Question 1

how safe is it to have an ectopic pregnancy managed by drugs?

Accepted Answer

Very: At least 80% of ectopic pregnancies that meet strict criteria can be managed with a medication called methotrexate. You need to see your obgyn to discuss the specific issues, side effects, and concerns of course. But overall, Methotrexate is very safe for managing ectopics.

Question 2

how long can an ectopic pregnancy be carried and taken care of with drugs before surgery is needed?

Accepted Answer

It depends: The length of time is related to the response seen in blood tests. If the levels show a fall, it may be possible to avoid surgery though it may take weeks.

Question 3

what's a  ectopic pregnancy? can you get rid of it with out medicine?

Accepted Answer

Basics: Ectopic means it does not start in the womb but is located in one of the two small diameter fallopian tubes. If it grows large enough, it can rupture the tube &amp; result in an emergency/death if not recognized &amp; treated with emergency surgery. There are no home treatments.

Question 4

is it safe to use drugs not an operation to remove an ectopic pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Depends: An early ectopic pregnancy can sometimes be treated medically with a medication called methotrexate.  The success of this therapy depends on the size of the ectopic, HCG level, and compliance of the patient with followup visits.  At the doses used to treat ectopic prenancy, it is generally safe and has few side-effects, however close followup is necessary to make sure that the therapy is working.

Question 5

did  having 3 previous c-sections cause me to get an ectopic pregnancy ?

Accepted Answer

Possibly: Repeated pelvic surgery, which includes a c-section can cause the formation of scar tissue (adhesions) which can block your fallopian tubes (which carry the egg from the ovary to the uterus) and then cause an ectopic pregnancy.  This is because the fertilized egg cannot reach the uterus to implant where it belongs.  Repeated c-sections are associated with reduced fertility.

Question 6

could having  previous c-sections cause me now to have a ectopic pregnancy ?

Accepted Answer

Not normally: Anyone could experience an ectopic pregnancy, but an uncomplicated cesarean would not increase your risk for an ectopic pregnancy.

Question 7

ectopic pregnancy danger?

Accepted Answer

Extremely dangerous: Pelvic/abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding in a pregnant woman are most common symptoms. These are rarely present early ectopic though, so if there's reason for concern about ectopic consult your doctor, do not rely on symptoms.

Question 8

what causes ectopic pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Damage to the tubes: Ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that implants somewhere outside the uterus.  Most often, it is in the tube but ectopics can happen on the ovary or attach to the bowel, or bladder.  Usually the tubes are damaged in some way from infection, endometriosis, or a variety of other reasons.

Question 9

what helps treat ectopic pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Surgery and meds: Depending on the size and age of the ectopic, sometimes medications can be given that will cause it to reabsorb into a woman's body and surgery will not be needed.  If it is too large, or if it has ruptured, surgery will be necessary to remove the pregnancy and stop any bleeding.

Question 10

what exactly is an ectopic pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Fetus outside uterus: When the fertilized egg implants anywhere but inside the womb, the pregnancy is called ectopic, from the greek word for out-of-place. This is a potentially life-threatening condition for the pregnant woman and is practically always non-viable for the fetus (although extremely rare abdominal pregnancies can produce a liveborn frequently at the expense of maternal life). Typically they are tubal.

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Doctor answers about:

Medicine for ectopic pregnancy

A member asked:

How safe is it to have an ectopic pregnancy managed by drugs?

A member asked:

How long can an ectopic pregnancy be carried and taken care of with drugs before surgery is needed?

A member asked:

What's a ectopic pregnancy? can you get rid of it with out medicine?

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Is it safe to use drugs not an operation to remove an ectopic pregnancy?

A member asked:

Did having 3 previous c-sections cause me to get an ectopic pregnancy ?

A member asked:

Could having previous c-sections cause me now to have a ectopic pregnancy ?

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Ectopic pregnancy danger?

A member asked:

What causes ectopic pregnancy?

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What helps treat ectopic pregnancy?

A member asked:

What exactly is an ectopic pregnancy?

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