Ectopic Pregnancy

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Ectopic pregnancy is pregnancy where a fertilized egg grows outside of the uterus (womb). Normally, an egg cell fertilized by a sperm cell grows into a baby inside the uterus. In ectopic pregnancy, the egg does not attach (implant) inside the uterus and grows somewhere else. The most common place for this to happen is in the fallopian tube (tubal pregnancy). It can also implant on the outside of the uterus, on the ovary or cervix, or in the abdomen (stomach). These parts of the body cannot support a growing baby. Past infections or surgery in your abdomen may increase your risk for this condition. Taking medicines to help increase fertility (getting pregnant) or being exposed to tobacco smoke may also increase your risk.
  
  
• With this condition, you may have missed your monthly period and then later have bleeding from your vagina. You may have pain in your abdomen (stomach). You may also have nausea (upset stomach), vomiting (throwing up), and some tissue coming out of your vagina. To diagnose your condition, you may need blood, urine, and ultrasound tests. You may be watched to see if your condition changes. You may be given anti-cancer medicine or you may need surgery. You will probably lose the baby in having this condition. Diagnosing and treating your condition as soon as possible may help relieve your symptoms and prevent problems in future pregnancies.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

Medicines may cause nausea (upset stomach), vomiting (throwing up), or diarrhea (loose watery stools). Surgery may cause bleeding or infection. Even after successful treatment, you may have another ectopic pregnancy or problems with getting pregnant later on. If left untreated, parts of your reproductive system or other organs may get damaged. This may cause infection or serious bleeding, which may become life-threatening. Ask your caregiver any questions or concerns you have about your condition, treatment, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent: You have the right to understand your health condition in words that you know. You should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your condition. Your doctor should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives caregivers permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that tells exactly what will be done to you. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen.

IV: An IV is a tube placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. This tube is capped or connected to tubing and liquid.

Medicines: Your caregiver may give you the following kinds of medicines:

• Antibiotics: Antibiotics may be given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by germs called bacteria.
  
  
• Medicines for pain, swelling, or fever: You may be given medicines to treat any pain, swelling, or fever.
  
  
• Rh negative medicine: If your blood type is Rh negative, you may be given medicine to prevent you from getting antibodies against the blood type your baby had. This is done to prevent problems with future pregnancies. Ask your caregiver for more information about Rh factor incompatibility.

Tests:

• Blood and urine tests: Blood and urine will be sent to a lab for tests. These tests can show if you are currently pregnant, or if you have infections or other problems.
  
  
• Ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to show pictures of the inside of your uterus, ovaries, and abdomen. This test is usually done over your abdomen, but you may also need a vaginal ultrasound. During a vaginal ultrasound, a small tube is placed into your vagina. This helps caregivers see areas that are hard to see during an abdominal ultrasound.

Treatment options:

• Anti-cancer: Anti-cancer medicines, such as methotrexate, may be given to stop the pregnancy. They may be more effective if the condition is diagnosed early. Talk to your caregiver is you have concerns about this treatment.
  
  
• Blood transfusion: During this procedure, you will get whole blood, or parts of blood through an IV. Many people are worried about getting AIDS, hepatitis, or West Nile Virus from this procedure. The risk of this happening is rare. Blood banks test all donated blood for AIDS, hepatitis, and West Nile Virus. If you refuse this procedure, your condition may get worse, and you may die.
  
  
• Surgery: This may be used to remove the condition or damaged structures, such as a fallopian tube that has burst. Surgery may also be done to repair damaged areas of your reproductive system.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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