Contents:
- Medical Video: Fertilization (Conception)
- Is it pregnant outside the womb?
- What causes pregnancy outside the womb?
- Who is at risk of getting pregnant outside the womb?
- What are the symptoms of pregnancy outside the womb?
Medical Video: Fertilization (Conception)
Pregnancy outside the womb is one of the complications of pregnancy that can be fatal. However, only a few women know that pregnancy is not a pregnancy in general, because the symptoms are almost similar. So, what is actually pregnant outside the womb?
Is it pregnant outside the womb?
Pregnancy outside the womb, called an ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg attaches to a place other than in the womb. Almost all ectopic pregnancies occur in the fallopian tube.
The fallopian tube is a channel that connects the ovaries to the uterus. If the egg is trapped in it, the egg will not develop into a baby and your health may be risky if the pregnancy continues.
Pregnancy outside the womb includes life-threatening conditions and often occurs in the first few weeks of pregnancy. Generally, it is not easy to maintain a baby in this pregnancy condition.
What causes pregnancy outside the womb?
In many cases, it is not clear why a woman experiences an ectopic pregnancy. Sometimes this occurs when there is a problem with the fallopian tube, such as the shape or condition of the fallopian tubes that are narrow or blocked.
In addition, there are several conditions that might be the cause of ectopic pregnancy. Among them are:
- Inflammation and scarring of the fallopian tubes from previous medical conditions, infections, or as a result of surgery.
- Hormone factor.
- Genetic disorders (congenital).
- Birth defects, may be caused by a growth disorder when still a fetus in the womb.
Who is at risk of getting pregnant outside the womb?
Risk factors for ectopic pregnancy include:
- Age 35-44 years
- There is a history of previous ectopic pregnancy
- Previously had pelvic or abdominal surgery
- Hip inflammation
- Use an intrauterine device (IUD) or spiral KB as contraception
- Smoke
- Endometriosis
- Previously failed tubal ligation (sterilization surgery)
- Using fertility drugs
- History of having sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea or chlamydia
What are the symptoms of pregnancy outside the womb?
Ectopic pregnancy does not always cause symptoms and may only be detected during routine antenatal care. In addition, at the beginning of pregnancy, the symptoms are almost the same as normal pregnancies. Symptoms usually appear between the fourth to 12th week of pregnancy.
Symptoms include:
- mild vaginal bleeding
- not menstruation
- nausea and vomiting
- pain in the lower abdomen, shoulders, neck or rectum
- pain on one side of the body
- stomach cramps
- dizzy or weak
- pain when urinating or defecating
If you experience the above symptoms, see your doctor immediately.
