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RU-486, commonly called "the medical abortion pill," refers to the drug mifepristone --- trade name Mifiprex --- which is used to terminate pregnancies within the first 49 days of gestation in the United States. Mifiprex attained approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Sept. 28, 2000, amid much controversy. RU-486 is given along with another drug, misoprostol, which is used increase effectiveness, softening the cervix and inducing uterine contractions
In some cases, a fertilized egg may implant outside the uterus, such as near the cervix. Kids Health reports that as many as 95 percent of these cases happen with implantation in the fallopian tube. This misplacement of the fertilized egg is why such pregnancies are known as "ectopic," or "out of place." Ectopic pregnancies are potentially life threatening, so you should know what the signs are if you're trying to conceive.
An ectopic pregnancy is one that cannot be carried to term because the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. In most cases, the egg implants in the fallopian tube, which is also called a tubal pregnancy, but eggs also may implant in the abdomen or ovary. Ectopic pregnancies occur in about one in 60 pregnancies, according to the American Pregnancy Association. If an ectopic pregnancy is discovered, it must be terminated medically or surgically. If it is not diagnosed, the fallopian tube can rupture and cause serious complications.
One out of every 100 pregnancies are ectopic, according to Dr. Peter Chen of the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. This means that the fertilized egg implants itself and starts to develop in an area other than a woman’s uterus--most often in a fallopian tube, but occasionally in the abdomen or cervix. If an ectopic pregnancy is allowed to grow, it can cause the tube to rupture (or burst), which potentially causes life-threatening internal bleeding. By recognizing the signs and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy, and specifically a ruptured tube, women can seek prompt emergency medical treatment for their condition.
If a woman experiences an ectopic pregnancy, she must act right away to end the pregnancy. According to google.com/health, ectopic pregnancies occur in one in every 40 to 1 in every 100 pregnancies. An ectopic pregnancy is an "abnormal pregnancy that occurs outside the womb." This condition can be fatal for mother and baby.
An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilized egg implants itself in the fallopian tubes (tubal pregnancy) instead of the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy can also occur in the abdomen, ovary or cervix. A fertilized egg cannot survive outside the uterus, so it must be removed. Ectopic pregnancy has several causes or risk factors.
IVF, or in vitro fertilization, is a type of infertility treatment. IVF is often a good option for women who have experienced one or more ectopic pregnancies. For these women, IVF reduces the risk having another ectopic pregnancy. In comparison to the rate of ectopic pregnancy among all pregnancies in the United States, however, IVF treatments do carry a slightly higher chance of ectopic pregnancy.
The word ectopic comes from the Greek word "ektopos" which means "away from a place" or "out of place." In a normal pregnancy, the egg is fertilized in the ovary then travels down the fallopian tube and implants in the wall of the uterus, where it grows to term. In an ectopic pregnancy the fertilized egg implants in an area other than the uterus. Sometimes the egg stays in the ovary or it may implant somewhere in the abdomen. But, according to Josie L Tenore, MD, SM, in an article for American Family Physician -- in 95% of cases the…
An ectopic pregnancy is commonly referred to as a tubal pregnancy because 95 percent occur in a fallopian tube. An ectopic pregnancy needs to be treated immediately to avoid fallopian tube damage or life threatening blood loss. When identified early, ectopic pregnancies are treatable with medication that stops the pregnancy. If the pregnancy is further along, laparoscopy is usually performed to remove the ectopic tissue and repair the fallopian tube.
