How Is An Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosed
An ectopic pregnancy is typically diagnosed during an appointment in your healthcare providers office. Your provider will perform several tests to first confirm a pregnancy, and then look for the ectopic pregnancy. These tests include:
- A urine test: This test involves either urinating on a test strip or urinating into a cup in your providers office and then having a test strip dipped into the urine sample.
- A blood test: You provider may test your blood to see how much of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin you have in your body. This hormone is produced during pregnancy. You may also hear this called your serum beta-hCG level.
- An ultrasound exam: An imaging test, an ultrasound uses sound waves to create a picture of your bodys internal structures. Ultrasound is often used during pregnancy. Your provider will use this test to see where the fertilized egg has implanted.
Once your provider has confirmed the pregnancy and determined where the fertilized egg has implanted, a treatment plan will be created. Ectopic pregnancy is an emergency and treatment for this condition is very important.
If your fallopian tube ruptures, you will need to go to the emergency room and be treated immediately. In those cases, theres no time to wait for an appointment.
Get Answers About Your Pregnancy
- Sign up for our free pregnancy newsletter. When you sign up, youll get a weekly email about your pregnancy letting you know exactly whats going on inside you. Its always a thrill to see what your baby looks like and find out how much he or she has grown. Its amazing how fast your little blueberry grows to the size of a lemon!
- Get your free pregnancy app. Want a daily dose of great pregnancy information that you can access on the go? Check out BabyCenters My Pregnancy & Baby Today app. It doesnt cost a thing.
- Join your Birth Club. Plenty of other parents-to-be are due in the same month as you and going through the same things at the same time. Find a bunch of them in your online Birth Club, where you can get advice and support on all kinds of pregnancy topics.
- Pick up a pregnancy book or two. Nothing quite beats the feeling of curling up with a book and a highlighter. Here are a few titles to get you started: What to Expect When Youre Expecting , Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy , and Your Pregnancy Week by Week .
Where to go next
Mayo Clinic. 2016. Prenatal vitamins: Why they matter, how to choose.
What Happens At My First Prenatal Visit
Your first visit may include a full physical exam, including breast and pelvic exam, as well as some routine blood and urine tests. You will spend time talking to us about what to expect during your pregnancy. Youll learn about the types of prenatal visits and tests youll have until your baby is born. And there will be plenty of time to go through your list of questions.
We know you are excited to see your baby as soon as possible. In this first visit, you may be able to listen to your babys heartbeat. Generally, it can be heard at or after 10 weeks of pregnancy. Your ultrasound, where you can actually see your baby, may be scheduled for later in your first trimester. But, each clinic does it differently. So, feel free to ask about specific ultrasound timing and details when you call to schedule your initial visit.
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Pick The Right Prenatal
Be sure to choose a prenatal vitamin that has at least 400 mcg of folic acid, per the
Your healthcare professional will also generally recommend you separately take an iron supplement as well.
Some prenatal vitamins also include choline, which is essential for brain development and placental function, according to .
They also may include docosahexaenoic acid , which is important for babys brain growth and function.
Give Yourself A Quick Health Check With Our Tools And Calculators
There may be some lifestyle changes that you can make to improve your health and the health of your growing baby. For example, it is important to limit caffeine as much as possible during pregnancy. Use our caffeine calculator to find out your daily caffeine intake.
Your BMI is a measure that uses your height and weight to work out if your weight is in a healthy range. Your BMI calculation will be based on your weight before pregnancy.
If you have a high BMI, there may be some extra things you can do to help support your health during pregnancy. Find out your BMI using our calculator.
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Light Spotting And Cramping
Light spotting, also known as implantation bleeding, can occur when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. This can happen about 10 to 14 days after conception, around the same time that you are supposed to have your period. Light spotting may also be accompanied by cramping, which can feel similar to menstrual cramps.
Varicose Veins Hemorrhoids And Constipation
Varicose veins, usually found in the legs and genital area, happen when blood pools in veins enlarged by pregnancy hormones. Varicose veins often go away after pregnancy. To help prevent them:
- avoid standing or sitting for long periods
- wear loose-fitting clothing
- wear support hose
- raise your feet when you sit
Hemorrhoids varicose veins in the rectum are common during pregnancy as well. Your blood volume has increased and your uterus puts pressure on your pelvis. So the veins in your rectum may enlarge into grape-like clusters. Hemorrhoids can be very painful, and can bleed, itch, or sting, especially during or after a bowel movement .
Constipation is another common pregnancy woe. It happens because pregnancy hormones slow the passing of food through the gastrointestinal tract. During the later stages of pregnancy, your uterus may push against your large intestine, making it hard for you to have a BM. And constipation can contribute to hemorrhoids because straining to go may enlarge the veins of the rectum.
The best way to deal with constipation and hemorrhoids is to prevent them. Eating a fiber-rich diet, drinking plenty of liquids daily, and exercising regularly can help keep BMs regular. Stool softeners may also help. If you do have hemorrhoids, talk to your health care provider about a cream or ointment that can shrink them.
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Tests To Better Understand Your Fertility
The TTC journey looks different for everyone, and theres no single test that will fit everyones needs. Talk to your doctor about what tests are right for you and your partner, including:
- Pap smear: Your doctor may perform a pap smear and pelvic exam to identify any structural problems, as well as test for abnormal cells.
- Antral follicle count: This test isdone via transvaginal ultrasound, sometimes between cycle day 2 and 5. It can help evaluate ovarian reserve, diagnose PCOS, and identify any potential problems regarding ovarian health.
- Ovulation test: Identify whether or not youre ovulating by detecting a hormone known as luteinizing hormone . These tests are affordable and can be done at home!
- Hormone tests: A blood test is usually required to measure hormone levels. Your doctor may look for progesterone, LH, estrogen, and more.
- Sonohysterogram: A sonohysterogram allows your doctor to examine the uterine lining, to ensure everything is normal.
- Sperm analysis: If youre curious about sperm health, an at-home sperm analysis kit is a great clinical grade option.
- Hysterosalpingogram: This tests allows your doctor to determine if your fallopian tubes are open to allow for conception
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Can You Feel Conception
Not usually. You may notice signs that you’ve ovulated, such as changes in your cervical mucus or basal body temperature. However, most people don’t feel fertilization. You may feel a dull ache or experience light spotting several days after conception. This could be from the fertilized egg implanting in your uterus.
When do you start feeling pregnant?
How long it takes to feel pregnant varies. Some people may start to feel pregnant shortly after conception, while others dont have any pregnancy symptoms for weeks after a positive test.
Take a home pregnancy test if you have any of the above symptoms and think theres a chance youre pregnant. Your healthcare provider can order a blood test to confirm pregnancy.
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As Hormones Shift Pregnancy Symptoms Start
An embryo is the tiniest thingnot even half an inch long in the first two months of pregnancy. But the changes it wreaks on a womans body right from the start are enormous. This is primarily due to the shifts in key hormones that start at the beginning of a pregnancy, says Sherry Ross, MD, a gynecologist and author of the books She-ology and She-ology,the she-quel.
These hormones include estrogen, progesterone, and human chorionic gonadotrophin , which multiplies rapidly at the start of a pregnancy.
Can You Pee Twice On The Same Pregnancy Test
So when your urine touches an HPT pee stick either by you holding the stick mid-stream or dipping the stick into your collected urine the reaction takes place It cant take place again (Think of a kernel of corn popping once its popped, you cant pop it again You need a new kernel.
Its possible to get a negative pregnancy test result followed by a positive result, especially if you tested early This is because hCG levels rise rapidly in the first few days after implantation Its also possible to get a positive test result followed by a negative result.
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What About Early Pregnancy Tests
Early pregnancy test manufacturers market to your desire to get answers as early as possible. It is not hard to see the advertising on the box and read the claims of 99% accuracy along with the ability to detect pregnancy six days before your missed period.
But let us take a closer look, so you do not test too early for pregnancy. The first thing to consider is that the percentage provided on the front of the package is only accurate when you take the test on the day of your expected period and in a laboratory setting by professionals. The same goes for the the instructions printed inside the pregnancy test kit the claims of accuracy are elevated because they do not reflect real-life testing in real-life situations. The results from a University of New Mexico study reveal the chances you can anticipate getting the right answer from an early home pregnancy test:
- One day past your expected period: 100% of pregnancies detected
- On the day of your expected period: 96% of pregnancies detected
- On the day before your expected period: 93% of pregnancies detected
- Two days before your expected period: 81% of pregnancies detected
- Three days before your expected period: 68% of pregnancies detected
- Four days before your expected period: 42% of pregnancies detected
- Five days before your expected period: 33% of pregnancies detected
- Six days before your expected period: 25% of pregnancies detected
What Can Mess Up Implantation
In addition, alcohol consumption, smoking and other modifiable lifestyle factors in both parents may also contribute to recurrent implantation failure by affecting egg/sperm quality and the health of the uterine environment.
The sensation is different from person to person, but in most cases, they feel like mild cramps, usually dull and aching, or light twinges Some people also describe feeling a prickling, tingling, or pulling sensation The sensations may come and go or last for one to two days before disappearing.
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What Are The Risks And Benefits Of Ultrasound Imaging
Transvaginal ultrasound requires covering the ultrasound transducer in a plastic or latex sheath, which may cause a reaction in women with a latex allergy.
Ultrasound imaging is constantly being improved and refined. As with any test, the results may not be completely accurate. However, an ultrasound can provide valuable information to parents and health care providers, helping them manage and care for the pregnancy and the baby. In addition, ultrasound imaging gives parents a unique opportunity to see their baby before birth, helping them to bond and establish an early relationship.
Fetal ultrasound is sometimes offered in nonmedical settings to provide keepsake images or videos for parents. While the ultrasound procedure itself is considered safe, it is possible that untrained personnel may miss an abnormality or give parents false assurances about their babys well-being. It is best to have an ultrasound performed by trained medical personnel who can correctly interpret the results. Talk with your doctor or midwife if you have questions.
Is There Anything Else I Need To Know About A Pregnancy Test
A urine pregnancy test shows whether HCG is present. HCG indicates pregnancy. A pregnancy blood test also shows the amount of HCG. If your blood tests show a very low amount of HCG, it could mean you have an ectopic pregnancy, a pregnancy that grows outside the uterus. A developing baby can’t survive an ectopic pregnancy. Without treatment, the condition can be life-threatening for a woman.
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Wondering If You’ve Got A Bun In The Oven Here Are Some Telltale Ways To Determine Whether You’re Expecting A Baby From Very Early Symptoms To Home Pregnancy Tests
The first signs of pregnancy are different for every woman. While some have telltale symptoms , others don’t know they’re expecting until they receive a positive pregnancy test. If you’re wondering, “How do I know if I’m pregnant?” read on to learn three ways to determine if a baby is in your future..
How Is A Glucose Tolerance Test Performed
You may be asked to only drink water on the day the glucose tolerance test is given. Although the specific details of each procedure may vary, a typical glucose tolerance test includes the following steps:
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An initial fasting sample of blood will be drawn from your vein.
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You will be given a special glucose solution to drink.
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Blood will be drawn at various times over the course of several hours to measure the glucose levels in your body.
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What Happens During A Pregnancy Test
You can get a home pregnancy test kit at the drug store without a prescription. Most are inexpensive and easy to use.
Many home pregnancy tests include a device called a dipstick. Some also include a collection cup. Your home test may include the following steps or similar steps:
- Do the test on your first urination of the morning. The test may be more accurate at this time, because morning urine usually has more HCG.
- Hold the dipstick in your urine stream for 5 to 10 seconds. For kits that include a collection cup, urinate into the cup, and insert the dipstick into the cup for 5 to 10 seconds.
- After a few minutes, the dipstick will show your results. The time to results and the way the results are shown will vary between test kit brands.
- Your dipstick may have a window or other area that shows a plus or minus sign, a single or double line, or the words “pregnant” or “not pregnant.” Your pregnancy test kit will include instructions on how to read your results.
If the results show you are not pregnant, you may want to try again in a few days, as you may have done the test too early. HCG gradually increases during pregnancy.
If your results show you are pregnant, you should make an appointment with your health care provider. Your provider may confirm your results with a physical exam and/or a blood test.
You Might Be Pregnant Heres How To Tell For Sure
Your last period shouldâve started a week ago, and youâre starting to get worried. Are you just a little late, or is it possible a baby is on the way?
Having a child of your own is a big responsibility, and being overwhelmed at the thought of parenthood is common. In fact, more than a few women enter into denial and intentionally avoid taking a test to confirm their pregnancy. But knowing youâre pregnant for sure is the first step before seeking out the information, resources, and relationships youâll need to thrive during this next season of life. So before you start narrowing down baby names, what are the signs you might be pregnant?
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Can I Prevent An Ectopic Pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy cannot be prevented. But you can try to reduce your risk factors by following good lifestyle habits. These can include not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight and diet, and preventing any sexually transmitted infections . Talk to your healthcare provider about any risk factors you may have before trying to become pregnant.
You And Your Pregnancy At 1 To 3 Weeks
Your weeks of pregnancy are dated from the first day of your last period.
This means that in the first 2 weeks or so, you are not actually pregnant your body is preparing for ovulation as usual.
Your “getting pregnant” timeline is:
- day 1: the first day of your period
- day 14 : you ovulate
- within 24 hours of ovulation, the egg is fertilised by sperm if you have had sex in the last few days without using contraception
- about 5 to 6 days after ovulation, the fertilised egg burrows into the lining of the womb this is called implantation
- you’re now pregnant
Find out more about trying to get pregnant.
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