Can You Have Normal And Ectopic Pregnancy At The Same Time?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can you have normal and ectopic pregnancy at the same time?

Heterotopic pregnancy is the existence of two simultaneous pregnancies with separate implantation sites

, one of which is a viable intrauterine pregnancy (occurring in the uterus) and the other of which is a non-viable ectopic pregnancy (occurring outside of the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube).

Is it possible to have an ectopic and normal pregnancy at the same time?


A heterotopic pregnancy is a complication of pregnancy in which both extrauterine (ectopic) pregnancy and intrauterine pregnancy occur simultaneously

. It may also be referred to as a combined ectopic pregnancy, multiple‐sited pregnancy, or coincident pregnancy.

How common is a heterotopic pregnancy?

[4] In natural conception cycles, heterotopic pregnancy is a rare event, occurring in

<1/30,000 pregnancies

. [5–7] It occurs in about 0.08% of all pregnancies. [8] With assisted reproduction techniques, however, this incidence increases to between 1/100 and 1/500.

How does a heterotopic pregnancy happen?

An ectopic pregnancy occurs

when a fertilized egg implants and grows outside the main cavity of the uterus

. An ectopic pregnancy most often occurs in a fallopian tube, which carries eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. This type of ectopic pregnancy is called a tubal pregnancy.

How soon would you know if you have an ectopic pregnancy?

Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy usually develop

between the 4th and 12th weeks of pregnancy

. Some women don’t have any symptoms at first. They may not find out they have an ectopic pregnancy until an early scan shows the problem or they develop more serious symptoms later on.

How soon can ultrasound detect ectopic?

Levels of this hormone increase during pregnancy. This blood test may be repeated every few days until ultrasound testing can confirm or rule out an ectopic pregnancy — usually

about five to six weeks after conception

.

Can an ectopic pregnancy move to the uterus on its own?


An ectopic pregnancy cannot move or be moved to the uterus

, so it always requires treatment. There are two methods used to treat an ectopic pregnancy: 1) medication and 2) surgery.

Can you have a gestational sac in uterus with ectopic?

Findings

diagnostic of an ectopic pregnancy include a gestational sac with a yolk sac or embryo (with or without a heartbeat) outside of the uterus

[15]. As above, a gestational sac alone (without a yolk sac or embryo) is insufficient for diagnosis.

Can a gestational sac be mistaken for something else?

A pseudogestational sac, also known as a pseudosac or intra-cavitary fluid, is the concept that

a small amount of intrauterine fluid in the setting of a positive pregnancy test and abdominal pain could be erroneously interpreted as a true gestational sac in ectopic pregnancy

.

What were your hCG levels with ectopic?

Absence of an intrauterine gestational sac on abdominal ultrasound in conjunction with a β-hCG level of

greater than 6,500 mIU per mL

suggests the presence of an ectopic pregnancy.

What are 3 signs of an ectopic pregnancy?

  • Light vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain.
  • Upset stomach and vomiting.
  • Sharp abdominal cramps.
  • Pain on one side of your body.
  • Dizziness or weakness.
  • Pain in your shoulder, neck, or rectum.

What does ectopic pain feel like?

Often, the first warning signs of an ectopic pregnancy are pain or vaginal bleeding. There might be pain in the pelvis, abdomen, or even the shoulder or neck (if blood from a ruptured ectopic pregnancy builds up and irritates certain nerves). The pain can range from

mild and dull to severe and sharp

.

Do ectopic pregnancies test positive?

Would an Ectopic Pregnancy Show Up on a Home Pregnancy Test? Since ectopic pregnancies still produce the hormone hCG,

they’ll register as a positive home pregnancy test

. People with ectopic pregnancies will also experience early pregnancy symptoms like sore breasts, nausea, spotting, and more.

How long can an ectopic pregnancy last before it ruptures?

However, because tissues outside the uterus cannot provide the necessary blood supply and support, ultimately the fetus does not survive. The structure containing the fetus typically ruptures after about

6 to 16 weeks

, long before the fetus is able to live on its own.

Does empty sac mean ectopic pregnancy?



Ectopic pregnancy is diagnosed when the gestational sac with a live fetal pole or yolk sac is found outside an empty uterine cavity

,” says Dr. Khalife. “Sometimes, diagnosis can be challenging if the ectopic pregnancy is in its early stage and the sac is not yet visible by ultrasound.”

Can hCG double with ectopic?

However,

up to 21% of ectopic pregnancies demonstrate a β-hCG doubling time identical to that of intrauterine pregnancies

(

,

9).

Do you bleed like a period with ectopic pregnancy?

Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy

Vaginal bleeding —

vaginal bleeding is a different type of bleeding from your regular period

. It often starts and stops, and can be bright or dark red in colour. Some women mistake this bleeding for a regular period and do not realise they are pregnant.

What can mimic ectopic pregnancy?


Ovarian neoplasms

, although less common than paraovarian cysts or dermoid cysts, can also mimic ectopic pregnancy. If there is concern for an ovarian neoplasm based on a patient’s clinical presentation and ultrasound findings, magnetic resonance imaging can be obtained for further evaluation of the mass.

Can stress affect hCG levels?

In conclusion,

stress-related hormones affect placental HCG secretion in vitro

. The involvement of these factors in impairing early pregnancy development is suggested.

What are the chances my ultrasound was wrong?

The chances of an error with ultrasound are

up to 5 percent

, says Schaffir. An ultrasound can be between 95 to 99 percent accurate in determining sex, depending on when it’s done, how skilled the sonographer is and whether baby is in a position that shows the area between their legs.

Can ectopic pregnancy seen on ultrasound?


There are findings on ultrasound that are indicative of possible ectopic pregnancy

. Positive findings include an empty uterine cavity, decidual cast, a thick echogenic endometrium, or a pseudo-gestational sac in the presence of beta hCG levels above the discriminatory zone.

Who is at risk for ectopic pregnancy?


All sexually active women

are at some risk for an ectopic pregnancy. Risk factors increase with any of the following: maternal age of 35 years or older. history of pelvic surgery, abdominal surgery, or multiple abortions.

Do ectopic cramps come and go?

Ectopic Pregnancy Symptoms

Sharp or stabbing pain that

may come and go and vary in intensity

. (The pain may be in the pelvis, abdomen, or even the shoulder and neck due to blood from a ruptured ectopic pregnancy pooling under the diaphragm). Vaginal bleeding, heavier or lighter than your normal period.

Can you have ectopic without bleeding?

Abdominal pain and cramping on one side of the abdomen can be symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy (2).

It’s also possible to have an ectopic pregnancy without any vaginal bleeding or pain

(3).

Can an ectopic pregnancy move to the uterus on its own?


An ectopic pregnancy cannot move or be moved to the uterus

, so it always requires treatment. There are two methods used to treat an ectopic pregnancy: 1) medication and 2) surgery.

How can you tell the difference between an ectopic pregnancy and a normal pregnancy?

An ectopic pregnancy can have typical pregnancy symptoms, but additional symptoms include:

Sharp pains in the abdominal area which radiates towards the pelvis. Vaginal bleeding. Fainting, dizziness, and weakness

.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.