Ectopic Pregnancy

How Is An Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosed?

If the doctor suspects an ectopic pregnancy, he or she will probably perform a pelvic exam to locate the pain and tenderness. To test for an ectopic pregnancy, human chorionic gonadutropin (HCG), is measured by a blood test called a quantitative HCG. In a normal pregnancy, the level of this hormone approximately doubles about every two days. In an ectopic pregnancy, the rate of this increase is usually much slower. If the levels don't increase as they should, an ectopic pregnancy is suspected.

Sometimes, though, the woman may have a high HCG level with no sign of pregnancy inside the uterus. That is why ultrasound testing is also helpful in diagnosing an ectopic pregnancy.

Progesterone is another hormone that can be measured to help in the diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy. Low levels of progesterone may indicate that a pregnancy is abnormal.

How Is An Ectopic Pregnancy Treated?

Most often, an ectopic pregnancy is treated surgically. With an ectopic pregnancy, usually the doctor's goal is to remove the pregnancy while preserving fertility.

Which technique the doctor uses (laparoscopy or laparotomy) will depend on the medical status of the woman. Laparotomy involves a large incision, which takes longer to recover from. Laparoscopy is a less extensive technique, which involves a smaller incision made near or in the naval. The surgeon inserts a long, thin instrument, called a laparoscope, into the pelvic area. The instrument is a hollow tube with a light on one end. The laparoscope allows the surgeon to remove the ectopic pregnancy and repair or remove the affected fallopian tube.

Occasionally, treatment with a medication called methotrexate can be used to dissolve an ectopic pregnancy, in a non-emergency situation. Because of the need for early diagnosis and because the drug (which is a cancer drug) has many side effects, it may not be suitable for all women.

more on Ectopic Pregnancy

--What are the Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy?
--How is Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosed?
--Ectopic Pregnancy and the Future

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