Obstetrics & Gynaecology Search
Obstetrics & Gynaecology Obstetrics & Gynaecology
ectopic%20pregnancy
ECTOPIC PREGNANCY
Ectopic pregnancy happens when the fertilized ovum implants outside the endometrial lining of the uterus.
Accurate early diagnosis is life-saving, reduces invasive diagnostic procedures & allows conservative treatment that can preserve fertility.
Ectopic pregnancy must be excluded in women of reproductive age w/ a positive pregnancy test, abdominal pain & vaginal bleeding.
Ruptured ectopic pregnancy remains to be the leading cause of maternal mortality in the first trimester.

Patient Education

  • Advise the patient on the advantages and disadvantages of each treatment option
  • Women may grieve at the loss of pregnancy and may need appropriate support
  • Explain that fertility rates after either medical or surgical management are similar in patients with no history of subfertility or tubal pathology  
    • In patients with a history of subfertility, improved reproductive outcomes are observed with medical or expectant management than with surgery 
  • Women undergoing medical management should avoid alcoholic beverages, NSAIDs, vitamins containing folic acid, sexual intercourse, sun exposure due to risk of Methotrexate dermatitis, and ultrasound and pelvic examinations during Methotrexate therapy surveillance
  • Patient with confirmed ectopic pregnancy should avoid using intrauterine device as contraception since this can increase the chance of ectopic pregnancy
  • Describe the side effects of medical therapy and symptoms to monitor (eg severe abdominal pain, lightheadedness)
  • Patients should be advised regarding their risk of future ectopic pregnancy
    • In patients with no history of subfertility or tubal pathology, no difference in the risk of future tubal ectopic pregnancy or tubal patency rates is seen between the different management approaches
Digital Edition
Asia's trusted medical magazine for healthcare professionals. Get your MIMS JPOG - Malaysia digital copy today!
Sign In To Download
Editor's Recommendations
Most Read Articles
Gangliosides and cognition: An appraisal of the evidence
01 Sep 2018

Gangliosides and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) play critical roles in early childhood brain development. 
Gestational diabetes associated with CVD later in life
30 Nov 2017
Gestational diabetes was positively associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) later in life, according to a new study. Adhering to a healthy lifestyle may, however, offset this risk.
Women have greater heart disease risk despite similar symptoms as men
Pearl Toh, 06 Apr 2016
Women have more cardiac risk factors than men, yet are more likely to be categorized as being at lower risk based on standard scoring test for cardiovascular risk, according to the PROMISE* study presented at the 65th American College of Cardiology (ACC) meeting. This highlights the need for sex-specific approaches to the diagnosis of heart disease.