When a woman becomes pregnant, her body produces the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). HCG levels will usually double within 48 hours of conception and increase more dramatically during the first weeks of pregnancy.
This doubling of the hCG level is what indicates the start of a normal pregnancy. If your hCG levels are low, this could be an indication that you have an ectopic pregnancy.
Ectopic pregnancy symptoms include pain in your lower abdomen and vaginal bleeding or rupture of a fallopian tube, as well as other signs and symptoms that can indicate a life-threatening problem. In severe cases, you may need medical treatment and surgery to treat the problem or stop blood loss.
You’ll have a physical exam, blood tests and ultrasound scan to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy. This can be done in the doctor’s office or at your local hospital.
Your provider will also ask you questions about your health and family history, including any recent surgeries or injuries. They’ll want to know whether you have any risk factors for ectopic pregnancy, such as pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis.
The most common ectopic pregnancy occurs in the fallopian tube, but it can also occur in your ovary or your cervix, as well as your abdominal area. These are known as intrauterine pregnancies and are very rare, but they can cause complications if they are not diagnosed and treated early.
In some cases, the ectopic pregnancy is treated with medications to prevent it from bursting or growing. In other cases, surgery is necessary to remove the fetus and the damaged fallopian tube.
Signs and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy typically begin in the first few weeks of your pregnancy. These include a missed period, breast tenderness, nausea and vomiting.
If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately. If you don’t see your doctor, get to the emergency room right away.
You’ll need a urine test, blood test and an ultrasound. The blood test measures the amount of hCG in your bloodstream. Your provider will use this to help determine where the fertilized egg has implanted.
A transvaginal ultrasound is the most common method of diagnosing an ectopic pregnancy, but other methods are available. Your provider will insert a special ultrasound device into your vagina, allowing them to see your fallopian tubes and other organs in the abdomen.
Another type of ultrasound is called a transrectal ultrasound. This is usually used in women who have problems with their ovaries or are having trouble conceiving naturally.
An ultrasound can also be used to detect a possible miscarriage before the baby has even been born. This type of diagnosis can be difficult to make, but is often more effective than a pregnancy test.
If you have an ectopic pregnancy, your doctor will recommend treatment. This can be a series of medications that can help keep the fetus from rupturing or bleeding too much, or surgical removal of the fetus and the fallopian tube.
