ectopic pregnancy

ectopic pregnancy

This is a pregnancy growing outside the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tubes. The symptoms are:

Bad pains that do not feel like period pains.
Dark bleeding like prune juice starting after the pain.
Faintness, nausea, dizziness and vomiting.

Contact your doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms as ectopic pregnancy is a dangerous situation. The pregnancy must be terminated immediately to save your life.

You will be admitted to hospital and stay overnight or a few days depending on the type of surgery you have. The surgeon will remove the pregnancy where possible by laproscope (a small incision through your navel), or by laporotomy (cutting through your abdominal wall). They will try very hard to leave your fallopian tubes intact, but if the pregnancy has left the tube badly damaged, it will need removing. When this happens, you will not be able to conceive when you ovulate on this side (the other side is unaffected) without fertility treatment.

Remember..

Do not eat or drink as your stomach must be empty before they can administer a general anaesthetic.
Pack a bag for hospital with 2 nighties, dressing gown, slippers, sanitary pads and toilet kit containing toothbrush and paste, soap, face cloth and hairbrush.
If you have other children or pets, make arrangements for their care.
Organise to take at least one week off work for laproscopic surgery, and at least two weeks for a laporotomy.

These are guidelines only as every case is different.

For more information and a forum on Ectopic Pregnancies visit ectopicpregnancyfoundation.org

what is miscarriage? | why miscarriages happen
recurrent miscarriage | ectopic pregnancy
molar pregnancy | stages of miscarriage
miscarriage at home | D&C and miscarriage treatment in NZ hospitals
your health after miscarriage | subsequent pregnancy | medical FAQ

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