What Is Earliest Stage to Detect a Tubular Pregnancy?

Life Threatening

• As the egg develops, the fallopian tube must expand to accommodate it. A fallopian tube is not designed to host a developing egg. There isn't enough room, and there isn't nurturing tissue present. Eventually, the tube is going to rupture and burst. The earlier this condition is diagnosed, the better outcome for the mother and her future reproductive capabilities. If caught soon enough, the tubal pregnancy can be terminated and the woman's fallopian tube saved, safeguarding her chances for another pregnancy in the future.

Symptoms

• Even with the best medical equipment, it is still hard to diagnose a pregnancy fewer than five weeks after the last menstrual period. A tubal pregnancy will initially create the same symptoms that a normal pregnancy does. A woman will miss her period, her breasts may get tender, and she may experience nausea and fatigue. However, if the pregnancy is ectopic she may experience severe pain in her left shoulder, low blood pressure, bleeding, pelvic and abdominal pain, dizziness and fainting. All pregnant women should be aware of these symptoms.

hCG Levels

• If it is an ectopic pregnancy, the level of hCG (hormone human chorionic gonadotropin) in the woman's blood will be lower than it would be in a normal pregnancy. If her uterus is not enlarged, which can be determined by a physical examination, her doctor will then look for an enlarged mass in the fallopian tubes or the uterus. If a mass is discovered, this indicates an ectopic pregnancy. An ultrasound can also be done to see where the pregnancy has occurred, but this may not be visible until after five week of pregnancy. An ultrasound and the hCG blood tests should be done at the same time. If the hCG test is negative, this excludes any major risk of an ectopic pregnancy. However, if it is positive, this confirms a pregnancy, but doesn't reveal the location of the gestational sac in the early stages of the pregnancy. An ultrasound can help find the location. However, in early ectopic pregnancies, it is difficult to clearly see the sac. If the hCG level is more than 2000 mIU/mL, and the doctor can't see a gestational sac, this is a diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy. Another test that can be employed is a blood test that shows the serum progesterone level.

Methodtrexate

• If the ectopic pregnancy is caught early enough, the growth of the embryo can be stopped when the woman is given an injection of methotrexate. Methotrexate is an anti-cancer drug which targets the quickly dividing cells of the tubal pregnancy. This medicine kills the cells. The pregnancy stops.

Laparoscopy or Surgery

• If the pregnancy has advanced, a woman may require a procedure to remove the pregnancy, which can sometimes be done via laparoscopy, which is far less invasive than the surgical procedures used in the past. However, surgery is sometimes necessary if it is an emergency situation.

The Earlier the Better

• Getting an early diagnosis can help save the fallopian tubes, which preserves fertility. Report any unusual symptoms to your doctor as soon as possible.