Welcoming a baby is one of the most positive turning points in a person’s life. But being pregnant brings a lot of changes for the mother – both physically and mentally. As the baby grows in the womb, the mother experiences some major physical changes, such as weight gain, morning sickness, back pain, and abdominal distention. On the other hand, she also goes through hormonal changes that usually result in mood swings and lack of focus.
However, aside from these common changes, some ill-fated mothers may experience serious problems with their pregnancy, often leading to miscarriages. One such health problem in pregnant women is an ectopic pregnancy.
What is an ectopic pregnancy?
Unlike normal pregnancies where the fertilized egg travels down the fallopian tube and then attaches to the uterus, in an ectopic pregnancy the egg tends to attach to another part of the body. The part where the fertilized egg attaches is usually in the fallopian tube, which is why the condition is also known as tubal pregnancy. The condition can also be caused by abnormal development of the fertilized egg or by hormonal imbalances in the mother’s body.
complications
Although rare, this type of pregnancy can pose a life-threatening risk to the mother if the fertilized egg continues to grow in the fallopian tube. Doctors suggest that an ectopic pregnancy can cause the fallopian tube to break or burst open. This can also lead to infections, excessive internal bleeding or in the worst case even death.
Symptoms
According to doctors, the first symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are pelvic pain and light vaginal bleeding. In addition, when the blood leaks from the fallopian tube, the mother is likely to experience shoulder pain or an urge to have a bowel movement. Symptoms can also vary depending on where the blood is collected in the body and which nerve is affected.
Who are more susceptible?
Doctors believe that if a woman has had an ectopic pregnancy before, she will also experience it more often. Infections caused by sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhea can also lead to an ectopic pregnancy. In addition, habits such as smoking also increase the chance of such a complication.
Read all the latest news, breaking news and general elections here.
