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An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus. The egg can become implanted in the fallopin tubes, in the ovary, or in the cervix. The most common form of ectopic pregnancy is when the egg implants in the fallopin tube, often referred to as a tubal pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancies occur in about every 1 in 60 pregnancies.
Often a woman experiencing an ectopic pregnancy will experience all the regular early signs of pregnancy, however, they will often also experience a few other symptoms that would be red flags that something is wrong with the pregnancy. These ectopic pregnancy symptoms include:
- Sharp or stabbing pain that may come and go and vary in intensity.
- Vaginal bleeding.
- Gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Feeling of weakness, dizziness or possibly fainting.
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms along with regular early signs of pregnancy you should contact your doctor right away.
If your doctor feels that an ectopic pregnancy is possible he or she will conduct a few tests including a blood test to check your hCG levels (pregnancy hormone). A low hCG level is an indication that something may be wrong with the pregnancy. Your doctor will also conduct a pelvic exam to feel for any unusually lumps, tenderness or bleeding. Some doctors also conduct a culdocentesis where a needle is inserted into the vaginal area behind the uterus to check for bleeding (a sign of a possible ruptured fallopian tube).
An ectopic pregnancy is not a viable pregnancy and must be treated to prevent injury or worse to the mother. How your ectopic pregnancy is treated will depend on whether the pregnancy has already caused damage to your fallopian tube. These are a few of the ways your doctor may treat your ectopic pregnancy:
- If your doctor has determined that no damage has been done to the fallopian tubes he or she will administer methotrexate a drug that will allow your body to reabsorb the pregnancy.
- If your fallopian tube has been damaged some or all of the fallopian tube will need to be removed.
- If your fallopian tube has ruptured and you are bleeding internally emergency surgery will be necessary to stop the bleeding and remove the fallopian tube. Most doctors will try to preform this surgery with the less invasive laproscopic surgery if possible.
Be sure to talk with your doctor in detail about your symptoms and get all the correct tests done to make sure your ectopic pregnancy is probably diagnosed and treated.
There are several reasons that an ectopic pregnancy might occur. Some of the most common causes are:
- An infection or inflammation in the fallopian tube that caused it to be partially or completely blocked.
- Scar tissue left behind from a previous infection or surgery that causes the movement of the egg to be impeded.
- An abnormality in the shape of your tubes that caused the eggs movement to be hindered.
Some women are at an increased risk of experiencing an ectopic pregnancy. The common risk factors are:
- Over age 35.
- Have had a previous ectopic pregnancy.
- Have had pelvic or abdominal surgery in the past.
- Have or have had pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
- Have had several induced abortions.
- Women who become pregnant after a tubal ligation or while using an IUD.
Talk to your doctor if you have any of the common risk factors to find out if there is anything you can do to help prevent an ectopic pregnancy.
You can become pregnant after an ectopic pregnancy provided at least one of your fallopian tubes is left intact. Your chances of becoming pregnant are lower after an ectopic pregnancy, about 60%.
Please talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns and especially if you think you are experiencing an ectopic pregnancy.
Ectopic pregnancies can be caused by an number of things
The summer break will be over soon and for many kids the summer has meant losing touch with their school friends. It can be hard for children, especially younger ones, to stay connected with the school friends over the summer unless they live close by. The first day of school is often nerve-wracking for a lot kids especially if they haven’t seen their friends all summer. Helping your child reconnect with their school friends before school starts may aid in the transition back to school.
Here are a few tips on ways you can get the kids together with their school friends before summer is over:
- Host a picnic at the park with a few of your child’s “best” friends from school.
- If you are friends with some of the parents talk to them about doing your back to school shopping together so the kids have a chance to hang out and you’ll have a shopping buddy.
- Find out if the school or local library is hosting any activities in the last weeks of summer break and enroll your child, odds are a few other kids from his/her class will be there as well.
- Host a pool party for your child’s “best” school friends either at your house if you have a pool or at your local public pool.
- Have your child invite a few friends over for a playdate.
The key is to get them talking and reconnecting. Knowing your friends from last year are still your friends this year will make the first day of school a little easier.
Do you do anything special to help your child reconnect with their school friends before the new school year starts? What do you find works best?
Anyone with a baby or toddler knows that everything goes in the mouth, especially tasty looking things like plant leaves and flowers. If you have plants in your house or are outside playing around flowers or plants there are a few plants to watch out for as they can be dangerous and even poisonous.
Knowing which plants you have in your home or yard and knowing which plants are safe to have around your child will help you avoid an unnecessary trip to the emergency room. Here are a list of potentially hazardous plants and the symptoms caused by consuming them.
Peace Lily, Philodendron, Dumb cane and Caladium: These plants contain needle-like crystals that sting if your child takes a bite and can result in a swollen mouth (the body’s way of reacting to the sting). No treatment is usually necessary, however, if your child has other symptoms contact your doctor, if he/she has trouble breathing call 911.
Holly, Pokeweed and Yew: These plants contain toxins that will irritate your child’s digestive system resulting in an upset stomach, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Call your child’s pediatrician if your child shows symptoms and you suspect they ate one of these plants.
Azalea, Rhododendron, Lily of the valley, Foxglove and Oleander: These plants are poisonous and can result in life threatening reactions. If you suspect your child consumed one of these plants contact poison control or your pediatrician right away or call 911. Your child may show signs of lethargy or a slow pulse.
For a complete list of dangerous plants and to help determine if you have any of the above noted dangerous plants in your home visit the poison control website.
It is probably a good idea to talk to your child’s pediatrician about what to do if you child eats a potentially dangerous plant so you will know what the best course of action is, particulary if you have any of these dangerous plants in your home.
Since children can’t tell the difference between what is an ok plant to put in their mouth and what is not it is probably a good idea to teach your child from a very early age not to put plants in their mouth at all. But as we all know it isn’t always easy to keep things out of their mouths so being knowledgeable and prepared in case something happens is important.