Ectopic Pregnancy: Effects, Risks, & Prevention - Research Paper

Introduction

When women reach the childbearing age, it is common for them to be pregnant, aiming at continuing life and promote generation succession. However, there is no guarantee that pregnancy will take place as expected. In this case, ectopic pregnancy usually occurs, putting the life of the mother and fetus at risk. Many studies have examined this issue in-depth as they explain how women are affected, risk factors, and how to intervene to prevent future occurrence of the same problem.

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Ectopic pregnancy is among health problems facing women of the childbearing age. According to Moini, Hosseini, Jahangiri, Shiva, and Akhoond (2014), there is significant variance across populations, but it is about 1-2% of all reported pregnancies that are ectopic. If not treated timely, ectopic pregnancy (EP) can be fatal. Therefore, it is recommended to have frequent checks upon getting pregnancy. For a better understanding of the problem, it is vital to highlight some of the risk factors. Most have to do with conditions or procedures that cause tubal damage. In case of a previous pelvic surgery, a woman is likely to develop an EP. Other risk factors include induction of ovulation, inflammatory diseases, and induction of ovulation (Abdulkareem & Eidan, 2017). As a result, it is crucial to be wary of these factors to ensure safe conception and deliveries.

Normal Anatomy

Under normal conditions, pregnancy is supposed to occur in the uterus. Here, after the sperm meeting up with an egg, the fertilized egg gets implanted in the lining of the uterus (Wolter, 2013). The growth process then starts and affects common procedures such as the menstrual cycle that stops. In the uterus, the fertilized egg continues to replicate in the form of more cells, which help to form different body parts of the fetus. Implantation initiates a pregnancy, which usually proceeds in the uterus unless a woman gets an abnormality. It is among the most sensitive processes that a woman goes through, and the level of risk is somewhat high.

Normal Physiology

Pregnancy occurs through a link between different body parts. Besides the fallopian tube, which offers the pathway of the ova to the uterus every month, the cervix and ovary play a critical role as well. As a result, they should be healthy and functioning normally to prevent the occurrence of an EP. Ovaries produce productive hormones besides releasing the egg each month. If a woman does not have any health defects, fertility issues, tubal infection, among other challenges, these three body parts work in close connection to ensure that pregnancy takes place as expected. At all times, it is vital to ensure that the fertilized egg grows in the proper place.

Mechanism of Ectopic Pregnancy

An EP is among the riskiest pregnancy-related problems. In most cases, blockage (partial or entire) of the fallopian tube is known to cause this problem as a result of infection or inflammation. Other known causes include congenital disabilities, previous surgeries, or scar tissue. As Moini et al. (2014) further suggest, the development of an EP can be confusing since its signs are like those of a healthy pregnancy at the initial stages. Over time, however, pain intensity increases to the extent of experiencing pelvic pains and vaginal bleeding. At this point, diagnosis is crucial and can be done through a pregnancy test, ultrasound, and blood tests.

For a better understanding of the problem, it is essential to assess the common types of ectopic pregnancy. Indeed, it is the three primary parts involved in pregnancy that act as common sites for an EP. As Abdulkareem and Eidan (2017) outline, the fallopian tube is the usual site with about 75-80% of tubal EP occurring in the ampullary portion. Cervical EP can occur, although it is rare. Here, implantation of the blastocyst takes place in the endocervix. Ovarian EP is the rarest among the three variants, and it stems from the increased use of intrauterine devices (IUDs).

Prevention

As it stands, it is somewhat challenging for women to prevent EP. However, they can avoid complications; thus, early diagnosis and treatment are critical. As Abdulkareem and Eidan (2017) further suggest, women should reduce their risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Such infections increase a woman's risk of developing an EP. Above all, close monitoring of pregnancy is essential in the initial stages of pregnancy.

Treatment

EPs pose a significant danger to the mother. Their treatment falls into three primary categories. The first is medication, which helps to prevent the ectopic mass from bursting. Methotrexate is usually taken to avoid rapid cell division. According to Abdulkareem and Eidan (2017), surgery can be preferred to remove the embryo risking life and to repair internal damage. The third process is through home-based care. Home care aims to ensure that a mother's incisions remain clean and dry to allow them to heal.

Clinical Relevance

Due to the severity of an EP upon occurrence, it should be among the health challenges that deserve more attention than it happens today. Also, women should be helped to identify the possibility of an EP early through health education. Since losing a child is devastating, it is vital to make mental health for women a critical part of the health care process. These clinical implications will improve the current situation as far as the handling of women during pregnancy is concerned.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ectopic pregnancies will continue risking the lives of women if not identified as early as possible. As highlighted above, its risk factors vary and include inflammation, the use of IUDs, and the induction of ovulation. Death is a likely outcome if the mother does not get deserved help. Regarding that, early diagnosis of EPs is vital, and frequent checkups should be a priority in the initial stages of pregnancy. This intervention will help to identify any problem before it becomes severe.

References

Abdulkareem, T. A., & Eidan, S. M. (2017). Ectopic Pregnancy: Diagnosis, Prevention and Management. In Obstetrics. IntechOpen. Retrieved from https://www.intechopen.com/books/obstetrics/ectopic-pregnancy-diagnosis-prevention-and-management

eMoini, A., Hosseini, R., Jahangiri, N., Shiva, M., & Akhoond, M. R. (2014). Risk factors for ectopic pregnancy: A case-control study. Journal of research in medical sciences : the official journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 19(9), 844-849. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4268192/

eWolter, J. M. (2013). The Process of Implantation of Embryos in Primates. Embryo Project Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://embryo.asu.edu/pages/process-implantation-embryos-primates