Can an ectopic pregnancy be carried to term?

Written by Tang Mei Xiang
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 24, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
42sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy?

Ectopic pregnancy initially presents with a lack of menstruation, specifically in women of childbearing age who miss their expected period and then discover they are pregnant. A few days later, they might experience light vaginal bleeding, which is usually scanty and in drips. Additionally, about 95% of affected individuals will feel pain in the lower abdomen, which typically presents as a faint cramping pain before the ectopic pregnancy ruptures. If a rupture occurs, it can lead to very severe, tearing-like intense pain. If the pain leads to internal bleeding, severe cases may result in symptoms of shock.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Jia Rui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
45sec home-news-image

What are the early signs of an ectopic pregnancy?

The precursors of an ectopic pregnancy can manifest as unilateral lower abdominal dropping pain, and there may be irregular vaginal bleeding. After 50 days of pregnancy, the gestational sac is not visible in the uterine cavity, and the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are atypical. Some people may experience severe bleeding and go into shock. In cases of ectopic pregnancy, it is imperative to go to the hospital for an ultrasound to determine the size and location of the gestational sac and confirm whether it is an ectopic pregnancy. Timely hospitalization and treatment are necessary if an ectopic pregnancy is confirmed.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Tang Mei Xiang
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 13sec home-news-image

Early symptoms of ectopic pregnancy

The early symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy, where the pregnancy test shows implantation outside the uterine cavity, indicate an ectopic pregnancy. Depending on the type of ectopic pregnancy, whether there is a miscarriage at the site where the fertilized egg attaches, or whether there is a rupture, as well as the timing, duration, and volume of bleeding, the clinical manifestations can vary. In early tubal pregnancies, if there is no miscarriage or rupture, there are generally no specific clinical symptoms, meaning there is neither abdominal pain nor vaginal bleeding. However, as the condition progresses, some typical symptoms may appear, beginning with the cessation of menstruation. Then, abdominal pain may occur. If there is no rupture, the pain or soreness is typically localized to one side of the lower abdomen. If a rupture occurs, tearing pain will be followed by lower abdominal pain, abdominal tenderness, and rebound pain, potentially leading to a shock state.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Qin
Obstetrics and Gynecology
51sec home-news-image

Is the probability of ectopic pregnancy high?

Ectopic pregnancy, as the name implies, refers to the implantation of the fertilized egg outside the uterine cavity, not within the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies most commonly occur in the fallopian tubes, accounting for about 95% of cases. Ectopic pregnancy is one of the common emergencies in gynecology and obstetrics, but its incidence is actually not high, approximately 2%-3%. However, because ectopic pregnancy is a leading cause of death in early pregnancies, it is quite alarming. In recent years, however, with the advancement of ultrasound technology, ectopic pregnancies are being diagnosed and treated earlier, significantly enhancing the survival rates and the ability to preserve fertility.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
42sec home-news-image

How is an ectopic pregnancy treated?

If symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are confirmed, further examinations are necessary before symptomatic treatment can be administered. Normally, it is essential to first determine the specific status of the ectopic pregnancy, whether there is any rupture, whether the patient's vital signs are stable, and whether there is significant internal bleeding in the abdominal cavity. If the symptoms are not severe and there is no rupture, localized conservative medicinal treatment can be administered. However, if the symptoms are severe, accompanied by hemorrhagic shock or substantial internal bleeding in the abdomen, emergency surgical treatment is required.