Identifying The Risk Of An Ectopic Pregnancy + Everything Else You Should Know About It

Pregnancy does come with a broad range of risks and complications despite its many positively life-changing rewards. Sadly, some of those risks are potentially life-threatening – an ectopic pregnancy been one of such risks. A pregnancy is ectopic when the embryo fails to attach inside the womb. However, more women will survive the complication of an ectopic pregnancy if they had some type of fore knowledge about the risks.

A Nigerian physician, Dr. Atangwho in a Twitter thread shared detailed information on the the risk of ectopic pregnancies, how to quickly spot the signs, predisposing factors and getting help in the nick of time.

Read the information Dr Atangwho shared in his Twitter thread below:

A pregnancy is ectopic when the embryo fails to attach inside the womb.

It can cause life-threatening complications. But you can save a life by helping educate women on your timeline with this.

The bulk of ectopic pregnancies occur in or along the Fallopian tubes. Some occur elsewhere in the ovaries, cervix or even in some random location inside the abdomen.

The common symptoms of ectopic pregnancy are; * abdominal pain * vaginal bleeding, & * missing your period Other pregnancy symptoms like breast fullness & occasional nausea may be there too.

But the common danger signs of ectopic pregnancy which may signify rupture are;

rigid abdomen

severe abdominal pain

shoulder tip pain, &

signs of shock such as cold hands & feet With these signs, immediate medical attention is needed to save the woman’s life.

Your chances of having ectopic pregnancy are higher if you have;

1. Previous ectopic pregnancy

2. STI’s like gonorrhea

3. Fertility treatments like IVF

4. Fallopian tube surgeries

5. Pregnancy while using an Intrauterine Contraceptive Device

6. Smoking history.

Your doctor may choose to confirm your ectopic pregnancy using; – HCG blood test – ultrasound scan, or – laparoscopy (an operation on your abdomen).

Depending on some factors, your doctor may choose to treat it using; – expectant measures – methotrexate, or – surgery

To Prevent Ectopic Pregnancy!!

1. Limit your sexual partners & use condoms. This can help prevent STI’s & reduce pelvic inflammatory disease.

2. Don’t smoke. If you do, quit before you try to get pregnant. Although you can’t really prevent this problem, doing these can help.

In the human body, a fertilised egg can’t survive outside the uterus.

If it’s allowed to grow, it may damage nearby organs & cause life-threatening blood loss.

So it’s critical every woman knows how to identify this problem so they can report early & for lifesaving intervention.

Follow the original thread below:

The bulk of ectopic pregnancies occur in or along the Fallopian tubes.

Some occur elsewhere in the ovaries, cervix or even in some random location inside the abdomen. pic.twitter.com/tzvedCaTJQ

— First Doctor (@firstdoctorr) September 7, 2020