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| | | --[[User:Z8600021|Mark Hill]] ([[User talk:Z8600021|talk]]) 14:03, 22 August 2014 (EST) Unfortunately this student project page was not successful due to insufficient content. |
| '''Tubal Pregnancy'''
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| == Introduction ==
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| An ectopic pregnancy occurs when fertilisation of the oocyte is outside of the uterus. When fertilisation occurs in one of the fallopian tubes, it’s known as a tubal pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancies occur in approximately 1-2% of pregnancies.
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| == Symptoms ==
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| - cramping, especially on one side
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| - lower abdominal pain
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| - vaginal bleeding
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| Rupturing of the fallopian tube is the main cause of pain and requires immediate medical attention.
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| == Risk Factors ==
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| - Salpingitis or pelvic inflammatory disease
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| - Infection with sexually transmitted diseases such as Chlamydia trachomatis | |
| - Endometriosis | |
| - Contraceptive tying of fallopian tubes
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| - History of previous ectopic pregnancies
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| == Diagnosis ==
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| Ectopic pregnancies are strongly linked to maternal mortality, stemming mainly from extreme blood loss. This makes early diagnosis critical. Ectopic pregnancies in the fallopian tubes account for 80% of cases of mortality.
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| Approximately 20% of women with an ectopic pregnancy present to Emergency with sudden, severe abdominal pain, indicative of a ruptured fallopian tube. For the majority of cases: pelvic examinations, blood tests, ultrasounds and laparoscopy are used as diagnostic tools.
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| == Treatment ==
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| Laparoscopy is used to remove the ectopic pregnancy, however, if the tube can’t be repaired, it is removed entirely. With laparoscopy, surgeons make a small opening in the abdomen in order to gain access to the pelvis. An incision is made to remove the ectopic pregnancy (salpingostomy). In incidences where the fallopian tube has ruptured, abdominal surgery is used to reduce blood loss. In cases where the fallopian tube has ruptured, it's removed completely (salpingectomy).
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| Treatment with methotrexate in the early stages of the pregnancy is effective. Methotrexate stops the growth of the developing embryo and causes an abortion or is passed in menstruation.
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| == Fertility ==
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| In cases where the fallopian tube has ruptured, or is damaged, the possibility of conceiving is decreased. If the other fallopian tube is damaged by endometriosis or PID, they may need to consider IVF treatment.
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| <references>
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| <ref>BabyCentre, L.L.C (2014). Ectopic Pregnancy. Retrieved from: http://www.babycenter.com.au/a549381/ectopic-pregnancy#section7</ref>
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| <ref>The Royal Women's Hospital (2014). Ectopic Pregnancy. Retrieved from: https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/pregnancy-and-birth/pregnancy-problems/early-pregnancy-problems/ectopic-pregnancy/</ref>
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