Pregnancy outside the womb is a condition that can have serious consequences. To be aware of it, it is important to recognize the characteristics of pregnancy outside the womb so that it can be treated immediately and reduce the risk of complications that may occur.
Pregnancy outside the womb or in medical terms known as ectopic pregnancy, occurs when the fertilized egg does not attach to the uterus, but attaches to the wall of the fallopian tube, abdominal cavity, ovaries (ovaries), or cervix (cervix).
In this condition, the fertilized egg cannot grow normally and usually causes the death of the embryo (fetus). This death is because organs in the abdomen other than the uterus are not designed as a place for the embryo to grow and develop.
Pregnancy outside the womb can be a dangerous condition if there is a tear at the site where the embryo grows. These tears can cause heavy bleeding which can be fatal if not treated quickly.
Causes of Pregnancy Outside the womb
One of the most common causes of ectopic pregnancy is fallopian tube damage, for example due to inflammation, and triggers the formation of scar tissue.
This damage will prevent the fertilized egg from entering the uterus, so that it attaches to the wall of the fallopian tube or other organs.
In addition, imbalanced hormone levels and abnormal development of the fertilized egg sometimes also play a role in causing pregnancy outside the womb.
The characteristics of pregnancy outside the womb
At first, ectopic pregnancy tends to cause no typical symptoms. These signs of pregnancy are similar to those of a normal pregnancy. However, after the gestational age is greater, other symptoms that indicate an ectopic pregnancy will appear, including:
- Pain in the lower abdomen that usually occurs on one side
- Light bleeding from the vagina
- Pain or pressure in the rectum when having a bowel movement
- Discomfort when urinating
In addition to some of the symptoms above, there are also signs of an ectopic pregnancy that you also need to watch out for, including:
- Pelvic pain or severe abdominal pain accompanied by profuse vaginal bleeding
- Head feels very dizzy
- Shoulder pain
- Dizzy eyes
- Pale
- Cold hands and feet
- Fast heart rate
- Faint
Pregnancy outside the womb that has caused bleeding is an emergency medical condition that requires treatment as soon as possible. Therefore, you are advised to go to the hospital immediately if you experience these symptoms.
Handling Pregnancy Outside the womb
Ectopic tissue will not be able to grow normally and needs to be removed immediately to avoid the risk of more dangerous complications. The doctor will take the following steps to treat pregnancy outside the womb:
Administration of drugs
An ectopic pregnancy that is detected early and has not caused tears and bleeding at the embryo implantation site can generally be treated with injections methotrexate. This drug serves to stop the growth as well as destroy the cells that have been formed.
After that, the doctor will monitor the levels human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). If the HCG level in the blood is still high, you will be given an injection methotrexate repeat.
This drug usually begins to work effectively when you experience miscarriage-like symptoms, such as cramping, bleeding, and tissue coming out of the birth canal.
Operation procedure
Embryos attached to the fallopian tubes or other locations will be removed and repaired if possible. The surgical procedure can be performed by conventional methods (laparotomy) or by laparoscopic surgery.
If the fertilized egg attaches to the fallopian tube and causes tears and bleeding, the doctor will perform surgery to remove the fallopian tube.
Pregnancy outside the womb cannot be completely prevented. However, this condition can be detected early by conducting regular pregnancy consultations with a gynecologist.
The doctor will perform a series of tests, such as a physical exam, blood test, and a pregnancy ultrasound. This is important, especially for women who have had an ectopic pregnancy before.