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What are the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy?

In: Pregnancy Symptoms, Ectopic Pregnancy [Edit categories]

Answer:

Pain, pain and pain. You may or may not have missed a period, but the pain is like nothing else. You need to go to the hospital immediately.
The following symptoms are indicative:

Positive pregnancy test
HCG and progesterone levels lowered -- HCG and progesterone are hormones -- in ectopic pregnancies, their levels are lower than in a normal pregnancy
Abdominal or pelvic pain, often very severe
Indications of an early pregnancy
Non-mentrual vaginal bleeding
A missed period (see signs of pregnancy)
Dizziness or fainting (due to loss of blood -- hypovolemia)
Low blood pressure or hypotension, also as a result of hypovolemia
Pain in your shoulder, especially the left shoulder

More information on ecoptic pregnancy symptoms:

I experienced an ectopic pregnancy last Saturday, and hope this information helps in determining whether you, or someone you know may be experiencing one. The initial onset of symptoms were dizziness, body sweats, nausea and pain in my lower left abdomen. Eventually I lost all control of my bowels, and had diarrhea, vomiting and pain in my back and shoulders. By the time the ambulance came, I was unable to sit, stand or walk. Mine had burst inside of the tube, causing masssive internal bleeding and loss of the tube itself. I would HIGHLY recommend acting on any of these symptoms, as quickly as possible if you believe you may be at risk!
From what I understand there would be sever pain on either side of your gut. It could be on either the right or left side. If you are worried about this I would go to the doctors if you don't have a doctor go to the hospital and get an ultrasound down. Ectopic pregnancies can be life threatening to both of you.
Ectopic pregnancies are usually unknown until one day the female feels deathly sick. You find out when you go to the hospital and then it's removed. There is no way to know this beforehand because they usually cause their damage before the 7th week of pregnancy. If you are beyond that point, don't worry because you don't have one.
Ectopic pregnancies occur when the embryo attaches someplace other than inside the uterus. This often happens inside the fallopian tubes, and is thus called a "tubal pregnancy", although any place outside the uterus is ecotopic.
One-sided pain in your tummy: This can be persistent and severe, but may not be on the same side as an ectopic pregnancy.
Shoulder-tip pain: Shoulder tip pain is the typical pain of ectopic pregnancies. This may be due to internal bleeding irritating the diaphragm when you breathe in and out. It is exactly where it says - not the neck or the back but the tip of your shoulder. If you look to the left over your shoulder and then cast your eyes down, the tip of your shoulder is where your shoulder ends and your arm starts. Shoulders cause pain when we are stressed because we hold our selves more rigidly, and muscles in the back and neck go in to spasm - this is not shoulder tip pain. Shoulder tip pain is very distinctive and you know when you have it because it is a very 'weird' pain you have never had in your life before (unless you had pain of this nature with gall stones). If you take 2 paracetamol, which are known to be safe in pregnancy and providing you have taken this medicine in the past without problems, apply a cold pack to your shoulder for 10 minutes, and 30 minutes later your shoulder pain has eased, that is unlikely to be ectopic related shoulder pain, however if in any doubt consult your doctor about it.
Bladder or Bowel Problem: If you feel pain when you have your bowels open or when you pass water and think you may be pregnant you should mention this when you go for a check-up.
Collapse: You may be feeling light-headed or faint, and often this is accompanied by a feeling of something being very wrong. Other signs such as paleness, increasing pulse rate, sickness, diarrhoea and falling blood pressure may also be present.
Pregnancy Test: This may be positive but not always. Specialised hCG blood tests are sometimes required to confirm this.

First answer by Englishangel. Last edit by Jgooding. Contributor trust: 0 [recommend contributor ]. Question popularity: 343 [recommend question].

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