In an ectopic pregnancy, a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. This kind of pregnancy does not deliver babies and it is impossible to put this egg back into the uterus. It is estimated that just over 2% of all pregnancies are ectopic in nature. Ectopic pregnancies are and should be medically terminated.

An early ectopic pregnancy displays symptoms that are quite similar to those of normal pregnancy. Women with ectopic pregnancy may experience the following;
• Missed periods
• Tender breasts
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• The urge to urinate more frequently

The first signs of ectopic pregnancy are –
• Vaginal bleeding
• Expectant mothers start feeling pain in the pelvic area or the abdomen 6 to 8 weeks after a missed period.
As this kind of pregnancy progresses, women may experience the following symptoms;
• Signs of shock – the patient might pass out suddenly, experience trouble in standing up or feel dizzy. A person in shock might experience increased heartbeat and a sudden increase in blood pressure. Shock is a life threatening medical condition and the patient must be taken immediately to a doctor on the appearance of these symptoms.
• Ectopic pregnancy symptoms also include belly or abdominal pain that may spread from one part of the abdomen to another. This pain is the result of movement or stretching.
• There may be heavy or severe bleeding.
• You might experience a sharp pain while having intercourse.
• If there is some internal bleeding then it may cause drowsiness, fainting or lightness.
• Often, an abdominal bleeding irritates the diaphragm which later on causes pain in the shoulder area.

Ectopic pregnancy symptoms are often very similar to those of miscarriage.

How does ectopic pregnancy occur?
After conception, the egg moves forward in one of the fallopian tubes. If the tube is damaged or blocked, the egg just stays there and does not move onward to the uterus. This results in an ectopic pregnancy.
In some cases, the egg may implant itself in an ovary, in the cervix, directly in the abdomen or even inside a c-section scar.

Risk factors of ectopic pregnancy
• Previous ectopic pregnancy – You are more likely to have another ectopic pregnancy if you have had an earlier one.
• Inflammation or infection of the fallopian tubes is an important risk factor for ectopic pregnancy. The root cause of these infections is gonorrhoea or chlamydia.
• Use of fertility drugs may also lead to ectopic pregnancy.
• Structural issues – Quite often, the fallopian tubes may be damaged during surgery. In most cases, this medical condition may also be triggered by badly made tubes.
• Choice of contraceptives – Many studies have suggested that ectopic pregnancy occurs if you use an intra-uterine device for contraception. Tying together of the tubes may also cause ectopic pregnancy.

While pregnancy is one of the best times in the life of a woman and an expecting couple, there are a number of situations and medical conditions that can mar this momentous occasion for some. An ectopic pregnancy is one such complication that can create problems for the expecting lady. Let us find out more about detecting one with the various signs and symptoms that it shows. In case you find any of these signs and symptoms, you must visit your doctor instantly for a proper diagnosis and timely treatment.

What is an Ectopic Pregnancy
To begin with, let us understand what an ectopic pregnancy really is. What we all know is that for a pregnancy to actually happen, the ovary has to release an egg which is fertilized by a sperm. This fertilized fetus then attaches itself to the uterine lining or the womb and then the pregnancy begins. In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg gets implanted in the fallopian tubes, in which case there is a lot of risk for the mother. This can happen in the early weeks of one’s pregnancy. Such a pregnancy has to be terminated so that the mother is safe and ready to try for pregnancy again.

Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are some of the greatest ectopic pregnancy symptoms. This usually happens because the fallopian tubes feel choked and the toxins release a lot of acidity. The patient will also usually have many bouts of vomiting in order to throw out the toxins and also to deal with the hormonal imbalances at this time.

Pain in the Abdomen
When the fallopian tubes are choked and the pregnancy does not happen in a natural manner, this can cause a lot of pain in the abdomen and stomach region, as the entire area will be affected. This can also give rise to infections if not treated on time. Light dizziness in the head and even fainting spells can be caused by the sharp and acute pain in such cases. Movement in this region and straining of the muscles of this region can also give rise to this kind of pain.

Fatigue
Owing to all the hormonal changes as well as the pain and light-headedness, the patient may also feel an inordinate amount of fatigue which will hamper the way the patient functions throughout the day.

Light Bleeding
The patient will also go through some amount of bleeding because of the strain caused to the tubes and the implantation of the fertilized egg. In such cases, the doctor must be contacted immediately. This kind of vaginal bleeding can also point at a shock because of the unnatural implantation in the tubes.

Pain in the Vaginal Area
General pain in the vaginal area might be experienced by the patient during sexual intercourse and other related activities as well as a pelvic exam. Prolonged pain of this nature is one of the signs of such a pregnancy and must be dealt with appropriately by the doctor who will recommend termination of the pregnancy.

It is easy to miss the signs of pregnancy at the very start. The very first early signs of pregnancy can easily be interpreted as symptoms of PMS. However, if you experience any of the below-mentioned symptoms then there is a good chance that you might be pregnant.

Here are some first week signs of pregnancy.
• Fatigue: If you begin to feel unusually tired all of a sudden, it can be indicative of your pregnancy. Extreme exhaustion can become a norm during pregnancy. But as the body begins to experience changes during pregnancy, fatigue is one of the first symptoms to show up.

• Mood swings: Blame the hormones, but frequent or unusual mood changes can be first early signs of pregnancy. You could be happy one moment and angry the next. You might get upset over inconsequential things.

• Frequent urination: During the early weeks and throughout the pregnancy, women can feel the urge to constantly urinate. This can happen as the uterus grows and puts extra pressure on the intestines. During the early weeks, when your uterus is not getting any bigger, you could still feel the need to urinate more than usual as hormonal changes triggered by your pregnancy can affect the functioning of your kidneys and bladder.

• Tender breasts: If your breasts are tender or sore, this could be one of the first early signs of pregnancy. This is due to hormonal changes in the body. Your breasts can be painful to touch and feel heavier than usual.

• Spotting: If your period is lighter than usual or early, this can be one of the first week signs of pregnancy. The tiny amount of bleeding can be due to the implantation process. This is when the embryo or the fertilized egg implants itself inside the uterus.

• Morning sickness: You could throw up frequently when your pregnancy begins and this can last for a few weeks.

• Constipation: Digestive problems like constipation, gas and bloating are common during early weeks of pregnancy. The initial hormonal changes like rise in progesterone levels can make women feel bloated.

• Nausea: Nausea and feelings of queasiness can begin very early into a pregnancy. This can differ as some women can feel nauseated all the time during the first trimester while others can have nausea as early as first week of pregnancy and then not have any in the later stages of their pregnancy.

• Headaches: Fatigue coupled with hormonal changes can trigger headaches.

• Food cravings: If you begin to have unusual cravings for food, consider it as one of very first early signs of pregnancy. You might also be hungry all the time and at unusual hours.

You might not have all the above symptoms during the early days of your pregnancy. But if you begin to feel any of the first week signs of pregnancy, it is a good idea to do a home pregnancy test or to see your doctor.

Pregnancy is a wonderful time where every expecting mother goes through a number of changes in her body. Most women generally find out their pregnant status a month or so into the pregnancy once a menstrual cycle has been missed, which may prompt them to take a test and find out whether or not they are pregnant. This is especially true for those mothers who have had an unplanned pregnancy. Yet, there are a number of signs and symptoms that can help you detect pregnancy as early as a few weeks into the same. Read on to know more!

Food
How you react to certain kinds of food will be one of the greatest indicators of early pregnancy. The start of your pregnancy will bring some amount of nausea and even food aversions. These aversions may happen due to protein or other requirements that the body may be going through, as well as hormonal changes which can trigger a number of such changes in the taste and preference. Women tend to get repulsed merely by the smell of certain items like dairy, meat and even certain types of vegetables. In this phase, it is best to drink lots of water and eat a lot of fruit.

Bloating and Tender
Bloating in the abdomen as well as pain and tenderness in the breasts and nipples is one of the first early signs of pregnancy. This usually happens because the uterus is still small, but adjusting to the changes that are about to come over the body. Also, the clothes may feel too snug and even hurt the skin. So it would be best to avoid tight fittings clothing so that you do not chaff and feel discomfort throughout the day. This kind of bloating will usually affect the waistline and make a woman feel like she is about to get her menstrual period.

Frequent Trips to the Bathroom
Frequent urination is another major problem that you will also feel because there will be some changes in the uterus and one will feel some amount of pressure in this part of the body. This is because the pregnancy will usually increase the rate at which blood flows into the kidneys, which can create pressure on the same and the urination will become a little more frequent in the bargain. This blood volume will continue to be on a rise throughout one’s pregnancy, which will only make the frequent urination more.

Mood Swings
The hormonal changes that one goes through during pregnancy can cause a variety mood swings because these hormones affect the way the neurotransmitters in the brain behave. These neurotransmitters are the chemical messages that are sent to the brain thanks to the play of hormones. So when the hormones are in an imbalance, the person may get conflicting chemical messages that can give rise to extreme emotions like happiness, dullness, sadness and even depression.

So if you have these signs for a prolonged period, you should take a pregnancy test and visit your doctor at the earliest.

Pregnancy ensues when the sperm of a man fertilizes the egg of a woman and the fertilized egg implants itself in the uterus. Conception happens quickly for many women but for others, it may take some time. Out of 100 couples seeking conception, 80 percent of them might conceive within a year, according to several journals on gynecology and reproductive health.

It is better to understand the female menstrual cycle at this point before we move forward.

The female menstrual cycle is counted from the first day of her period. The female period lasts for 2 to 5 days. In some women, the period may last longer. After the cessation of the period, the woman starts ovulating i.e. her ovaries start releasing eggs. The period of the ovulation is 12-14 days post which she has her next period. If you are wondering when to get pregnant, then read the next paragraph.

The best time to get pregnant is…
Fertile women are most likely to get pregnant within a day or two after ovulation and having sex with their partner. Ovulation is the process of the release of egg from the ovary. Ovulation lasts for about 14 days and it begins after the first day of your last period. We are assuming that in this case, the cycle is 28 days long.
An important point to consider is that an egg can live for just 24 to 48 hours from the time of its release from the ovaries. So what does this mean?

It simply means that to conceive you must have sex regularly with your partner during these 14 days so that the chances of the egg getting fertilized by the sperm increase many times. Fertilization takes place in the fallopian tubes.

You should also know that the sperm can live in the fallopian tubes for 7 days. When the egg is released from the ovaries, the sperm travels higher up in the tubes to fertilize it. Doctors say that since it is difficult to predict when the egg is actually released, it is equally difficult to forecast the day when conception will happen.

Ovulation is the process of the release of the egg from the ovaries. At the time of ovulation, the walls of the womb or the uterus begin to thicken. At the same time, the mucous of the cervix becomes thinner for the sperm to travel through it.

During intercourse, the egg is fertilized by the sperm inside one of the fallopian tubes. Once fertilized, the egg moves upward towards the womb. Upon reaching the uterus, the fertilized egg is implanted on the thickened walls of the uterus.

There are many stages in life that give us a sense of fulfillment and the feeling of complete happiness. Pregnancy and child birth are such phases where we prepare for a lifetime of parenthood activities. This phase is one where a woman takes maximum care of herself in the physical and emotional sense.

For most parents, conceiving a baby is a planned process. This is usually the recommended way to go, so that you are well-prepared. There are a number of ways to plan your pregnancy so that you have a good and healthy nine months as you wait for your baby to arrive. From when to get pregnant to nutrition and more, there are a number of things that you can do to make your pregnancy a smooth one.

When to get Pregnant
The best time to get pregnant is when you are ovulating. One can calculate the same by using an ovulation calculator or talking to the doctor about the same. Ovulation is the time when the ovaries release an egg which can get fertilized by sperm. This period usually takes place two weeks after the first day of your menstrual cycle. This is the most fertile time for a woman and the released egg usually remains active for 12 to 24 hours. Getting inseminated at this time will help in conceiving or increasing one’s chances of conception.

Taking Care of Reproductive Health
One will have to take care of the health of the reproductive organs of both the male and female partner, so as to have a healthy pregnancy and conceive in the most natural manner. In order to do this, it is imperative to get regular checkups and practicing safe sex with only one partner. Also, one must keep the private areas clean and hygienic so that there is no infection. It is important to have a proper checkup before the couple starts trying to conceive. The female partner should have the health of her ovaries tested, so as to ensure that they are going through the natural rhythms of ovulation without any kind of infection or other issues. The male partner should also get tested for various STDs as well as HIV and AIDS.

Nutrition and Weight
Before trying to conceive, the couple must take many precautionary measures that can also include a variety of lifestyle changes. To begin with, one will have to stop smoking and excessive alcohol consumption so that the chances of conception may increase. Also, the lady will have to take care of her health by bringing her weight to the ideal number so that the body remains healthy during pregnancy too. Also, the couple must stick to a good diet that is filled with the best nutrients which will also support the adequate development of the growing baby.

A woman’s pregnancy is the time when she has to be at her emotional and physical best. Yet, there are certain conditions that can cause complications and issues. Depression and anxiety is one such problem which can lead to a number of issues. The problem is that many women are not even aware of this fact and may attribute the changes to simple mood swings and hormonal changes. If depression goes undetected during pregnancy or becomes aggravated because a person stops taking the medication due to the pregnancy, it can actually lead to a host of problems.

Let us find out more about pregnancy and the silent disease called depression.

High Probability
You will be surprised to learn that many medical studies have concluded that every one in four pregnant women will go through depression during pregnancy. This can be attributed to major hormonal changes. Complications like ectopic pregnancy and other such reasons for miscarriage earlier can also make a high risk pregnancy which can lead to anxiety and depression.

Hormonal Changes
So let us find out how these hormonal changes work. The hormones in our mind and body send out chemical messages to the brain so that it has the right emotion at the right time which may propel the person to carry out certain actions. But during a hormonal imbalance, the person’s neurotransmitters or chemical messages may get confused which may cause a range of extreme emotions starting from happiness to sadness and even depression. This also happens due to the fact that pregnancy in general, especially for the first time mother, can be a pretty confusing time. This can also cause depression along with the hormonal changes when the right hormones are not released at the right time for the neurotransmitters to their work in the right manner.

Antepartum
Depression during pregnancy is also medically termed as antepartum and it can lead to many challenges and even complications if not treated appropriately and on time. The signs of this kind of a condition includes persistent sadness along with recurring thoughts of guilt and helplessness. The expecting mother may also have trouble falling off to sleep, which can lead to further hormonal imbalances. Further, anxiety can kick of stressful situations and even relationship problems which can also manifest in the form of postpartum depression where the new mother will not be able to function and take care of her child in a normal way.

Treatment
The best way to treat this kind of depression is through early detection. One should not ignore the earliest signs of antepartum, especially if there is persistent sadness and talk of guilt. This should immediately be reported to the doctor who will refer the patient to a psychiatrist or psychologist for treatment. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one of the primary forms of therapy that is carried out in such cases. The doctor will also have to prescribe the right medicines in case the level of depression is too high and almost suicidal. In such cases, one will have to have plenty of support in terms of home and relationships.