Ectopic pregnancy is a dangerous pathology. The fertilized egg develops outside the uterine cavity. Most often, the reason for this pathology lies in the dysfunction of the fallopian tubes, due to their obstruction and adhesions.
Instructions
Step 1
If you have had a sexually transmitted infection (chlamydia, gonorrhea, etc.), endometriosis, inflammatory disease of the genital organs, then you are at risk. At the slightest suspicion of an ectopic pregnancy, be sure to visit a gynecologist. Even if you find out that you are pregnant and you feel great, but you know about the increased likelihood of developing an ectopic pregnancy in your case, do not expect alarming symptoms. Go to your doctor for a checkup right away.
Step 2
At the very beginning of pregnancy, the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are almost indistinguishable from normal ones. A woman has a delay in menstruation, the mammary glands swell, nausea, drowsiness, weakness, etc. appear. Therefore, to make sure that pregnancy is normal, go through an ultrasound scan.
Step 3
Get tested for the presence of the hormone chorionic gonadotropin in the body. Its concentration will be slightly underestimated in pathological pregnancy. In this case, the doctor builds on the norms of hCG, depending on the period. That is why a low level of this hormone sometimes does not show a reliable result on a home test.
Step 4
With an ectopic pregnancy on the days when menstruation was supposed to begin, spotting appears instead. This is a kind of reaction of the endometrium to the presence of a fertilized egg in the fallopian tube. Do not confuse this symptom with spontaneous abortion or menstruation.
Step 5
If your period came much later than the expected date and the discharge is unusual, scanty, be sure to make sure that this is not an ectopic pregnancy. To do this, get tested for hCG or do a pregnancy test. If the result is positive, see your doctor.
Step 6
After the examination, go through additional tests that will help determine the increase in hCG. In normal pregnancy, the amount of the hormone doubles every two days. If it doesn't, then you are most likely having an ectopic pregnancy.
