Every month we will identify the 6 most commonly asked questions about ectopic pregnancy and answer them. If you have any further questions which you cannot find answers on the website, please can you contact us.
How soon would you know if you have an ectopic pregnancy?
Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy usually, but not always, occur at about 6 to 8 weeks after the last menstrual period.
What happens when a woman has an ectopic pregnancy?
A woman will experience the same general symptoms of any pregnancy which may include frequency of micturition, breast tenderness and occasionally nausea.
Which shoulder hurts during ectopic pregnancy?
A leaking or ruptured ectopic pregnancy leads to bleeding into the abdominal cavity. When laying down, blood collects behind the diaphragm causing irritation. Due to nerve ending connections this results in referred shoulder tip discomfort or pain. This can occur in either or both shoulders.
How can you detect an ectopic pregnancy at home?
A home pregnancy test could confirm a pregnancy but cannot give any information as to the site of the pregnancy (see History of Pregnancy Testing on the website).
Can bad sperm cause ectopic pregnancy?
A semen analysis measures a number of parameters including volume sperm, count mobility and the number of abnormal forms. There is no evidence that an abnormal semen analysis is linked to the development of an ectopic pregnancy.
Can ectopic pregnancy be detected at 4 weeks?
It is not possible to diagnose and ectopic pregnancy at 4 weeks from the last menstrual period; it is usually diagnosed at about six to eight weeks from the last period.
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