Lower back pain has been a common experience for you during your pregnancy. Lately, though, you have been feeling pain in your stomach, too. You may be experiencing an ectopic pregnancy, where your fertilized egg doesn’t grow inside your uterus as it should.
You’re not alone. Research shows that one out of every 50 pregnancies across the U.S. is ectopic. Risk factors include having an ectopic pregnancy previously and smoking.
A cornual ectopic pregnancy is a rare kind of ectopic pregnancy that should not be ignored. Let’s explore the indicators of a cornual ectopic pregnancy.
What Is a Cornual Ectopic Pregnancy?
This is a pregnancy where a fertilized egg becomes implanted in the woman’s cornua, a region of her uterus where her fallopian tubes meet. Cornual ectopic pregnancy symptoms might mirror those of a conventional ectopic pregnancy.
Stomach Pain
A common sign of a cornual ectopic pregnancy is abdominal pain. The stomach pain is usually acute, and you may feel it on just one side.
This may happen if an embryo grows in an environment that is unsuitable for growth. Your abdominal pain may be intense and sharp because your cornual region isn’t designed to hold an embryo.
Hemorrhaging
A vaginal hemorrhage is another common sign of ectopic pregnancy. This may include light spotting or extensive bleeding.
The bleeding occurs when the endometrial lining — the uterus’s inner lining — is disrupted outside of a woman’s uterine cavity. Remember that how much you bleed may not be indicative of how severe your ectopic pregnancy is, which is why seeking a professional diagnosis is important.
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder discomfort may point to an ectopic pregnancy. This discomfort is also called referred pain.
The discomfort might arise when bleeding from the pregnancy causes irritation that radiates to the shoulder. If your ectopic pregnancy is on your right side, then your right shoulder will likely be the one affected, and vice versa.
What To Do If You Have These Symptoms
This ectopic pregnancy may cause uterine rupture and heavy bleeding, which might be fatal if not treated right away. The danger of fast hemorrhaging increases when a rupture occurs, potentially leading to a catastrophic intraabdominal bleed.
Seek medical assistance immediately if you experience the above-listed symptoms. Blood tests and an ultrasound are often used to diagnose the condition.
Treatment might include surgery or medication. Your recommended treatment may depend on the pregnancy’s size, your symptoms, and your overall stability and health.
Your doctor may prescribe medication to stop your embryo’s growth and let your body absorb it. They may also perform surgery to remove the pregnancy while keeping your fallopian tube intact.
Help With Women’s Health Care in Idaho
The top indicators of a cornual ectopic pregnancy include abdominal pain. Other symptoms include vaginal hemorrhaging and shoulder pain.
At Women’s Health Associates, we offer high-quality gynecology and obstetrics services, including yearly check-ups. Our other services centered on women’s health in Boise include Pap smears, and contraceptive counseling.
We stand out for our personalized approach to women’s care and passion for helping women improve their lives through preventive care and healthy practices. Boost your health by scheduling an appointment with us today!
