Sign of ectopic pregnancy at 7 weeks

Ectopic Pregnancy | Cedars-Sinai

ABOUT CAUSES DIAGNOSIS TREATMENT NEXT STEPS

What is an ectopic pregnancy?

A pregnancy that develops outside the uterus is called an ectopic pregnancy. It almost always happens in a fallopian tube. Because of this, it’s often called a tubal pregnancy. In rare cases, an ectopic pregnancy will happen in an ovary, in the cervix, or the belly (abdomen).

What causes an ectopic pregnancy?

A fertilized egg normally moves down a fallopian tube and into the uterus. But the egg can get stuck in the tube if the tube is blocked. This might be from an infection or scar tissue. If the fertilized egg can't reach the uterus, it begins to develop in the tube.

Who is at risk for an ectopic pregnancy?

Ectopic pregnancy is more common in women who:

Have had trouble getting pregnant (infertility)
Have endometriosis. This is when uterine tissue grows in other areas of the pelvis.
Have a sexually transmitted disease. This can cause infection and scarring in the pelvis.
Had tubal surgery
Use an IUD
Had an ectopic pregnancy in the past
Have multiple sex partners
Smoke
Are older

What are the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy?

Women with an ectopic pregnancy may have irregular bleeding and pelvic or belly (abdominal) pain. The pain is often just on 1 side. Symptoms often happen 6 to 8 weeks after the last normal menstrual period. If the ectopic pregnancy is not in the fallopian tube, symptoms may happen later. The classic symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are:

Belly (abdominal) pain
No recent period
Vaginal bleeding not related to a period

How is an ectopic pregnancy diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will measure the level of the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in your blood. They will use ultrasound to check the uterus for a fetus or other pregnancy tissue. In some cases, your healthcare provider will use laparoscopy to diagnose and treat an ectopic pregnancy. This is surgery that uses a lighted tube inserted into your abdomen to check inside the pelvis. It often gives the most accurate diagnosis.

How is an ectopic pregnancy treated?

Ectopic pregnancy may be treated in several ways. This depends on whether the fallopian tube has broken open (ruptured), how far along the pregnancy is, and your hormone levels. Treatments may include:

Letting the ectopic pregnancy heal and the body absorb it on its own. This is only for certain cases.
Using the medicine methotrexate to stop the pregnancy from growing further
Using surgery (usually laparoscopy) to make a small opening in the fallopian tube. The surgeon removes the pregnancy and sometimes the tube.

In rare cases, healthcare providers must make a larger incision in the abdomen to remove the ectopic pregnancy or damaged fallopian tube.

What are possible complications of an ectopic pregnancy?

When the embryo implants in the fallopian tube, it does not have enough room to grow or enough blood flow to keep it healthy, so it dies.

The tube may start to let out some of the tissues or bleed. Some embryos do keep growing and may become large enough to burst the fallopian tube. This can cause severe bleeding and shock.

Ectopic pregnancy is the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths during the first 3 months of pregnancy in the U.S.

When should I call the healthcare provider?

Don’t ignore symptoms of ectopic pregnancy. Call your healthcare provider if you have any bleeding or pain in pregnancy.

Key points about ectopic pregnancy

Pregnancy that develops outside the uterus is called ectopic pregnancy.
Women with an ectopic pregnancy may have irregular bleeding and pelvic or abdominal pain, often on one side.
Symptoms most often appear 6 to 8 weeks after the last normal menstrual period.
Ectopic pregnancy may be treated in several ways, depending on whether the fallopian tube has burst.
Don’t ignore symptoms of ectopic pregnancy. Call your healthcare provider if you have any bleeding or pain in pregnancy.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.
At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.
Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.
Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.

Medical Reviewer: Irina Burd MD PhD

Medical Reviewer: Donna Freeborn PhD CNM FNP

Medical Reviewer: Heather M Trevino BSN RNC

7 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Tips, and More

Week 7 of your pregnancy is a period of important changes for both you and your baby. While not much is obvious from the outside, on the inside your body is preparing to nurture your child for the next several months.

Each new development or symptom brings you one step closer to meeting your baby. Here’s what you need to know about week 7.

7 weeks pregnant: What to expect

You may start to feel bloated and your breasts may start getting bigger.
Your baby is growing, too. Baby’s head and face are developing and tiny hands and feet are sprouting.
Your fatigue may be intense right now. Rest as much as you can.
You’ll want to schedule a prenatal doctor’s appointment if you haven’t yet and start focusing on good nutrition and safe activity.

By now, you probably know you’re pregnant, but some pregnant people don’t find out for sure until this week.

You don’t look pregnant yet, but you’re noticing the signs. You probably haven’t gained weight, and you may have even lost a few pounds due to morning sickness.

Your bra may feel a little tight as your breasts grow, and your pants may feel a bit uncomfortable due to bloating.

Share on PinterestIllustration by Alyssa Kiefer

Your baby is about a 1/4-inch long this week and is still considered to be an embryo. Their little spinal tail is getting smaller and will soon disappear.

During this week, your baby’s head and face are developing. Nostrils appear and eye lenses begin forming. Hands and feet are also sprouting, though at this stage they look more like little paddles than the cute hands and feet you’ll love photographing in 7 months.

Though multiples are often smaller than singletons at birth, their development each week isn’t that different until the third trimester. If you’re having multiples, your babies are each a little bigger than the top of a pencil eraser this week.

Many women have their first ultrasound between weeks 6 and 8. This is the appointment that will give you a view into your uterus to see your babies. You can also detect their heartbeats through ultrasound as early as week 6.

As your baby continues to grow, you’re likely to start experiencing early pregnancy symptoms, if you haven’t already, as well as some new symptoms.

These include:

nausea
vomiting
frequent urination
darkening of the areolas
fatigue
tender and swollen breasts
food aversions and cravings
mild pelvic cramping
occasional spotting

Food aversions and nausea

If your favorite foods seem repulsive, and you’re craving pickles and tuna fish, don’t despair. You’re experiencing food cravings and aversions related to your pregnancy. Odors that never bothered you before may suddenly make you nauseated.

Nausea, food aversions, and cravings may last throughout your pregnancy, but most women start feeling better after the first trimester.

Try to avoid any foods and odors that trigger symptoms. Give into cravings (ice cream! chocolate!) every now and then, but try to keep your diet as nutritious as possible. If you’re having trouble maintaining a balanced diet while nauseated, that’s okay.

Prenatal vitamins can help bridge the gap between your limited diet and healthy eating habits once your morning sickness goes away.

If your symptoms are extreme and you cannot keep down any food or liquids for more than 24 hours, call your doctor as this may be a sign of hyperemesis gravidarum. This is an extreme form of morning sickness.

Excess saliva

Excessive salivation and the need to spit is an annoying symptom you may experience this week. No one knows exactly what causes this, though hormones or heartburn are likely suspects.

Avoid irritants, like smoke, that may make the problem worse. Try chewing sugarless gum or sucking on hard candies. This may make it easier to swallow the excess saliva.

It’s also important to drink plenty of water. While you may feel that your mouth is extra hydrated from all the saliva, water may actually help to reduce the saliva production.

Fatigue

You may find yourself hitting the snooze button more often this week. Fatigue is common in the first and third trimesters. Try to go to bed earlier to gain some extra winks.

If your work schedule is flexible, see if you can get to work a little later. Your body is working hard, and keeping yourself refreshed is important.

Another way to boost your energy is to exercise. If you were exercising before getting pregnant, you can usually continue exercising throughout your first trimester with little change.

Check with your doctor before starting any new fitness routines, or if you have any questions or concerns about safely exercising during pregnancy.

Your pregnancy is still pretty new, but it’s not too early to start planning and practicing healthy habits. Here are a few things you can get started on during week 7.

Schedule your prenatal visit

You should schedule your first prenatal care appointment if you haven’t already. Many women have their first prenatal visit this week or at week 8. Your first visit will be the longest and most extensive checkup.

During the visit, your doctor or midwife will review your health history, determine your approximate due date, identify pregnancy risks, and give you a physical exam, including a pelvic exam with Pap smear.

You’ll have your weight and blood pressure checked, and urine and blood tests will likely be ordered.

Start prenatal exercise

If you’re feeling up to it, start a prenatal exercise program. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggests exercising 30 minutes a day to support a healthy pregnancy. Yoga, walking, and swimming are great options.

Get your doctor’s approval before running, lifting heavy weights, or doing intense cardio exercise programs.

Quit smoking

If you’re a smoker, it’s critically important to quit. Smoking increases the risk of complications during pregnancy, such as low birth weight and premature labor. It may also cause problems with the baby after birth.

It can be difficult to quit cold turkey, and smoking cessation products may be unhealthy for your developing baby. Ask your doctor for help.

Miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy are complications that may occur in the first trimester. It’s important to recognize the symptoms.

Ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that forms outside of the uterus, often in one of the fallopian tubes. It’s a life threatening emergency for the pregnant person. You may have normal early pregnancy symptoms without being aware that the embryo is developing outside your womb.

An ectopic pregnancy cannot survive. If left untreated, the area surrounding the embryo eventually ruptures. Consult a doctor immediately if you’re pregnant and experience any of the following symptoms:

abnormal vaginal bleeding
fainting or feeling faint or suddenly dizzy
low blood pressure
rectal pressure
shoulder pain
severe, sharp, sudden pelvic pain

Miscarriage

Miscarriage results in the loss of a baby during pregnancy. Most miscarriages occur in the first 12 weeks, or the first trimester, of pregnancy.

While you can still have one up to week 20, after you have passed your 12th week of pregnancy your odds of miscarriage are much lower.

Miscarriages are caused by a problem with the baby’s genes, cervix or uterine issues, hormone problems, or infection. In many cases, there’s no obvious reason for a miscarriage. Call your doctor if any of these warning signs occur:

bleeding or spotting
passage of tissue through the vagina
gush of pink vaginal fluid
abdominal or pelvic pain or cramping
dizziness, lightheadedness, or faintness

If you experience a miscarriage, take time to grieve your loss and reach out to your doctor if you need support. Most people who have miscarriages go on to have successful, full-term pregnancies.

Weight gain at week 7

It’s unlikely that the scale has shifted at this point in your pregnancy. If you’re having morning sickness, you may be finding it more difficult to eat. If you notice that you’re losing weight, speak with your doctor.

Week 7 is an exciting and important time during your pregnancy. As your body continues to prepare for nourishing a growing baby, there are some symptoms you may start to notice, like nausea and feeling extra tired.

It’s also a good time to take some healthy steps to get ready for the coming months, including scheduling doctor appointments, starting a prenatal exercise routine, and quitting smoking.

Ectopic pregnancy - signs, causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention

Ectopic pregnancy

What is an ectopic pregnancy and how does it develop?
Signs and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy
Causes of an ectopic pregnancy
Diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy
Treatment of an ectopic pregnancy
Consequences of an ectopic pregnancy
Why should you visit the Mama Papa Ya clinic?

After fertilization, the egg moves sequentially along the fallopian tube with the help of cilia of the epithelium and attaches to the inner surface of the uterus. Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy occur when such implantation occurs outside the surface of the endometrium. This occurs in 2% of all conceptions.

What is an ectopic pregnancy and how does it develop?

In this condition, the egg is attached not in the uterus, but in the fallopian tube, on the surface of the peritoneum or cervix. At this time, a home pregnancy test will be positive, but the fetal egg will not be able to fully develop and will inevitably die.

Early symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are a medical emergency. Prompt treatment reduces a woman's risk of complications and increases her chance of having a baby in the future.

Signs and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy

When a patient develops an ectopic pregnancy, early signs are normal. Observed:

delayed menstruation;
breast tenderness;
fatigue;
nausea;
frequent urination.

Later signs of ectopic pregnancy appear after 6 to 8 weeks of delayed menstruation:

slight discharge of blood from the vagina;
abdominal or pelvic pain.

With further development, the following signs and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy occur:

pain in the lower abdomen, aggravated by movement; at first, it may suddenly appear on one side, and then spread to the entire pelvic area;
severe vaginal bleeding;
soreness during intercourse or gynecological examination;
dizziness or fainting due to internal bleeding;
pale skin, cold sweat, shortness of breath, weak rapid pulse, impaired consciousness (signs of shock).

Causes of ectopic pregnancy

The most common type of pathology is tubal, in which a fertilized egg develops in the fallopian tube. Causes of an ectopic pregnancy in such a case include:

smoking: it interferes with the ability of the fallopian tube to move the fetus into the uterine cavity;
an inflammatory disease such as gonorrhea or chlamydia that has caused scarring in the tubal cavity;
previous fallopian tube operation;
previous ectopic pregnancy.

Risk factors for pathology:

woman's age over 35;
surgery for diseases of the abdominal organs;
multiple abortions;
endometriosis;
malformations of the fallopian tubes;
pregnancy resulting from the use of an intrauterine device.

Diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy

At the beginning of its development, such a pregnancy proceeds as normal, and its termination resembles a spontaneous abortion. How to recognize an ectopic pregnancy? It is very difficult to do this on your own, since such a measureable sign as basal temperature during ectopic pregnancy is not informative - the schedule before the loss of the embryo is the same as during normal gestation.

Diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy is carried out using the following methods:

gynecological examination, revealing the absence of signs of uterine pregnancy and pathological formation, for example, in the tube;
Ultrasound, which makes it possible to determine the pathology from 1 - 2 weeks of delayed menstruation, when a fetal egg is not found in the uterus;
analysis for hCG with an interval of 48 hours, normally the indicator doubles during this time, with an ectopic pregnancy, its increase in the blood is not so great.

Treatment of ectopic pregnancy

A child cannot develop outside the uterus, and the spontaneous interruption of such a pathological process is dangerous for a woman's life. Therefore, the treatment of ectopic pregnancy is only surgical:

salpingostomy - a longitudinal incision of the tube with subsequent restoration of its wall;
salpingectomy - removal of part of the tube when it is ruptured.

Both operations can be performed laparoscopically or laparotomically.

There is also a medical method of treatment - methotrexate. It is used only in the earliest stages when the operation is impossible.

Consequences of an ectopic pregnancy

Usually the consequences of an ectopic pregnancy are relatively favorable: although a woman's ability to conceive is reduced by about 40%, she can still carry and give birth to a child. Another negative factor is the increased risk of recurrence of such a pathology.

Recovery from an ectopic pregnancy occurs during the next menstrual cycle. Much more harm to a woman is brought not by physical, but by psychological trauma. Full rehabilitation requires the support of relatives, communication on appropriate forums, and sometimes individual and group psychotherapy.

The negative consequences of an ectopic pregnancy can be reduced if the causes of the disease are immediately looked for and eliminated.

Why should you visit the Mama Papa Ya clinic?

The network of medical clinics "Mama Papa Ya", whose branches are located in Moscow and other cities, offers medical services at affordable prices that will help to avoid the development of pathology or diagnose it in time:

consultation of a qualified gynecologist on pregnancy planning;
individual pregnancy management program “Waiting for you, baby!”;
tests necessary for expectant mothers, including determining the level of hCG;
gynecological ultrasound for the diagnosis of the disease at an early stage.

All consultations and procedures are carried out at a convenient time for the patient, without waiting and queues.

If you miss your period, we recommend that you take a home pregnancy test and, regardless of the results, make an appointment with a gynecologist. This can be done by calling the nearest clinic or on the website.

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How an ectopic pregnancy manifests itself: the first signs

Given all of the above, it is very important to know how an ectopic pregnancy manifests itself. Timely diagnosis of this pathology will help to avoid complications, and in some cases even save the life of a woman.

In the early stages, women can often ignore unusual symptoms and believe that this is how a normal pregnancy should proceed.

Indeed, as the ovum develops, even with an ectopic pregnancy, a woman may experience signs of a normal pregnancy, namely:

Absence of menses
Increase in basal body temperature
Breast engorgement
Nausea, vomiting

However, along with these symptoms, the first signs of an ectopic pregnancy appear, which should alert. So how does an ectopic pregnancy manifest itself?

The following symptoms may indicate an atypical pregnancy:

Unpleasant sensations in the lower abdomen, aching, pulling pains in the location of the fetal egg, or in the lower abdomen, mainly on one side - the very first signs of an ectopic pregnancy. Pain may increase during urination or defecation.
Scanty bloody, spotting discharge that usually lasts a long time. In rare cases, uterine bleeding, or profuse spotting, resembling menstruation, is observed.
With severe blood loss in the early stages, signs of shock may occur, namely, pale skin, tachycardia, drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness.

How long can an ectopic pregnancy appear

The timing when the first signs of an ectopic pregnancy appear is individual in each case. In some women, an ectopic pregnancy can be asymptomatic right up to the development of complications, while in others, adverse symptoms can be noticed already from the first weeks of pregnancy.

Usually, the first signs appear with an increase in the size of the fetal egg. Therefore, at what time an ectopic pregnancy appears can be established using ultrasound. Usually, a fetal egg is visualized at a period of 4.5-5 weeks of pregnancy.

The average time for an ectopic pregnancy to appear is 3 to 8 weeks. It is during this period that the highest risk of adverse symptoms!

What are the signs of an ectopic pregnancy at a later date

If you ignore the first signs of an ectopic pregnancy, the risk of complications increases significantly. An ectopic pregnancy can have two outcomes - abortion, or rupture of the fallopian tube, or another organ in which the fetal egg has attached.

In the first case, with an ectopic pregnancy, the signs include intense pain, pain in the posterior vaginal fornix, and bleeding. With intense bleeding, symptoms of shock may appear - a decrease in blood pressure, tachycardia, a weak rapid pulse, shallow breathing, weakness, loss of consciousness.

Signs in case of rupture of the fallopian tube resemble those of ovarian apoplexy. Life-threatening internal bleeding develops, acute, dagger pain in the lower abdomen occurs, which can radiate to the perineum and anus, symptoms of shock are expressed. This condition requires immediate hospitalization!

Signs of ectopic pregnancy on ultrasound

With such a pathology as an ectopic pregnancy, ultrasound signs can be determined at about 4.5-5 weeks of pregnancy. Usually, ultrasound does not allow to detect a fetal egg outside the uterus, so they are guided by other signs.

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