Expert Q&A
expert
Talk about ectopic pregnancy
TAO Ying.
Deputy Chief Physician Doctor of Medicine
He is a member of the Chinese Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Youth Committee Member of Reproductive Medicine Branch of Chinese Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Member of the Reproductive Medicine Committee of the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies
Member of gynecological professional committee of Tianjin Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, fallopian tube factors, and hypo-ovarian function have extensive experience in assistive conception
One patient, who was preparing to have a second child, found that something was wrong with the fallopian tubes: one side had adhesions, while the other side was thin and long. Doctors advise that the chance of a natural pregnancy is low in this case, and the probability of ectopic pregnancy is high even if it is pregnant.
What is "ectopic pregnancy"? Today, we will follow the explanation of Tao Ying, director of the Reproductive Center of Tianjin Avi Hospital, to understand ectopic pregnancy.
What is ectopic pregnancy?
In a normal pregnancy, the fertilized egg implants in the lining of the uterine cavity. When a fertilized egg implants outside the body cavity of the uterus, it is called ectopic pregnancy, also known as "ectopic pregnancy".
Why do ectopic pregnancies occur?
Ectopic pregnancy occurs mainly due to disruption of normal fallopian tube structures, such as infection, surgery, congenital anomalies, or tumors. Distortion of the fallopian tube structure may also be accompanied by functional abnormalities due to damaged tubal cilia. People with a history of ectopic pregnancy or who have had tubal surgery are at high risk.
What are the most common clinical manifestations of ectopic pregnancy?
Ectopic pregnancy symptoms most often occur 6-8 weeks after the previous normal period (i.e., 6-8 weeks of pregnancy). The most common clinical manifestations are vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain during the first trimester, but ectopic pregnancy may also be asymptomatic. Some of the symptoms of early ectopic pregnancy are the same as those typical of early pregnancy, such as no menstruation, breast tenderness, or stomach upset. Other symptoms include abnormal vaginal bleeding, lower back pain, slight pain in the lower abdomen, and unilateral slight colic in the lower abdomen.
As the tubal pregnancy becomes larger, more severe symptoms occur, especially after tubal rupture and bleeding, and sudden acute abdominal pain, shoulder pain, general weakness, dizziness, and even fainting may occur. Bleeding from rupture of fallopian tubes can be life-threatening, so early pregnancies should seek immediate medical attention if they suddenly experience acute abdominal pain, shoulder pain, or general weakness.
Have you ever had a history of ectopic pregnancy, is there a high chance of having an ectopic pregnancy again?
The high probability of re-ectopic pregnancy after a single ectopic pregnancy, called repeated ectopic pregnancy, refers to pregnancies that occur again in the fallopian tubes, ovaries, abdominal cavity, cervix or broad ligaments outside the uterine cavity after surgical treatment or conservative treatment with drugs in the first ectopic pregnancy, and the incidence rate is generally 10%-40%. After the first ectopic pregnancy is surgically treated, a series of "sequelae" such as pelvic adhesions can delay or prevent the fertilized egg from entering the uterine cavity, resulting in the occurrence of repeated ectopic pregnancies.
In addition, the previous ectopic pregnancy, regardless of conservative treatment) or conservative surgery, will have a certain impact on the normal peristalsis of the fallopian tubes and the function of the mucosa during the absorption of pregnancy or the healing of the diseased fallopian tubes. The greater the number of ectopic pregnancies, the greater the risk of re-ectopic pregnancy.
For every patient who has a history of ectopic pregnancy, the risk of having another ectopic pregnancy is present. In the process of actively preparing for pregnancy, knowing the risks and facing them rationally is the best policy.