Women face different diseases and clinical conditions during pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is one of the most common clinical conditions which could endanger a pregnant patient’s life. If not well handled, it can make its victim unable to conceive again ― at least naturally ― following an untreated fallopian tube rupture and likely death (maternal mortality).

Ectopic pregnancy is the implantation of a fertilized ovum (egg) outside the uterus and has an approximate incidence of 1.5–2.0 per cent in all pregnancies. Fertilised egg instead of moving down to the uterus to continue its growth remains instead in the fallopian tube of the intending mother. The incidence of ectopic pregnacy has significantly increased in invitro fertilisation.

Predisposing factors to ectopic pregnancy include early age of sexual intercourse, increasing maternal age, multiple sexual partners, pelvic infections, history of infertility and use of fertility drugs, previous ectopic pregnancies, and previous pelvic surgeries.

Diagnosing of ectopic pregnancy in developing countries has been facing a lot of challenges especially due to unavailability or partial availability of required equipment such as Doppler ultrasound machine. The death rate resulting from this disease has considerably declined due to more awareness and vigilance. Buty in rare cases of heterotopic pregnancy lesser alertness has been observed. Specialist have always been considerate of the intrauterine pregnancy ignoring the possibilities of ectopic pregnancy.

Patients with possibilities of multiple fertilisation especially if fertilisation is through assisted reproductive technology such as invitro fertilisation or has a family history of twinning are encouraged to ensure their doctor recommends appropriate imaging techniques and diagnoses to check for probable threat.

Tubal rupture is a common occurrence in ectopic pregnancies when not detected and attended to earlier. It is a significant cause of maternal mortality.

Women with early pregnancy complications are advise to register with Early Pregnancy Assessment Units (EPAUs) which offers rapid and definitive ultrasonographic and biochemical assessment which helps in early detection of complications.

https://webhealth.com.ng/2018/05/29/ectopic-pregnancy-ivf-might-endanger-your-life/

Source: webhealth.com.ng