Ectopic pregnancy is a case of concern. And if you think that you can avoid ectopic pregnancy with IVF, the truth is a sad no.
Though embryos are transferred under supervision in IVF, it does not guarantee ectopic-free pregnancy.
Other crucial factors determine whether you can avoid ectopic pregnancy or not either under IVF or natural pregnancy.
Understanding these factors can help you clear doubts about ectopic pregnancy and face IVF procedures.
How To Avoid Ectopic Pregnancy With IVF
- To reduce the risk of ectopic pregnancy with IVF, check for STIs, assess tubal health, treat PID, avoid smoking, consider age factors, and consult a fertility expert.
You can not avoid ectopic pregnancy with IVF. But you can reduce the rate of risk of ectopic pregnancy by taking up the following initiatives:
- Checking for STIs and treating them
- Checking for tubal factor infertility
- Checking for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
- Checking for sperm transmigration inside the peritoneum
- Quitting smoking
- Considering the factor of age
- Consulting a fertility expert
All the Best for your IVF Journey !
Checking for STIs and Treating Them
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) such as chlamydia, gonorrhea are important reasons for causing ectopic pregnancies.
Practice safe sex. If you are planning on pregnancy, refer a gynecologist and get checked for STIs possibilities
Checking for Tubal Factor Infertility
Tubal factor infertility indicates damaged or obstructed fallopian tubes. This can stop a fertilized egg from traveling down to the uterus and implanting it.
Tubal factor infertility can be rectified through:
- Tubal Surgery: In cases where fallopian tubes can be repaired this surgery is undertaken to mend or unblock the tubes.
- In Vitro Tubal Embryo Transfer (IVTET): Here, the egg and sperm are made to fertilize in the laboratory and the resulting embryo is placed inside the fallopian tubes to implant. This technique is used in situations when the fallopian tubes cannot be repaired.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is often due to bacterial infection affecting the uterus, ovaries, cervix, and fallopian tubes. It is essential to treat PID as soon as possible. This will reduce scarring of the female reproductive organs and prevent ectopic pregnancies.
Checking for Sperm Transmigration Inside the Peritoneum
Transperitoneal migration of the sperm refers to the wandering of sperm from one side of the fallopian tube to another through the peritoneal fluid. This can cause fertilization of the egg outside the uterine lining.
In such cases check with your gynecologist to prevent ectopic pregnancy.
Quitting Smoking
Smoking alters bodily functions leading to a higher risk of ectopic pregnancy. If you are planning on pregnancy, give up on smoking at least for over four weeks. Smoking is found to affect reproductive health and cause greater fertility risks.
Considering the Factor of Age
Maternal age of 35 and over is considered to increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy. This is due to changes in reproductive health and functions over age in women.
Women planning pregnancy and are over 35 years of age must consult a gynecologist and follow up on the prescriptions to avoid ectopic pregnancy.
Consulting a Fertility Expert
Even if you do not suffer from STIs, PID, age factors, or any causes of ectopic pregnancy, it is advisable to consult your fertility doctor as soon as you find yourself pregnant.
Also, follow the advice of your healthcare provider to avoid the repercussions of ectopic pregnancy.
How To Identify Ectopic Pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy is normally associated with a slew of symptoms such as one-sided abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, shoulder pain, unusual weakness, etc.
If you have been attempting pregnancy and faced with the above-mentioned symptoms, visit a gynecologist immediately.
Also, it is better to consult a gynecologist and get diagnosed as early as possible after receiving positive pregnancy results.
Causes Of Ectopic Pregnancy
The causes of ectopic pregnancy are generally due to:
- Damaged or obstructed fallopian tubes
- Hormonal imbalances
- Abnormal egg or sperm
Under IVF the cause for ectopic pregnancy is mainly due to multiple embryo transfer.
The embryos may take around 12 to 24 hours to get implanted in the uterus. During this time there is a possibility of uterine contractions wave to push the embryos into the fallopian tube resulting in ectopic pregnancy.
Damaged fallopian tubes are also most likely to suck the embryos into them.
Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy
The general symptoms of ectopic pregnancy include
- One-sided abdominal pain
- Vaginal bleeding
- Shoulder pain due to ruptured ectopic pregnancy
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Giddiness
- Weakness etc.
The main symptom of ectopic pregnancy is sharp one-sided abdominal pain. Look out for this symptom if you suspect ectopic pregnancy and report it to your gynecologist’s office immediately.
How is Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosed and Treated?
Ectopic pregnancies can be easily diagnosed and treated nowadays.
Medical history review, blood tests, imaging, and other relevant physical examinations can reveal ectopic pregnancy.
Ectopic pregnancies are treated by stopping the growth of the embryo through medication and removal of the embryo through surgery. Factors such as the medical condition of the patient and the size and location of the embryo will determine the treatment method as well.
The Risk Factors for Ectopic Pregnancy
In IVF transferring multiple embryos is found to cause ectopic pregnancies. Specialists now suggest the transfer of a single embryo to lower the risk associated with multiple embryos causing ectopic pregnancy.
You can also check for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) or Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STIs) before attempting pregnancy and get appropriate treatments right away. This will lower your chances of incurring ectopic pregnancy.
Conclusion
Ectopic pregnancies are to be avoided as soon as possible to reduce mother mortality. Ectopic pregnancies can be hard. But it is only for the best to intervene in the process as early as possible.
IVF and other ART procedures do not promise to avoid ectopic pregnancies. Yet you can work with your fertility specialist to reduce the chances of ectopic pregnancies.
Kindly contact your gynecologist if you sense any ectopic pregnancy symptoms.
Wishing you a safe and successful pregnancy journey!
Contact a fertility specialist to clear your doubts about ectopic pregnancies with IVF.
FAQs
Ectopic pregnancy does not affect the fertility rate at large. However ectopic pregnancy can recur. Therefore, consult your gynecologist as soon as you test positive in pregnancy tests.
According to the National Institutes of Health, there is around 2.1 to 8.6% chance of ectopic pregnancies under Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART). The probability also grows up to 11% in women who have had a history of tubal factor infertility. So it can not be said that ectopic pregnancies are uncommon in IVF.
You can reduce the risk of ectopic pregnancy by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The chief causes of ectopic pregnancy are inflamed pelvic region and Sexually transmitted diseases. So if you are suffering from PID or STIs, contact your gynecologist immediately. This will help reduce the risk of ectopic pregnancy.