Question 1

what might the very beginning symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy feel like?

Accepted Answer

Pain and bleeding: An ectopic pregnancy may start out feeling just like a normal pregnancy. However, once the embryo grows large enough to put pressure on the fallopian tube, you may start to have crampy abdominal or pelvic pain and vaginal bleeding (often after having missed a period). If this is you then you need to get to the er right away as this can become very serious very quickly if not treated properly.

Question 2

how does an ectopic pregnancy happen?

Accepted Answer

Stuck in the tube: Conception normally occurs in the fallopian tube and the embryo travels down the tube and into the uterus where it implants. If the embryo gets stuck and implants in the tube an ectopic pregnancy will occur.

Question 3

how does an ectopic pregnancy affect my gf's body?

Accepted Answer

Serious note: If identified and treated early, there's a good chance everything will resolve with no harm. There's a 30% chance of damage to her tube, but usual outlook for health and fertility is good. On the other hand...If diagnosed late, misdiagnosed, if not treated or inappropraately treated she can lose a tube and can even be life-threatening. Please don't panic, but stay on top of this.

Question 4

at what point does an ectopic pregnancy become critical? is it possible to catch one in time with regular pregnancy tests?

Accepted Answer

Ectopic pregnancy: an ectopic pregnancy may become critical at any point but the danger of rupture is greatest from 8-12 weeks.  A pregnancy test alone is inadequate to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy.  If there is pain in the ovary area and a positive pregnancy test an ultrasound is a good diagnostic tool.

Question 5

can an ectopic pregnancy look like appendicitis?

Accepted Answer

Yes: If the abdominal pain is on the right lower side, an ectopic can mimic an appendicitis.

Question 6

why is that a women will put on water weight in 2 months of being pregnant? with a ectopic pregnancy on top of that. like almost 30 pounds.

Accepted Answer

I am unaware: That you can separate ectopic pregnancy from regular pregnancy by following your weight.  As a radiologist we usually can tell you have an ectopic pregnancy by doing an ultrasound exam.  As for the weight gain this is due to the fact the baby needs all sorts of things to develop.  It has an amniotic sac, and placenta - which has a certain weight and your uterus swells up as well.

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:

What does an ectopic pregnancy feel like

A member asked:

What might the very beginning symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy feel like?

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How does an ectopic pregnancy happen?

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How does an ectopic pregnancy affect my gf's body?

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At what point does an ectopic pregnancy become critical? is it possible to catch one in time with regular pregnancy tests?

A member asked:

Can an ectopic pregnancy look like appendicitis?

A member asked:

Why is that a women will put on water weight in 2 months of being pregnant? with a ectopic pregnancy on top of that. like almost 30 pounds.

A member asked:

Ectopic pregnancy danger?

A member asked:

What causes ectopic pregnancy?

A member asked:

What helps treat ectopic pregnancy?

A member asked:

What exactly is an ectopic pregnancy?

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