Are you at Risk for an Ectopic Pregnancy?

Although the risk of pregnancy complication isUnited States as a result of complications due to
higher in c-sections, it is estimated that abouta ectopic pregnancy.
25% of all pregnant women will have at least oneLeading causes contributing to developing this
complication of pregnancy, resulting from differentpotential pregnancy complication include previous
situations, including infections, chronic disease orsurgeries in the fallopian tubes pelvic area, causing
fetal problems.adhesions, abnormality in the tube's shape caused
Bleeding is one of the most commonby birth defect or abnormal growth, sometimes
complications during pregnancy, occurring duringassociated to use or abuse of hormones, as well
the first trimester in some expectant mothers, oras infection, inflammation or scar tissue in the
in the last trimester for others. Bleeding could befallopian tubes, blocking them.
a sign of an ectopic pregnancy that yourIn the 1940s, ectopic pregnancies occurred in 1
obstetrician will have to discover.out of 30,000 pregnancies. Today, the rate has
Ectopic Pregnancy occurs in a fallopian tube afterincreased to 1 out of 4,000 pregnancies, the
a fertilized egg attaches itself to a different placereason why it is believed that this complication
rather than inside your uterus, where the eggalso occurs due to modern methods of ovarian
cannot develop normally. This complication is alsostimulation and use of fertility drugs.
called "tubal pregnancy" and is more common inIf you are suffering from dizziness, weakness,
women after 35 years of age.fainting, gastrointestinal symptoms, sharp pain in
Although an ectopic pregnancy often occurs in 1the abdomen, pelvis, shoulder and neck, or if you
out of 60 pregnant women, those women whoare having vaginal bleeding, call your doctor
have Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) are moreimmediately.
at risk of developing a pregnancy in the fallopianEctopic pregnancy is only diagnosed after a pelvic
tubes.exam or ultrasound study to determine if the
Women who had an abdominal or pelvic surgery,fetus is developing in another place other than
induced abortions, or had a previous ectopicyour uterus. However, prompt attention might
pregnancy are also at risk, and it may also occurhelp to prevent further complications and
if a woman get pregnant having an IUD in place,beginning treatment.
after having a tubal ligation.You can still have a successful labor and delivery
However, 95% of all ectopic pregnancies occur inafter being diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy,
the fallopian tubes, but 1.5% are abdominal, 0.5%even though your chances are lower in
are ovarian, and only 0.03% are cervicalcomparison to normal pregnancies, but increasing
pregnancies. Between 40 to 50 women die in theup to 60% in your next pregnancy.