Can an ectopic pregnancy be carried to term?

Written by Tang Mei Xiang
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 24, 2024
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Ectopic pregnancy refers to the implantation of a fertilized egg outside the uterine cavity, commonly known as ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy is when the pregnancy sac implants outside the uterine cavity. Because the muscle layer outside the uterine cavity is very thin, it restricts the growth of the pregnancy sac during its development. Furthermore, the trophoblast invades the local blood vessels, causing the vessels to rupture and miscarriage to occur very early in the pregnancy, potentially endangering the patient's life. Therefore, an ectopic pregnancy is an abnormal pregnancy that cannot be sustained. If an ectopic pregnancy is detected, it should be treated as early as possible.

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Written by Yan Qiao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Will an IUD cause an ectopic pregnancy?

IUD insertion can cause ectopic pregnancy because it is a minor gynecological surgery and an invasive procedure. Any invasive operation can potentially trigger pelvic inflammatory disease. The occurrence of pelvic inflammatory disease can lead to inflammation of the fallopian tubes, which is one of the main causes of ectopic pregnancy. Moreover, not every patient is suitable for an IUD. These devices come in many shapes, and there should be an optimal match between the shape of the IUD and the size and form of the uterine cavity. If the IUD does not match the patient's uterine cavity size and shape, it may not effectively prevent pregnancy, thus increasing the risk of pregnancy with the IUD in place, including the occurrence of ectopic pregnancies. In conclusion, IUD insertion can lead to ectopic pregnancies.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Ectopic pregnancy starts to cause abdominal pain at how many weeks?

Ectopic pregnancy refers to the implantation of the gestational sac outside the uterus, with over 95% of ectopic pregnancies being tubal pregnancies. Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy include lower abdominal pain, vaginal spotting, and shock. In many cases, there are no obvious clinical symptoms in the early stages of an ectopic pregnancy. This is because the gestational sac is relatively small, causing less irritation locally and not leading to significant abdominal pain. However, if the ectopic pregnancy grows significantly, it can irritate the fallopian tube and also stimulate the peritoneum, causing abdominal pain. Around five weeks, significant pain can be felt, but as the pregnancy progresses, this pain can increase in severity and may lead to rupture of the tubal pregnancy, causing hemorrhagic shock, which then necessitates emergency medical intervention.

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Written by Liu Qin
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Causes of ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy refers to the implantation of a fertilized egg outside the uterine cavity, among which tubal pregnancy is the most common type, accounting for about 95% of ectopic pregnancies. There are many causes of ectopic pregnancy, with the main cause being inflammation of the fallopian tubes. The inflammation can cause the mucous membrane of the fallopian tube to become sticky, narrowing the lumen of the tube, or impairing the function of the cilia inside the tube, leading to obstruction of the fertilized egg's movement within the tube and resulting in implantation at that location. Other causes include surgery on the fallopian tubes, poor development or abnormal function of the fallopian tubes, further development of assisted reproductive technologies, and the use of emergency contraceptive pills, also known as contraceptive failure, among others. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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ectopic pregnancy early symptoms

First, there will be a cessation of menstruation, followed by a brief period of amenorrhea, and then irregular vaginal bleeding will occur. This vaginal bleeding is usually light and droplet-like, and the color is dark red. Additionally, most women will experience pain on one side of the lower abdomen, which manifests as a distension pain. At this time, because the ectopic pregnancy in the fallopian tube has not ruptured, the enlarging embryo causes the fallopian tube to expand, leading to spasms of the tube, and thus these symptoms occur. If the condition continues to progress, the fallopian tube may rupture, resulting in acute and severe pain on one side of the lower abdomen.

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Written by Tang Mei Xiang
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How is an ectopic pregnancy treated?

The treatment methods for ectopic pregnancy include surgical treatment, medical treatment, and expectant management. Surgical treatment involves surgical intervention, which can be either conservative or radical surgery. Generally, surgery is indicated when blood HCG levels are relatively high, exceeding 3000 units per liter, or when there is a continuous increase. An ultrasound may show ectopic cardiac activity, a large mass, or it may be used when medical treatment is contraindicated, ineffective, or when vital signs are unstable and there is significant internal bleeding. These are indications for surgical treatment of an ectopic pregnancy. Additionally, there are conservative treatments and expectant management. Expectant management involves no medication, just regular monitoring of HCG levels and ultrasound examinations.