- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- preconception articles
- preconception q&a
- community & groups
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Ectopic Pregnancy
The Facts on Ectopic Pregnancy
By Michele St. Martin
She's pregnant. They're thrilled. Both husband and wife have all kinds of hopes and plans and dreams for this baby ... and then the pain begins, and they learn that no baby will be born as a result of this pregnancy. No, it's not a miscarriage: it's an ectopic pregnancy.
The word "ectopic" means out of place, and that's exactly what an ectopic pregnancy is – a pregnancy where the embryo implants not in the uterine cavity but elsewhere, most often in one of the fallopian tubes. "However, in rare instances, the cervix, ovary or abdominal organs can be the site of abnormal implantation," says Dr. David Barrere, OB/GYN.
Although in its early stages the symptoms of ectopic pregnancy can be few or none, an ectopic pregnancy that progresses can cause symptoms that are hard to miss, including severe, sharp abdominal pain, dizziness, fainting and shock. As the fetus grows in the fallopian tube, the risk of the tube rupturing – and of serious health and fertility consequences – increases.
Want to see more?
Comments
Found 3 comments
Displaying all 3 comments below
Ectopic Pregnancy by Anonymous on 12/02/2009 05:30AM
i was 7 weeks pregent i had etitopic pregan i was saced i would klikre another one but isaced i might hapen again
Re: Out of Place by anonymous on 01/02/2009 04:12PM
Hi there. I had an ectopic at 5 weeks and didn't find out until I had pain at 7 weeks. I had the baby removed and went on to get pregnant again but I had a miscarriage at 12 weeks. I lost a twin and gave birth to a healthy boy called Robert.
|
Post As:
|
||
| Enter your comment below: | ||
| Title | ||
| Comment Text | ||
| CAPTCHA | ||
| Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection. | ||
Ectopic Pregnancy by Anonymous on 04/26/2010 09:50PM
I was diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy at 7 weeks. I had none of the risk factors and it was my first pregnancy so I didn't know what to expect out of pregnancy anyway. I didn't even have bad pregnancy symptoms, just fatigue and sore breasts. Thought I was one of the lucky ones. Thankfully I still decided to go in for an early prenatal visit. That's when we got the news. While we were so saddened to hear the diagnosis, I am so thankful that I found out sooner rather than later when major damage could have been done. It's been just over 48 hours since I was given the injection and I am still waiting for my body to do what it's going to do. It's terrible awaiting the inevitable...especially with all the hormones that are still racing through my body. It's a difficult and lonely time because we hadn't told people about the pregnancy and now we don't want to tell them because the pregnancy is ending in such an abrupt and sad way. I have faith, though, that better days and fertile days are ahead. Saying a special prayer for all those women who are facing the same issue. God bless.