Pregnant Outside the Womb, Beware of Causes and Dangers

Pregnancy outside the womb or also called an ectopic pregnancy, has the potential to be life threatening if not treated immediately. Detecting this condition early on is an effective way to avoid the risk of further harm. Come on, be aware of early symptoms, causes, and other dangers that can be caused. Pregnancy outside the womb is a pregnancy that occurs not in the womb, and this condition can certainly occur in women who are already sexually active. Pregnancy that occurs outside the uterus can occur in the ovaries, fallopian tubes (ovaries), cervix, even in the abdominal cavity. This pregnancy must be stopped immediately, either with drugs or through surgery, so as not to endanger the life of the mother.

Recognize Risk Factors and Symptoms of Pregnancy Outside the Womb

Pregnancy outside the womb generally occurs due to narrowing of the fallopian tubes. As a result, the fertilized egg cell becomes retained and then develops in the canal, causing ectopic pregnancy. Nevertheless, the cause of ectopic pregnancy is not always known with certainty. However, the following conditions are often associated as risk factors for ectopic pregnancy:

• Pregnancy at 35 years or older.
• History of pelvic inflammatory disease, which is usually caused by a sexually transmitted disease.
• Previous history of ectopic pregnancy.
• A history of surgery on the pelvis or previous abdominal cavity.
• Fertility treatment to stimulate ovulation.
• Abnormalities in the fallopian tubes.
• History of endometriosis.
• Scarring appears after the appendix has ruptured.
• Scarring from infection or surgery in the female organs.
• Pregnancy occurs when using an IUD or an intrauterine device (IUD), or after sterilization.
• Smoking habit.

Symptoms of pregnancy outside the womb can be pain in one side of the lower abdomen, vaginal bleeding, feeling dizzy or fainting, pain when urinating or defecating, and pain in the shoulder. These ectopic pregnancy symptoms can appear at 4-12 weeks gestation. Initially, this condition often does not cause any symptoms. Ectopic pregnancy can be identified through an ultrasound examination by a doctor. Therefore, it is advisable to consult an obstetrician immediately after knowing if you are pregnant.

Dangers of Pregnancy Outside the Womb that You Need to Know

Problems with pregnancy outside the womb that do not get treatment can lead to medical emergencies or fatal complications.

• Rupture of the fallopian tube which can lead to death.

The most dangerous medical emergencies are ruptured ectopic pregnancy which can cause internal bleeding, pelvic and abdominal pain, shock, and even death. The danger sign in an ectopic pregnancy is when there are sudden pale, weakness, and severe abdominal symptoms. These symptoms indicate a fallopian tube tear due to pregnancy outside the womb. Tears in the fallopian tubes or uterus can cause severe bleeding in the pelvic cavity. Therefore, patients must immediately get emergency treatment.

• Affects fertility and the chances of a subsequent pregnancy.

Pregnancy outside the womb can impact fertility and may reduce the chance of pregnancy. At least, if the other fallopian tubes are still in good condition, you have a 60% chance of getting pregnant. There are several factors related to ectopic pregnancy that can affect your fertility, including the health condition of your other fallopian tubes after ectopic pregnancy, the level of damage to your fallopian tubes after pregnancy outside the womb, and a history of infertility

• Repetitive ectopic pregnancy

does not only affect fertility, but also increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy again. In an ectopic pregnancy, the fetus grows in the fallopian tubes which can damage the surrounding tubal tissue. This allows the egg to re-entangle in the fallopian tube in subsequent pregnancies.

• Emotional problem.

Having a pregnancy outside the womb is indeed a scary and sad thing, because you have to give up your baby's fetus. Some women also become tired, stressed, and depressed due to medication, to the point of worrying about their effects on fertility and the chance of a subsequent pregnancy. But don't worry, more than half of women in the world who have had an ectopic pregnancy can still get pregnant again with a healthy pregnancy.

You just need to be more careful in being aware of the causes and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy in order to determine further steps through proper examination and treatment for this condition. If you feel you have a risk of having an ectopic pregnancy, immediately consult an obstetrician for treatment, before or after you become pregnant. Every woman who has experienced pregnancy outside the womb must do an evaluation early on in the next pregnancy to ensure that the pregnancy is inside the uterus, and not ectopic (outside the uterus). And immediately see a doctor if you see symptoms of early ectopic pregnancy such as mild bleeding in the vagina, pelvic pain during pregnancy, weakness, pale, and sudden severe abdominal pain.