Eptopic Pregnancy

I had an ectopic pregnancy 2 years ago and it is nothing to mess with! Mine was early on, but still ended up rupturing and I had to have an emergency surgery. To make a long story short, my doctor did not take me seriously when I called with pain symptoms. They told me since I was pregnant, my body was going through many changes causing discomfort. To be on the safe side, I demanded bloodwork. Turned out my blood levels were at a standstill over a 72 hour period and that is when they brought me in for an ultrasound. The rupture must have just happened, so I was very lucky. Ectoptic can cause death. Please have your friend demand an ultrasound immediately to rule out any possiblity of ectopic. It could save her life.

M.~
I think you need more information. An ectopic pregnancy cannot go to term. It is a pregnancy that attaches itself inside the fallopian tube rather than the uterus. It can be life threatening if left untreated. She is not aborting a baby, it's a failed pregnancy. I can only assume that the blood tests are to confirm pregnancy, not to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy. If she is, indeed pregnant, she'll need an ultrasound to confirm that it is/isn't ectopic. Her doc is right not to jump into a surgical procedure, but she does need to be treated promplty. It is not safe to let the pregnancy miscarry on it's own, it simply has to be removed.
~L.

Hi M.,
I agree with Lacy and Nicole. It can turn into a scary situation.
Chris

If what you are conveying is true...I would switch doctors immediately.

First of all, an etopic pregnancy should be diagnosed with an ultra sound not a blood test.

The blood test they are giving her is determine hormone levels. When a pregnancy test is positive and hormone levels are low it can be a sign of a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. The hormone levels should rise/double every 2 or 3 days. But the blood test alone cannot diagnose an ectopic pregnancy-- she needs an ultra-sound and fast.

If an ectopic pregancy is caught fast enough the ovary will not rupture-- the pregnancy can be surgically removed (there is no way an ectopic pregnancy can be carried to term).

If her ovary ruptures she can face serious complications.

She needs to speak with her doctor and/or change doctors quickly.