Ectopic pregnancies are one of the most dangerous kinds of pregnancy, being the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States. Around 9 percent of pregnancy-related deaths are caused by ectopic pregnancy. It affects 1 in every 40 pregnancies in the US, with women younger than 20 and older than 35 and who have had a previous ectopic pregnancy at higher risk.
Ectopic pregnancy
In an ectopic pregnancy, the egg doesn’t travel out of the fallopian tube into the uterus. Instead, it implants itself in the tube, a place that cannot accommodate the size of a growing child.
As the embryo grows in size, it causes severe pain and will lead to eventual rupture of the tube if the pregnancy isn’t terminated. Ectopic pregnancies aren’t confined to the fallopian tube; as long as the egg doesn’t implant itself in the uterus, it is called ectopic.
As the embryo grows in size, it causes severe pain and will lead to eventual rupture of the tube if the pregnancy isn’t terminated. Ectopic pregnancies aren’t confined to the fallopian tube; as long as the egg doesn’t implant itself in the uterus, it is called ectopic.
Do the baby and mother survive an ectopic pregnancy?
This kind of pregnancy is very dangerous, because ectopic pregnancies can cause the death of both the mother and child if allowed to continue. The fallopian tube was not made to support the life of a baby and the mother would not survive if her fallopian tube ruptures due a late termination. This is why as early as the ectopic pregnancy is diagnosed, most physicians will suggest an immediate termination of the pregnancy.
Sonography and biochemical profiling
Like other pregnancies, sonography can detect if there is a presence of a fertilized egg in the uterus. However, there has to be a reason for the sonographer to search for the egg in the fallopian tubes – which is usually why ectopic pregnancies are discovered late, usually around the eight week when the mother starts to experience severe abdominal pain along with the normal signs and symptoms of a pregnancy.
However, there has been recent studies made on how sonography can be made more efficient in diagnosing ectopic pregnancies – and that is through the use of biochemical profiles and markers. If a woman is suspected of having an ectopic pregnancy, particularly if she has had an ectopic pregnancy before, using the biochemical diagnostic examination is the first step.
The niche for sonographers has always been in obstetrics and gynecology. As more and more things are being discovered regarding sonography as an advanced diagnostic exam, career options are continually expanding.
However, there has been recent studies made on how sonography can be made more efficient in diagnosing ectopic pregnancies – and that is through the use of biochemical profiles and markers. If a woman is suspected of having an ectopic pregnancy, particularly if she has had an ectopic pregnancy before, using the biochemical diagnostic examination is the first step.
The niche for sonographers has always been in obstetrics and gynecology. As more and more things are being discovered regarding sonography as an advanced diagnostic exam, career options are continually expanding.
New York study on sonography
A study in the Queens Hospital Center in New York included 65 women who were suspected of having an ectopic pregnancy. They underwent a transvaginal sonogram and blood was drawn for an assay of seven markers that could be used to diagnose their condition. Out of all the cases, there were 23 patients with ectopic pregnancy, 21 with abnormal intrauterine pregnancy, and 21 with normal pregnancies.
The results were double checked and the diagnostic method was found to be accurate, showing how sonography and biochemical profiling was an accurate method for diagnosing ectopic and abnormal pregnancies. This means a lot for the future of sonography as more than just a prenatal exam for normal pregnancies. There is a lot more to learn from what sonography is capable of in today’s ever-growing technological discoveries.
The results were double checked and the diagnostic method was found to be accurate, showing how sonography and biochemical profiling was an accurate method for diagnosing ectopic and abnormal pregnancies. This means a lot for the future of sonography as more than just a prenatal exam for normal pregnancies. There is a lot more to learn from what sonography is capable of in today’s ever-growing technological discoveries.