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Address: 27 Welbeck Street, London, W1G 8EN
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Ectopic Pregnancy

Ectopic Pregnancy (6-11 Weeks) – how it happens

Early detection with ultrasound
At London private ultrasound, we perform Transvaginal ultrasound examinations aimed at detecting ectopic pregnancies as early as the end of the 5th to 6th week of the pregnancy.  However, very early pregnancies may not yet show visible signs of ectopic or intrauterine pregnancies. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and have not had any ultrasound assessment, a transvaginal ultrasound examination may be useful in excluding an ectopic pregnancy.

Ectopic Pregnancy Symptoms:

+ Sharp, sudden abdominal or pelvic pain
+ Weakness, dizziness and or fainting
+Vaginal bleeding or a brown watery discharge
+ Shoulder Pain
+ Pelvic pressure or discomfort
+ Gastrointestinal symptoms
+ Nausea

Understanding Conception Process:

During conception, the egg and sperm meet in one of the fallopian tubes adjacent to the uterus. The narrow, thin fallopian tubes guide the sperm towards the ovulated egg, where fertilization occurs. The resulting blastocyst then travels back to the uterine cavity over 5-6 days, implanting itself into the endometrium lining of the uterus. The uterus provides the ideal environment for pregnancy, supporting foetal development over approximately 9 months.
Risks of Ectopic Pregnancy:
However, interruptions in this process can occur due to factors such as previous pelvic infections, local adhesions, or anatomical variations. In such cases, the fertilized egg may implant itself in structures like the ovary, pelvic floor, bowel, or fallopian tube, leading to an ectopic pregnancy. Unfortunately, ectopic pregnancies cannot progress normally, posing life-threatening risks. Fortunately, ectopic pregnancies are rare in the UK, and timely treatment can prevent complications. Deaths resulting from ruptured ectopic pregnancies are extremely rare.

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Book Online Ectopic Pregnancy Scan

All your Questions Answered on your ultrasound diagnosis
More Information

You can have a Transvaginal scan as early as the end of the 5th week towards the beginning of the 6th week till the 12th week of gestation to find out if the gestation sac is growing in the correct place inside the lining of the womb.
If ectopic is confirmed by transvaginal ultrasound, a report is printed and signed and an information booklet is given to you physically. You are required to go to your local or the nearest hospital ASAP for urgent care with this report. All images and reports are also sent to you digitally straight away.
You will be referred to the early pregnancy unit. Usually, a second scan is performed to confirm the findings. Then you will be treated based on these findings. Sometimes medication is sufficient to let the body heal the site of the ectopic pregnancy. Most often due to the site of ectopic pregnancy, an emergency operation is carried out and the ectopic is removed. Ectopic pregnancy can become a life-threatening situation for the pregnant mother.
If the pregnancy is not inside the womb and cannot be identified in any place outside the womb, you are asked to have a βHCG blood test. This test gives a hormonal level based on weeks of pregnancy and maybe the pregnancy is earlier than expected. After the test is done serial repeat scans (usually every 3 days) are required to check the progress of the pregnancy either inside or outside the womb.
Ectopic pregnancy can have a wide range of signs or NO signs at all. Usually, some bleeding might happen, and sometimes pelvic pain is present. Some people might present with unusual signs from headaches to generally feeling unwell. Some are just genuinely worried about having ectopic or previously have had it and are very anxious in their current pregnancy.
Anyone can have an ectopic pregnancy, however, if there is any previous history of pelvic inflammatory disease or adhesions or surgical scars, the risk might increase.
Reports of the scan are sent to you digitally as promptly as 1-2 hours after the scan.
The scan usually takes 20 minutes; however complicated cases might take longer than average.
There are 3 main treatments for ectopic pregnancy:
  1. Expectant management – you're carefully monitored and 1 of the treatments below is used if the fertilised egg doesn't dissolve by itself
  2. Medication – an injection of a powerful medicine is used to stop the pregnancy growing
  3. Surgery – keyhole surgery (laparoscopy) is performed under general anaesthetic to remove the fertilised egg, usually along with the affected fallopian tube.
Most women can leave the hospital a few days after surgery, although it can take 4 to 6 weeks to fully recover. If your fallopian tube has already ruptured, you'll need emergency surgery.
Statistically, the chances of having a future successful pregnancy are very good and 65% of women are healthily pregnant within 18 months of an ectopic pregnancy. Some studies suggest this figure rises to around 85% over two years.
Most women who experience ectopic pregnancy and treatment will achieve a successful pregnancy in the future, even if they've lost one fallopian tube as part of the therapy. There is a 10% risk of recurrence, which is why it's important to work with your health care team when planning for a future pregnancy.
Studies show similar rates of conception after an ectopic pregnancy, regardless of how it was treated, and numbers are high–up to 80% will go on to have a live birth. However, the risk of another ectopic is still increased in future pregnancies.
The easy answer is yes: You can deliver a healthy, full-term baby after an ectopic pregnancy.
Removal of one fallopian tube won't make you infertile. You'll still need contraception. Removal of both fallopian tubes means you can't conceive a child and won't need contraception. However, if you still have your uterus, it may be possible to carry a baby with the help of in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Most women without fallopian tubes who have successful pregnancies become pregnant through in vitro fertilization. Otherwise, the pregnancy is likely to be an ectopic pregnancy that has to be terminated.

Luke Shepherd
Luke Shepherd
2024-03-08
I’ve visited twice now for an ultrasound, easy booking process and the staff are very friendly and helpful. Thank you.
Nancy M
Nancy M
2024-03-06
Fantastic hospital with amazing staff thank you for making me feel so comfortable!
Rakhee Gupta
Rakhee Gupta
2024-03-04
Fantastic ultrasound centre, the sonographer Ashleigh Austin was very knowledgeable and kind. The cost is half of that of Harley Street too. I had a query and she called me immediately to respond to my concerns. Highly recommended
Michela Rusconi
Michela Rusconi
2024-03-04
Easy and Quick to book. The receptionist, doctor and nurse are very nice and helpfull. I would recomend it.
Louise King
Louise King
2024-03-02
Very friendly and efficient. Thorough and comfortable treatment with expert advice.
Igor Crasii
Igor Crasii
2024-03-02
Fast and Professional
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