How do you tell between an ectopic pregnancy and a viable pregnancy?
Ectopic Pregnancy
* Symptoms:
* Abdominal pain, especially on one side
* Vaginal bleeding, which may be heavy or light
* Nausea and vomiting
* Fatigue
* Dizziness or fainting
* Shoulder pain
* Diarrhea
* Risk factors:
* Previous ectopic pregnancy
* Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
* Endometriosis
* Smoking
* Age over 35
* Use of fertility drugs or in vitro fertilization (IVF)
* Diagnosis:
* Ultrasound
* Blood tests to measure hormone levels
Viable Pregnancy
* Symptoms:
* Missed period
* Fatigue
* Nausea and vomiting
* Breast tenderness
* Frequent urination
* Mood swings
* Risk factors:
* None
* Diagnosis:
* Ultrasound
* Blood tests to measure hormone levels
Treatment
* Ectopic pregnancy: Treatment for an ectopic pregnancy typically involves medication to terminate the pregnancy, or surgery to remove the pregnancy tissue.
* Viable pregnancy: Treatment for a viable pregnancy typically involves prenatal care and delivery of the baby at term.