What Is Abdominal Pregnancy?

Abdominal pregnancy is a rare, potentially life-threatening type of ectopic pregnancy , which occurs when the fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the uterus. In abdominal pregnancy, the fertilized egg implants in the abdomen.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629c920d01f-8eeb-4c08-9f7e-590f1ecfca85
Overview Overview What Is Abdominal Pregnancy? Abdominal pregnancy can be challenging to diagnose at an early stage, as symptoms can vary and may not be specific. It’s rare for a live birth to result from an abdominal pregnancy, but it’s possible. However, in most cases, an abdominal pregnancy can result in serious complications for the mother and fetus, and is therefore often terminated at an early stage.
Signs and Symptoms of Abdominal Pregnancy Symptoms The signs and symptoms of abdominal pregnancy may be similar to those of other ectopic pregnancies, and they may vary, making early diagnosis challenging.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976297d7f6732-e59a-4995-a9ba-a429ebaeb2aa Signs and symptoms may include: Severe lower abdominal paine60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629d63943de-657e-49f2-98cb-3a44757ce278 Bloody vaginal discharge or vaginal bleedinge60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976294e25bffc-5a11-4d01-923c-6cc35d4de37a Nausea and vomiting Painful fetal movements Malaise Change in bowel movements
Risk Factors for Abdominal Pregnancy Causes There are no known specific risk factors for abdominal pregnancy; however, researchers have reported higher rates of the condition in countries with a low socioeconomic status due to the high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections , which can damage the fallopian tubes.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629bea59b68-d09d-47bb-a48c-a6b2499d758b Other risk factors may include: Having undergone assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) Having endometriosis , a condition in which tissue grows outside the uterus on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and outside walls of the uteruse60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976298c08c9c4-9ec9-4efc-8ced-9fd08ce08042 Having pelvic inflammatory disease , which is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries Tubal obstruction A history of ectopic pregnancye60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629c2c57d94-0f4e-497d-968e-f2a0c96052ed
How Is Abdominal Pregnancy Diagnosed? Diagnosis Abdominal pregnancy can be challenging to diagnose and can be misdiagnosed, particularly in the early stages. In many cases, the condition is diagnosed at a later stage after more serious symptoms, such as persistent abdominal pain or bleeding, develop.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762987e30279-a59c-4cf2-868b-12b2a63f6aba A doctor may suspect an abdominal pregnancy if a woman reports abdominal pain or pain with the fetus’s movements. In that case, an ultrasound or other imaging exam, such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT) scan, can help determine the position and implantation site of the gestational sac.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629594d05c0-2925-43ce-a712-a5a091c9a41c The diagnosis may also be confirmed laparoscopically, in a minimally invasive procedure that uses a thin tube with a camera and light on it to determine the size and the exact location of the pregnancy.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762964396681-5bd4-453b-9869-e689e123f62e
Treatment and Medication Options for Abdominal Pregnancy Treatment In rare cases, an abdominal pregnancy can result in a live birth. Most abdominal pregnancies, however, are terminated at an early stage.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629095a4630-be42-4e14-91ae-d979629c7593 Medication Options If caught early, an ectopic pregnancy may be ended with a dose of methotrexate (Trexall) , a drug that stops cells from dividing and is toxic to the placenta.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f3da8e69-1415-42cd-8dff-ebdf4a1f2da2 Surgery Surgery is the most common treatment for abdominal pregnancy — usually laparoscopic surgery or abdominal surgery.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762913574986-054d-4d1e-a952-78bba395fe40
Prevention of Abdominal Pregnancy Prevention There is no way to prevent an ectopic pregnancy. You can lower your risk of experiencing pregnancy-related complications by not smoking, maintaining a healthy body weight , and taking steps to avoid sexually transmitted infections.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762932c0fa2d-d928-4ee3-b85d-9261592adbcd
Prognosis and Outlook for Abdominal Pregnancy Prognosis and Outlook Abdominal pregnancy can be more dangerous for the pregnant person than other ectopic pregnancies, such as those that involve the fallopian tubes. The risk of maternal death ranges from 0.5 to 18 percent, while the risk of fetal death can be as high as 95 percent.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629bf07a8ef-4073-4f57-a17d-36d692801e63 However, early diagnosis often leads to a better prognosis.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629db1e5697-ebc4-432f-8406-142606aa2c5c Thanks to advances in prenatal care, most abdominal pregnancies can be caught and treated in the early stages.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976294e674bdb-ff96-4756-b692-069f37642fc7
Complications of Abdominal Pregnancy Complications Abdominal pregnancies can be dangerous for both the mother and the fetus. Advanced abdominal pregnancy (AAP), or an abdominal pregnancy after 20 weeks of pregnancy, can cause severe maternal postpartum hemorrhage or bleeding, which could lead to death in some cases. For the fetus, dangers include not receiving adequate blood and nutrients to support healthy growth. Those fetuses that do survive an abdominal pregnancy can have malformations.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629737793c8-1cee-4d31-a756-8ea825e43e83 Once you’ve had an ectopic pregnancy, you also have a higher risk of experiencing another one.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976293eedce11-d086-4c90-a661-282a97bc6e22
Research and Statistics: Who Has Abdominal Pregnancy? Research and Statistics Abdominal pregnancy is a rare condition that may occur in 1 in every 10,000 to 30,000 pregnancies.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629c9b469b1-366f-4c77-abb4-421f5c508d7a The condition may account for about 1 percent of all ectopic pregnancies.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629bcd46362-4eb8-4cd5-84a5-ff31a5f87d99 (In more than 90 percent of ectopic pregnancies, the fertilized egg implants in a fallopian tube.)e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976296ec5c4d3-7582-4f1a-aca7-f8c4c60ee336
Support for Abdominal Pregnancy Support March of Dimes March of Dimes is a nonprofit organization that aims to end preventable preterm birth and infant death as well as preventable maternal health risks and death. If abdominal pregnancy caused your pregnancy to end, March of Dimes has online groups where you can share your story as well as a bereavement kit . Postpartum Support International If you’ve experienced the loss of a pregnancy, PSI has a HelpLine that can provide you with support and resources via phone call or text. Share Share is a community for anyone who has experienced the death of their baby. The nonprofit offers in-person support in St. Louis as well as a monthly Zoom group for those who don’t live in the area. They can also help you find support in your state.
The Takeaway Abdominal pregnancy is a rare type of ectopic pregnancy where the fertilized egg implants in the abdomen rather than the uterus or fallopian tubes. Symptoms can range from abdominal pain and vomiting to more severe signs like heavy bleeding. Abdominal pregnancy can be dangerous for both the mother and the fetus, so If you suspect something unusual with your pregnancy, consult your healthcare provider right away.
Resources We Trust Mayo Clinic: Ectopic Pregnancy American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Ectopic Pregnancy Cleveland Clinic: Ectopic Pregnancy March of Dimes: Prenatal Tests Medline Plus: Laparoscopy

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