Little-known sign of ectopic pregnancy you might notice when going to the toilet
Around one in 90 pregnancies in the UK is an ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when a fertilised egg implants itself outside of the womb.
The serious health condition, which is the leading cause of maternal death in the first trimester of early pregnancy, almost always requires urgent medical attention, warns the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust. If left untreated, there is risk of a rupture and life-threatening bleeding.
In most cases, an ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilised egg gets stuck outside the space of the womb. It can also attach to the cervix, ovary, or somewhere in the abdominal cavity. Sadly, it is not possible to move an ectopic pregnancy into the uterus.
While common signs of pregnancy may appear, there is also a little-known sign that people should look out for - discomfort when peeing or pooing. Changes to your bowel and bladder patterns are normal during pregnancy could also signal something more serious.
Detailing the symptom, Pampers said: "You may experience pain when you're going for a pee or a poo, and you may even have diarrhoea or pain in the shoulder.
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"You may feel an unusual pain where your shoulder ends and your arm begins. While the causes are not known, it can signal that an ectopic pregnancy is causing internal bleeding."
Symptoms develop during the early stages of pregnancy and can vary from woman to woman. Some will notice all the signs while others will experience no signs until rupture happens. Prof Marian Knight of the University of Oxford suggests many women are suffering avoidable harm because of a failure to identify an ectopic pregnancy.
The NHS reports other symptoms include a missed period, tummy pain - low down on one side, vaginal bleeding, brown watery discharge, and pain in the tip of your shoulder. People should bear in mind that these symptoms could be a sign of other problems, such as a stomach bug.
You should call 999 or visit A&E if you are experiencing sharp, sudden and intense pain in your tummy, feeling very dizzy or faint, feeling sick, or start to look very pale; these symptoms could be a sign that your fallopian tube has split.
The NHS reports: "A rupture can be life-threatening, but fortunately they're uncommon and treatable if dealt with quickly. Deaths from ruptures are extremely rare in the UK."
What is the treatment for an ectopic pregnancy?
There are three main treatments for ectopic pregnancy including expectant management - when patients are carefully monitored and one of two treatments are used if the egg doesn't dissolve by itself. What's more, several patients will get an injection of methotrexate medicine to prevent the pregnancy from growing.
In several cases, patients have to undergo keyhole surgery, performed under general anaesthetic. The fertilised egg is removed, usually along with the affected fallopian tube.
If you need further information about ectopic pregnancies speak to your GP or visit the NHS website here.
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