Hello everyone! Today, we’re about to unravel the complexity of a condition that is relatively less known but extremely crucial for every woman to understand – Ectopic Pregnancy.

So, let’s not waste another moment and dive right in.

Ectopic Pregnancy: What is it?

Pregnancy is a beautiful journey filled with myriad processes and steps. Here, each process plays a vital role in the creation of a new life. The woman’s body becomes a marvel of nature from the moment of conception itself.

It carefully guides the fertilised egg from the ovaries through the fallopian tubes. Finally it reaches its final destination, the uterus.

In a healthy pregnancy, the fertilised egg travels smoothly through the fallopian tubes. Once it reaches the uterus, it implants itself in the uterus.

Unfortunately, sometimes things don’t go as planned. In some cases, the fertilised egg gets implanted somewhere other than the uterus. This location is often the fallopian tubes themselves. This condition is known as Ectopic Pregnancy.

It’s like a detour in the journey of life where the egg takes an alternate route, making a home outside the uterus.

Fallopian Tube: The Bridge Between The Egg and The Sperm

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the fallopian tubes’ role in this journey. Acting as a bridge between the egg and the sperm, these tiny tubes are the starting point of a miraculous journey of life. The egg and sperm meet here, resulting in fertilisation and the beginning of pregnancy.

Identifying Ectopic Pregnancy: What are the Signs?

Detecting an ectopic pregnancy is a bit tricky. But two primary methods can help identify it:

• Urine Pregnancy Test: A standard test that can reveal if you’re pregnant. However, it doesn’t specifically indicate an ectopic pregnancy.
• Beta hCG Test: This test is a more specific approach. It measures the level of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your blood, which increases during pregnancy.

Beta hCG Test: An Insight

The Beta hCG test gives us a pretty good idea about the pregnancy’s progression. A beta hCG level of 1500 suggests that 80% of pregnancies should be visible inside the uterus.

When it reaches 2000, about 90% of pregnancies should be visible. If the level hits 2500, a staggering 99% of pregnancies should be identifiable within the uterus.

Ectopic Pregnancy: What Should You Do?

Discovering an ectopic pregnancy can be quite distressing. But remember, the sooner it is diagnosed, the better. If you manage to reach your doctor on time, they can potentially treat the condition using injections to dissolve the ectopic pregnancy.

But it’s essential to seek medical help promptly to avoid any complications. 

Conclusion

This journey of understanding ectopic pregnancy might be intense, but it’s vital to remember that knowledge is power. Armed with this information, you’ll be better equipped to recognize signs and symptoms and get the necessary help.

After all, your health and the health of your unborn baby are of utmost importance.

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• About Author

  Dr. Supriya Puranik

  Gynaecologist & IVF Specialist

Often known as the last glimmer of hope for people who have lost all hope for conceiving a child, Dr. Supriya Puranik is a leading gynaecologist, high risk obstetrician and Head of IVF & Gynaecology department at Ankura Hospital for Women & Children.