Can an ectopic pregnancy be carried to term?

Written by Tang Mei Xiang
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 24, 2024
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Ectopic pregnancy refers to the implantation of a fertilized egg outside the uterine cavity, commonly known as ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy is when the pregnancy sac implants outside the uterine cavity. Because the muscle layer outside the uterine cavity is very thin, it restricts the growth of the pregnancy sac during its development. Furthermore, the trophoblast invades the local blood vessels, causing the vessels to rupture and miscarriage to occur very early in the pregnancy, potentially endangering the patient's life. Therefore, an ectopic pregnancy is an abnormal pregnancy that cannot be sustained. If an ectopic pregnancy is detected, it should be treated as early as possible.

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Written by Jia Rui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Ectopic pregnancy surgery, how many days to discharge?

As everyone's physique and condition are different, the specific needs vary from person to person. Clinically, most people can be discharged in about 7 days. Women must pay attention to bed rest after ectopic pregnancy surgery, avoid vigorous exercise, and only shower with the doctor’s approval, avoiding baths. It is important to maintain personal hygiene, wear loose underwear, change frequently, and avoid sexual activity for the time being. Attention should also be paid to diet; avoid spicy and irritating foods, favoring a light diet instead. It is vital to identify ectopic pregnancy early and take timely treatment measures to not miss the best treatment window.

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Written by Tang Mei Xiang
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How is an ectopic pregnancy treated?

The treatment methods for ectopic pregnancy include surgical treatment, medical treatment, and expectant management. Surgical treatment involves surgical intervention, which can be either conservative or radical surgery. Generally, surgery is indicated when blood HCG levels are relatively high, exceeding 3000 units per liter, or when there is a continuous increase. An ultrasound may show ectopic cardiac activity, a large mass, or it may be used when medical treatment is contraindicated, ineffective, or when vital signs are unstable and there is significant internal bleeding. These are indications for surgical treatment of an ectopic pregnancy. Additionally, there are conservative treatments and expectant management. Expectant management involves no medication, just regular monitoring of HCG levels and ultrasound examinations.

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Written by Jia Rui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What are the early signs of an ectopic pregnancy?

The precursors of an ectopic pregnancy can manifest as unilateral lower abdominal dropping pain, and there may be irregular vaginal bleeding. After 50 days of pregnancy, the gestational sac is not visible in the uterine cavity, and the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are atypical. Some people may experience severe bleeding and go into shock. In cases of ectopic pregnancy, it is imperative to go to the hospital for an ultrasound to determine the size and location of the gestational sac and confirm whether it is an ectopic pregnancy. Timely hospitalization and treatment are necessary if an ectopic pregnancy is confirmed.

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Written by Yan Qiao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How much does an ectopic pregnancy cost approximately?

The treatment of ectopic pregnancy is divided into three types: cord treatment and conservative drug treatment, open abdominal surgery, and laparoscopic surgery. For cord treatment, no medication is needed; regular monitoring of ultrasound and HCG levels until they return to normal is sufficient, and generally, this incurs no excessive costs. For conservative drug treatment, the main medications used are mifepristone combined with methotrexate, and it can also be combined with traditional Chinese medicine treatment. These medications are very affordable. For the treatment of ectopic pregnancies, we still recommend hospitalization. The cost of conservative drug treatment is about 2,000 to 3,000 yuan. Of course, depending on the specific conditions of the patient, if multiple treatment courses are needed, the cost may increase, but the increase is relatively small, and it also depends on the individual. Regarding surgical treatment, open abdominal surgery is generally around 8,000 yuan according to the standards of a third-grade A-level city hospital. Laparoscopic surgery, slightly more expensive by about 1,000 to 2,000 yuan, is controlled at around 10,000 yuan. Of course, these are costs according to our own hospital’s standards, and our hospital is also a third-grade A-level city hospital. This is generally the situation.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Ectopic pregnancy medical conservative treatment

Under normal circumstances, the treatment of ectopic pregnancy is generally divided into conservative treatment and surgical treatment. Conservative treatment is usually applied when the ectopic pregnancy has not ruptured, using medication for about a week. After one week, a follow-up examination is done to check blood HCG levels and an ultrasound scan. If blood HCG levels have dropped significantly, the ultrasound shows that the mass has not grown, and the symptoms of abdominal pain have decreased, it indicates that the conservative treatment was successful. The threat is only considered resolved when blood HCG returns to normal levels. Otherwise, the conservative treatment for ectopic pregnancy may fail, and surgery will be necessary to treat the ectopic pregnancy symptomatically. If there is a particularly large amount of bleeding or a rupture has occurred, surgical treatment is the only option.