{"id":31351,"date":"2023-08-03T11:30:19","date_gmt":"2023-08-03T18:30:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/obria.org\/los-angeles\/uncategorized\/understand-the-importance-of-an-ultrasound-to-detect-an-ectopic-pregnancy\/"},"modified":"2025-07-19T05:06:59","modified_gmt":"2025-07-19T12:06:59","slug":"understand-the-importance-of-an-ultrasound-to-detect-an-ectopic-pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/obria.org\/los-angeles\/understand-the-importance-of-an-ultrasound-to-detect-an-ectopic-pregnancy\/","title":{"rendered":"Understand the Importance of an Ultrasound to Detect an Ectopic Pregnancy"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Ectopic Pregnancy: The Importance of an Ultrasound<\/span><\/h1>

Early pregnancy ultrasounds can save lives by detecting ectopic pregnancies, which are unfortunately inviable and may endanger the physical safety of the mother.<\/p>

What is an Ectopic Pregnancy
\u201cIn a normal pregnancy, the fertilized egg implants and develops in the uterus. Meanwhile, in an ectopic pregnancy, the egg implants somewhere other than the uterus \u2014 often, in the fallopian tubes\u201d (2).<\/p>

Ectopic pregnancies are inherently inviable and can often be very dangerous for the mother. Under these circumstances it is imperative that the mother manage her outcome expectations for her pregnancy and undergo any medical treatment she may need for her safety.<\/p>

The womb is specially created to hold and nurture a growing fetus. If a fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the uterus, the female body cannot support it. As it grows, it will likely burst the organ containing it, endangering the mother\u2019s life (2). Unfortunately, ectopic pregnancies will not grow or develop into a live birth (2), but at Obria we are here to help you navigate this experience.<\/p>

The womb is specially created to hold and nurture a growing fetus. If a <\/span>fertilized egg implants<\/span> somewhere other than the uterus, the female body cannot support it. As it grows, it will likely burst the organ containing it, endangering the mother\u2019s life (2). <\/span>Ectopic pregnancies <\/span>will not grow or develop into a live birth (2).\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>

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Signs and <\/span>Symptoms<\/span> of an Ectopic Pregnancy<\/span><\/span><\/h2>

An ectopic pregnancy will feel the same as a <\/span>normal pregnancy, especially<\/span> in the <\/span>first trimester<\/span>. Women will experience the typical<\/span> symptoms<\/span> of early pregnancy. This includes breast tenderness and a missed period, accompanied by a positive pregnancy test. From there, signs of ectopic pregnancy will become more obvious (3). Keep in mind, they are rare, occurring in only 11 out of every 1,000 pregnancies. If left untreated, though, these pregnancies can become dangerous (3).\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Women may experience light <\/span>vaginal bleeding <\/span>and pelvic pain.<\/span> Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy<\/span> will vary depending on where the egg has implanted. If the<\/span> fertilized egg attaches<\/span> to a fallopian tube, it is called a <\/span>tubal pregnancy<\/span>. When the <\/span>fertilized egg<\/span> is growing in the fallopian tube, shoulder pain may accompany the need for a bowel movement (4). If the egg continues to grow in the fallopian tube, the pregnancy can end in a <\/span>ruptured ectopic pregnancy<\/span>. This <\/span>medical emergency<\/span> can cause <\/span>heavy bleeding <\/span>and light-headedness, along with fainting (4).\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div>

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