this information regarding early pregnancy complications in mind during pregnancy and to regularly consult your doctor.

Summary:
     Complication during pregnancy is more common than most people think. Even for those who are healthy and have had children before, early pregnancy complications could arise, at no fault to anyone. This article explains some of these complications and what to watch out for.