The best IVF treatment for the medical problems of women has evolved over time. Every smile is snatched & day is robbed with silence over the issues. Pearl women’s hospital and Yash IVF, Pune is one such center with a clear vision to offer the best services for every female. The very purpose of having a strong foundation is to raise the voice over such issues. When it comes to emergencies, there is no time to wait, search or run. Many Obstetric emergencies present with similar symptoms, as we have discussed in our earlier blog. The important thing is to be alert and seek appropriate medical advice quickly, get investigated and treated with minimum loss of time. One such topic is Ectopic pregnancies.

We will focus on the Ectopic pregnancies regarding concerns & symptoms, dos as well don’ts of ectopic pregnancy. This is for the information purpose only and doesn’t act as a substitute for medical advice.

Ectopic pregnancies account for 1% to 2% of all the conceptions. In normal conception, the egg is fertilized by the sperm inside the fallopian tube, then, an embryo travels through the tube and reaches the uterus in about 3 to 4 days.

However, if the fallopian tube is blocked or damaged, so could not transport the embryo to the uterus, the embryo may implant in the lining of the tube, resulting in an ectopic pregnancy. The fallopian tube cannot support the growing embryo, that’s why, after several weeks, if untreated, the tube can rupture and bleed, resulting in a potentially serious situation.

95 % of ectopic pregnancies implant in the fallopian tube, but they may also occur in the cervix or even within the abdomen (abdominal pregnancy). Most of the patients often ask, can the pregnancy be removed from tubes and then transplanted into the uterus?

Unfortunately, the answer is a Big NO as this is not possible with present medical science.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY SYMPTOMS ARE OF AN ECTOPIC PREGNANCY?

You don’t. Especially if you have no idea that you may be pregnant, this could be an emergency. Nevertheless, getting appropriate medical advice without delay is always going to help you minimise distress, discomfort and money.

If you have had unprotected sex and present with the following symptoms,

DO:

1. Take an emergency appointment with your Gynaecologist.
2. Schedule this meeting at the hospital itself rather than the clinic, so that investigations and subsequent management can be effected under one roof and without time loss.
3. Understand thoroughly that this event may require further investigation of some underlying ailment/condition.
4. Understand how this is going to affect your future pregnancies and what you may require to do subsequently for bearing a child.
5. Do follow the advice of the doctor. If you have any doubts, take a second opinion from a more qualified or reputed expert but remember the clock is ticking.

DONT’S:

1. Do not ignore the symptoms, especially if you know you are pregnant or have been planning a pregnancy or have had unprotected sex.
2. Do not self-medicate.
3. Do not refuse the surgical treatment option because it may affect your chances of a future pregnancy. There are ways to deal with that. The immediate concern is to safely negotiate the immediate crisis with medically prescribed procedures.

WHAT SYMPTOMS MIGHT I EXPERIENCE IN AN ECTOPIC PREGNANCY?

1. Delayed or abnormal bleeding can be an early sign of an ectopic pregnancy. Pelvic pain along with irregular bleeding in the first weeks of pregnancy can indicate an ectopic pregnancy due to the reasons stated above.
2. If a woman knows or suspects a pregnant and has abdominal pain, she should see the doctor on priority, even if the pain stops or reduces in intensity.
3. If a woman has any risk factors for an ectopic pregnancy, including a previous ectopic pregnancy & if her period is delayed, must seek the help of a gynaecologist.
4. Sometimes an ectopic pregnancy is suspected when ultrasound does not show a pregnancy inside the uterus.
5. Until recently, ectopic pregnancies often were not diagnosed until 6 to 8 weeks into the pregnancy. Often women experience pelvic pain, irregular vaginal bleeding, possible.
6. internal bleeding, and a tender feeling in the pelvis. Under these circumstances, it is a life-threatening emergency, and major surgery (laparotomy) was required to remove the pregnancy and control bleeding.

With the advent of better tools & understandings, fortunately, most ectopic pregnancies are now identified much earlier, often before the woman is even aware of an acute problem.

This information series is intended for the patients. We have gathered this info, by studying the content available as well as generated at our Pearl women’s Hospital & Yash IVF. Yash IVF is the best IVF hospital in Pune, headed by Dr Chaitanya Ganapule. Dr Chaitanya Ganapule is an expert in Laparoscopic as well as open surgical interventions. Laparoscopic excellence is his forte and he is considered the top Gynaecologist in Pune for this procedure.

He has a diploma in Gynec Endoscopy from France, a diploma in Pelvic Endoscopy from Germany and has recently attended & completed the “Indian Workshop of the Franco-European Multidisciplinary Endometriosis Institut in France, in 2022.

Dr Chaitanya Ganapule, a leading fertility specialist and his team, has excellent surgeon training, skill, and experience, which also play a significant role in handling the cases of ectopic surgeries.

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