Overview
An ectopic pregnancy happens when the implantation of a fertilized egg occurs outside of the uterine cavity. It can implant in the fallopian tube, ovaries, uterine horn, or cervix. However, it is implanted in the fallopian tube 96 percent of the time. Hence, an ectopic pregnancy is also known as tubal pregnancy. Early ectopic pregnancies do not present obvious symptoms. Patients might find that their hCG level is lower than expected, despite having normal progesterone levels and experience light vaginal bleeding. However, those symptoms are no different from threatened miscarriages caused by uterine blood insufficiency. Hence, gynecologists discover almost all ectopic pregnancies through B-scan ultrasonography.
Embryos cannot survive in areas outside of the uterine cavity because they cannot even have secure implantation or have sufficient nutrients and space to grow. The common consensus among medical professionals is that it is not viable to save ectopic pregnancies with the current medical technologies. It is said that the best treatment method is by taking medications to stop the embryo from developing and remove the affected fallopian tube either partially or entirely.
This article will discuss other treatment methods and how to prevent recurrent ectopic pregnancy.
Treatment
- Saving the Pregnancy: Reimplantation of the Embryo
The truth is, reimplantation of the embryo from the fallopian tube into the uterus has been done before. There were success cases, but there are no guarantees of success. Also, it is not a conventional treatment method taught or practiced, which is why almost no hospitals will do this reimplantation procedure.
Antai hospital has successfully reimplanted the embryo repaired the fallopian tube using a 3D laparoscopy. Antai hospital offers this treatment method because the hospital director understands how arduous the journey towards motherhood can be and want to provide patients with a beacon of hope. While there is no guarantee of reimplantation success, Antai hospital guarantees that the procedure is safe for the mother. The process is comparable to IVF, and there is a chance for success.
For patients to be eligible for embryo reimplantation, they must make sure that their uterine cavity in an optimal condition. Most of the time, ectopic pregnancies are the result of uterine diseases.
2. Termination of Pregnancy: Removal of Embryo from the Fallopian Tube
Over 90 percent of hospitals terminate an ectopic or tubal pregnancy by removing the affected fallopian tube. However, this can have many side effects. Not only can it affect your fertility, but it can also affect your overall health.
Most of the time, patients will not be eligible for reimplantation of the embryo to save the pregnancy because uterine diseases cause most ectopic pregnancies. Hence, surgeons at Antai hospital will terminate the pregnancy with 3D laparoscopy by:
- Creating a small opening on the fallopian tube where the embryo is.
- Carefully remove the embryo
- Stitch back the opening on the fallopian tube.
- Insert in a fallopian tube stent to prevent postsurgical adhesions or blockage.
With this method, patients can safely remove the embryo and have their fallopian tubes repaired simultaneously.
Prevention of Future Ectopic Pregnancies
To wholly and adequately treat ectopic pregnancy, your treatment should target the root cause as well to prevent recurrent ectopic pregnancies. Ectopic pregnancies do not happen with no rhyme or reason. The leading causes include:
- Uterine malformation
- Pelvic adhesions
- Fallopian tubes blockage
With these diseases, there will be plenty of blockages in the uterus or damage to the fallopian tubes. Hence, the fertilized egg will face many “obstructions” traveling from the fallopian tube to the uterine cavity. As the fertilized egg cannot reach the uterine cavity, it ends up implanting on the fallopian tube.
The treatment at Antai hospital includes 3D laparoscopic surgery to remove the blockages. Medical devices such as a pear-shaped uterine stent, fallopian tube stent, and bio-adhesion barrier whenever applicable is an integral part of the treatment because it allows the internal wounds to heal nicely and prevent postsurgical adhesions entirely. They are essential because adhesions will also lead to recurrent ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages.
Antai hospital specializes in the treatment of recurrent miscarriages. Hence, we gear towards treatment methods that ensure patients can have successful pregnancies afterward, which is why Antai hospital does not remove reproductive organs unless cancerous or necessary.
So far, Antai hospital has helped over 34,000 couples suffering from recurrent miscarriages to have their rainbow baby. Contact us for more information.