|  | Family Health | Womens Health

Signs & Symptoms of Rupture With Ectopic Pregnancy

One out of every 100 pregnancies are ectopic, according to Dr. Peter Chen of the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. This means that the fertilized egg implants itself and starts to develop in an area other than a woman’s uterus--most often in a fallopian tube, but occasionally in the abdomen or cervix. If an ectopic pregnancy is allowed to grow, it can cause the tube to rupture (or burst), which potentially causes life-threatening internal bleeding. By recognizing the signs and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy, and specifically a ruptured tube, women can seek prompt emergency medical treatment for their condition.

  1. Sharp Pains in the Abdomen or Pelvis

    • While some mild cramping is often a normal pregnancy symptom, sharp, stabbing pains that come on suddenly might indicate a rupture. These pains often start on one side of the abdomen, then gain in intensity and become increasingly steady before spreading throughout your pelvic region.

    Pain or Aching in the Shoulder or Neck

    • The blood from the ruptured ectopic pregnancy can pool under the diaphragm and cause sharp pains in the neck or shoulder. This pain will be steady and intense and hard to alleviate using traditional comfort measures, such as heat packs or massage. While cramping and bleeding in early pregnancy potentially indicate an array of conditions, the shoulder and neck pain in pregnancy is a “red flag” for an ectopic rupture, according to the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board.

    Lightheadedness, Dizziness or Fainting

    • Blood loss from the rupture often leads to these symptoms. Always report any type of dizziness or lightheadedness during pregnancy to your doctor. While it can be a normal symptom, fainting during pregnancy is not that common, and a qualified medical expert needs to evaluate the causes of the lightheadedness.

    Heavy Vaginal Bleeding

    • Brown spotting or light bleeding might accompany an ectopic pregnancy. It often starts like the beginning of a light menstrual period but quickly turns into heavy, bright red bleeding when a tubal rupture occurs.

    Shock

    • Internal bleeding from a rupture can lead to shock—one of the first signs of an ectopic pregnancy in about 20 percent of cases, according to Dr. Peter Chen. A person in shock suffers from extremely low blood pressure, their lips and fingernails might turn blue and they often sweat a lot. They might appear agitated and restless and have shallow breathing and a rapid pulse. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek immediate emergency treatment.

Womens Health - Related Articles