A woman with an ectopic pregnancy may experience one or all of these symptoms; it can be a unique experience for each mother. If you have any of these symptoms you should check with your health care provider. Women who have one or more risk factors should pay close attention to how they feel during the first few weeks of pregnancy and not hesitate to call their doctor or midwife if they have any questions.
~ Abdominal Pain - In almost every case of ectopic or tubal pregnancies, the mother experiences abdominal pain. This may be a dull or widespread type of pain, usually on one side of the stomach area and unyielding. Unlike the pain of appendicitis, however, the pain around the site of the ectopic pregnancy can occur on either side of the body.
~ Sharp Pain or Sudden Increase - A tubal pregnancy that has ruptured, or is on the verge of rupturing, will often cause severe, sharp or intense cramping pains. Usually this pain will be in a localized area, rather than widespread as in early pain symptoms. These are often described as stabbing and intense. If a woman experiences this sharp kind of pain she should call a doctor immediately as this is a potentially life threatening, emergency situation.
~ Bleeding - Bleeding, as a sign or symptom of ectopic pregnancy, is hardly conclusive since many women experience some bleeding in early pregnancy. However, some women experience light to moderate bleeding before a tubal rupture and nearly experience sudden, severe bleeding after a rupture. If you have signs of bleeding along with any of the other symptoms it may be best to consult your health care provider, especially if you have one or more risk factors for ectopic pregnancy.
~ Pain During Pelvic Exam or Tubal Tenderness - During a vaginal exam a woman with an ectopic pregnancy may experience pain around the cervix area. She may also feel tenderness during palpation, and in some cases the doctor or midwife can feel the ectopic pregnancy developing outside the uterus.
~ Nausea/Vomiting and Dizziness/Fainting - As the body reacts to the out of place pregnancy a woman may experience severe nausea and vomiting or light headedness. Sometimes this can be hard to differentiate from normal morning sickness, but it isn't usually the only symptom a woman has with ectopic pregnancy. Also, severe dizziness, rapid pulse or lose of consciousness can occur when an ectopic pregnancy ruptures because of the rapid loss of blood. This is a much more obvious sign and most women instinctively know something is wrong.
What Happens if I Have a Tubal or Ectopic Pregnancy?
If you suspect an ectopic pregnancy and visit the doctor for an exam he or she will most likely be able to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy using a special ultrasound. The ultrasound may show the absence of egg and sac within the uterus, and might even be able to spot the pregnancy outside of the uterus itself, depending on location. Blood HCG tests may be ordered and carefully followed over the course of a couple days as well to verify if the ectopic pregnancy isn't spotted via ultrasound. When necessary more invasive procedures such as laparoscopic procedures may be used if an ectopic pregnancy is suspected, but can't otherwise be confirmed.
When ectopic pregnancies are found early it is easier to remove the life threatening pregnancy and maintain the integrity of the fallopian tubes to help ensure future fertility. In the case of an already ruptured tubal pregnancy, repair can sometimes be achieved, but is not be possible. The chances of future pregnancies are still strong, however, since women have two ovaries and two fallopian tubes.
More Resources: The Pregnancy Book by Dr. Sears
