Pregnancy Lounge

Category: Complications

  • Ectopic Pregnancy and Female Sterilization

    A study was done on approximately ten thousand women within ten years after sterilization. Ectopic pregnancy occurred in 7 out of 1,000 of those procedures. Women who have had sterilization and under the age of 30 are twice as likely to have a tubal pregnancy as older women.

    Researchers have determined that ectopic pregnancy can occur many years after sterilization. Women who think they may be pregnant should contact their health care provider immediately as ectopic pregnancy is the leading cause of pregnancy related deaths in the first trimester.

    more on Ectopic Pregnancy

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

  • Ectopic Pregnancy FAQ’s

    An ectopic pregnancy or tubal pregnancy is when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. Most are in a fallopian tube, but occasionally the egg may attach elsewhere, such as in an ovary, in the cervix or other places in the abdomen.

    The narrow fallopian tubes are not designed to hold a growing baby, so the fertilized egg in a tubal pregnancy cannot develop normally. Eventually, the thin walls of the tube stretch to the point of bursting. If that happens, it is potentially life-threatening for the woman, because of the high risk of internal bleeding and hemorrhage. If the tube bursts, it could destroy it’s ability to carry fertilized eggs on their way to the uterus in future pregnancies.

    What Causes An Ectopic Pregnancy & Who’s At Risk?

    Most ectopic pregnancies are caused by the inability of the fertilized egg to make it’s way through a fallopian tube into the uterus. This is often caused by infections such as a ruptured appendix or an inflammation caused pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can cause the tube to become party or entirely blocked.

    Scar tissue left behind from a previous infection or abdominal surgery may also interfere with the egg’s movement. Also, a condition called endometriosis; where bits of tissue (the tissue that lines the uterus) escape the uterus and become implanted on other pelvic organs- can cause scar tissue to block the fallopian tubes. This can interfere with conception or prevent the fertilized egg from arriving in the uterus.

    Another possible cause of ectopic pregnancy is an abnormally shaped tube, which may be the result of abnormal growths or even a birth defect.

    The majority of ectopic pregnancies occur in women over 35 and women who have had previous ectopic pregnancies. Also, the use of an intrauterine device (IUD), surgery on a fallopian tube, several induced abortions, infertility problems or medication taken to stimulate ovulation increases the chances of an ectopic pregnancy.

    more on Ectopic Pregnancy

    —Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy?
    —Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosis
    —After an Ectopic Pregnancy
    —Treatment of Ectopic Pregnancy

  • Ectopic Pregnancy Treatment

    Most often treatment of ectopic pregnancy is surgically. 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

    —Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy?
    —Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosis
    —After an Ectopic Pregnancy
    —Treatment of Ectopic Pregnancy

  • Ectopic Symptoms

    Ectopic pregnancy differs from other losses because many parents are unaware they even have conceived. In many cases, a pregnant woman and her doctor may not have had any reason to suspect an ectopic or tubal pregnancy. A growing baby, pushing on a tiny fallopian tube can cause great pain, even before the pregnancy is confirmed.

    Pain is usually the first sign of an ectopic pregnancy. The pain may be in the pelvis, abdomen or even the shoulder or neck (because the blood from a ruptured tubal pregnancy building up under the diaphragm). The pain is usually described as sharp and stabbing or crampy with tenderness starting on one side and often spreading throughout the abdomen.

    Brown vaginal discharge, spotting or bleeding can be intermittent or continuous and may last days or even weeks. Dizziness or light-headedness and fainting can also be warning signs. Other signs include tender breasts, nausea, vomiting and decreased blood pressure. However, it may be difficult for a doctor to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy, because the symptoms can also be present in a normal pregnancy.

    more on Ectopic Pregnancy

    —Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy?
    —Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosis
    —After an Ectopic Pregnancy
    —Treatment of Ectopic Pregnancy

  • After an Ectopic Pregnancy

    There may be a loss of potential for future pregnancies if the fallopian tube was removed. This can be an additional loss. The outlook for future pregnancies after an ectopic or tubal pregnancy mainly depends on the extent of the surgery that was done.

    Although the chances of having a successful pregnancy are lower after an ectopic pregnancy, they are still good, especially if the fallopian tube was spared. Even if one fallopian tube was removed, an egg can be fertilized in the other tube.

    If both tubes were lost, the woman may be somewhat relieved and devastated at the same time, because there may be an end to years of trying to conceive. There may be difficult decisions to face about adoption, in vitro fertilization or no more pregnancies.

    After treatment of an ectopic pregnancy, the woman will most likely need to be seen by her doctor on a regular basis to recheck her HCG level until it reaches zero. An HCG level that remains high could indicate that the ectopic tissue was not entirely removed.

    Experiencing an ectopic pregnancy may be painful both physically and emotionally. Once the crisis is over, some women find themselves relieved to know the cause o their pain. They may also begin to experience a wide range of emotions- relief, sadness, anger, guilt and possibly a sense of failure.

    A woman who has experienced an ectopic pregnancy may feel the need to talk about her experience over and over again. Talking with a supportive person can help her recognize her own feelings about the loss. There will always be reminders to the woman- of her ectopic pregnancy. A scar on her abdomen, dates on the calendar and even certain people she sees can trigger emotions and memories.

    Ectopic pregnancy is complex because the woman is faced with many different loss issues at the same time. It takes time to recover from an ectopic pregnancy and the changes it has made in the woman’s life. Some people need a few days, while others need months or even years.

    There is no right way to react to any kind of loss, including ectopic pregnancy. Some women may be completely devastated by it, while some might feel it is just an experience they have to live through. Some women may mourn deeply for their lost child, while some might feel somewhat relieved that they are no longer pregnant. The full impact of these feelings may not be realized initially. All of these emotions are normal. Feelings are not right or wrong- they just are.

    More on Ectopic Pregnancy

    —Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy?
    —Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosis
    —After an Ectopic Pregnancy
    —Treatment of Ectopic Pregnancy

  • Ectopic Pregnancy – Diagnose

    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 or tubal 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.

    more on Ectopic Pregnancy

    —Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy?
    —Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosis
    —After an Ectopic Pregnancy
    —Treatment of Ectopic Pregnancy

  • Pregnancy Complications

    Despite the fact that most women have normal, uncomplicated pregnancies, with only minor discomforts, pregnancy complications are not that uncommon. Hundreds of thousands of women have pregnancy complications every year. Among women who become pregnant in the United States each year, at least 30% have a pregnancy-related complication.

    Every year in the United States, approximately 875,000 women experience one or more pregnancy complication, about 467,200 babies are born prematurely, close to 307,000 babies are born with low birth weight and over 154,000 babies are born with birth defects. It’s predicted that this year, 1,050,000 women will develop hypertension, 420,000-840,000 will experience abnormal bleeding, 380,000 will go into labor too early, 210,000 will come down with viral infections, 139,000-420,000 women will have babies with intrauterine growth retardation, 126,000-504,000 will have gestational diabetes and 42,000 will have too much amniotic fluid.

    The majority of problems are relatively mild, but some carry significant health risk to both you and your growing baby. Complications can range from minor (morning sickness, leg cramps, edema, etc) to more serious complications that may need medical intervention including ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, incompetent cervix, bleeding in pregnancy, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), placenta previa, placental insufficiency, placental abruption, premature rupture of membranes (PROM), low or excessive amniotic fluid, preeclampsia, (pregnancy-induced hypertension) and eclampsia.

    If your doctor or midwife identifies a potential problem, they may refer you to a perinatologist, who is a specialist that handles pregnancies that are at higher-than-normal risk for complications. Under certain circumstances, a neonatologist may be called in to advise about problems that occur (or are expected to occur) shortly after delivery. A neonatologist is a pediatrician who works exclusively with newborns, specifically those born premature, have a serious injury, illness, infection or a birth defect.

    There are several specific tests done during the first trimester of pregnancy, and a few screenings later in pregnancy to help prevent certain complications, or spot them early. Your doctor or midwife can provide you with a schedule for prenatal tests. Every woman can minimize her risk of experiencing complications by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, particularly by eating well and refraining from non-prescription drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, as well as receiving regular prenatal care. It’s important to follow your doctor or midwife’s advice, to lower your risk for complications and to heighten your odds of delivering a healthy baby.

  • CMV Infections

    According to the HealthDay News, CMV risk can be significantly reduced when a drug called hyperimmune globin is used as it can keep the virus from being passed onto an unborn baby. CMV can be a dangerous virus for unborn babies and infants but is not usually dangerous to adults and children. By the age of 30, according to the March of Dimes, about half of the US population have contracted the virus. Hyperimmune globin gives a pregnant mother’s immune system a boost to fight the virus.

    Approximately one percent of all babies are born with CMV infection which can cause serious neurological problems including death. If a woman is infected during pregnancy, she has a 40% chance of passing the virus on to her newborn. There is currently no effective treatment of CMV.

    The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine and according to Dr. Patrick Duff (co-author of the study), more studies need to be done to confirm these findings.

  • Dealing with Postpartum Depression

    Having a baby is supposed to be a thrilling and exciting time, but for many women it can also be a time of fear, stress and even depression. After giving birth, many women (as many as 80% of new mothers) experience a week or two of “baby blues,” marked by mood swings, mild depression, and bouts of unexplained crying, but these feelings typically disappear quickly. Postpartum depression, on the other hand can be described as on-going or worsening intense feelings of sadness, restlessness, irritability or being consistently exhausted and unable to function. Up to 15- 30% of new mothers experience full-blown postpartum depression after delivery, which can last as briefly as 2 weeks, but as long as over a year.

    Common symptoms of postpartum depression include: constant or worsening feelings of worthlessness, helplessness or hopelessness, crying more than usual, lack of interest (or over interest) in baby or caring for baby, being unable to function, extreme exhaustion and sleeping too much (or too little), feelings of being overwhelmed or unable to cope, change in eating habits (not eating or overeating), change in weight, as well as loss of interest or pleasure in activities including sex. Also, being unable to make decisions, trouble focusing, feeling out of control or unusual feelings of rage and feelings of wanting life back the way it was before baby are common symptoms of postpartum depression. Frightening thoughts of suicide or harming baby and fear of being alone with baby that won’t go away are more serious symptoms, which a woman should seek help for immediately.

    << click for the rest of the article on postpartum depression >>

    Depression During Pregnancy
    Postpartum Depression
    Depression After Delivery