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| Diagnosis | It is extremely necessary to diagnose the ectopic pregnancy on its earliest terms, as it is critical for saving the reproductive health of a woman, and sometimes even for saving a woman’s life. There exist the following diagnostic tests, which are usually applied with the aim of uncovering ectopic pregnancies. These tests are:
1. Quantitative beta – hCG test. With the help of this test the level of beta – hCG, a hormone, which is present in the organism of every pregnant woman’s blood, is measured. In case of a normal pregnancy the hCG levels rise in quiet a fairly predictable manner. However, considering ectopic pregnancy, one of the most important signs of it is an abnormally rising hCG level. It is also necessary to point out that if a woman has low level of progesterone, this may also be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy.
2. Ultrasound investigation. Early pregnancy is possible to be visualized with the help of modern ultrasound equipment, which is nowadays present nearly in every doctor’s office. Thanks to the image, provided by ultrasound, a doctor is able to confirm the presence of the pregnancy sac along with the fetus somewhere outside the uterine cavity. However, it should also be noted, that sometimes, though extremely rarely, it is possible for a patient to have the pregnancy within the boundaries of the uterus, and still be suffering from ectopic pregnancy. Here the term “heteroctopic pregnancy” is applied. This possibility increases in women, who got pregnant in the result of undergoing assisted reproductive technologies, such as In Vitro Fertilization, etc.
3. Laparoscopic investigation. This procedure includes the introduction of a thin telescope, which is called laparoscope, through the navel. The very procedure is usually conducted under general anesthesia; however, the application of a local anesthesia is also possible sometimes. The laparoscope is equipped with a tiny camera, which lets the surgeon visualize the whole pelvic area and conduct the throughout examination of the fallopian tubes without having to make a big incision into the woman’s abdomen. In case if ectopic pregnancy is confirmed, it is possible to treat and / or remove the abnormal gestation during the very laparoscopic investigation.
4. Culdocentesis investigation. Nowadays this procedure is conducted rarely enough. The reason of it is the widespread availability of the less invasive tests, such as ultrasound investigation and laparoscopic investigation. Culdocentesis involves the insertion of a long thin needle into the space at the very top of the woman’s vagina, behind the uterus and in front of the rectum with the aim to determine whether blood if found there or not. The presence of blood in this area may be the possible sign of a rupture of the fallopian tube.
5. Dilation and curettage – “D & C”. This is the procedure, during which the woman’s cervix is dilated by inserting several increasingly wide dilators, made of rubber, and after that a curette, an instrument, which looks much like a spoon, is inserted into the uterus with the aim of scraping the inside lining of the uterus. This may provide assistance in determination of the location of an ectopic pregnancy.
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