In an abdominal cavity pregnancy, the embryo has taken root in the free abdominal cavity instead of the uterus. But that happens very rarely. The malignant ovum is usually not viable and dies on its own. If not, it can be removed by surgery or medication. Read everything important to the abdominal cavity pregnancy!
Abdominal cavity pregnancy: description
Like the ectopic pregnancy, the abdominal cavity pregnancy is a form of extrauterine pregnancy (= pregnancy outside the uterus). She is very rare. In the affected pregnant women, the fertilized egg did not nest in the uterus, but in the free abdominal cavity:
Usually fertilization of the egg cell takes place in the fallopian tube of the woman. Thereafter, the ovum makes its way to the uterus via the fallopian tube (uterus). The smallest cilia, which line the fallopian tubes from the inside, support the transport of the egg. Once she has reached the uterus, she has already shared several times. A small embryo has developed, which is implanted in the uterine lining (implantation). At this point, the placenta (mother cake) is created. She is responsible for supplying the unborn child with oxygen and nutrients until the end of the pregnancy.
Note: Sometimes the term abdominal cavity pregnancy is also commonly used for pregnancy outside the uterus (extrauterine pregnancy).
Abdominal Cavity: Causes & Risk Factors
An abdominal cavity pregnancy can occur if the fallopian tube leaks or the uterus is misplaced. Then the fertilized egg cell can falsely get into the free abdominal cavity and nest here.
The risk of such extrauterine pregnancy exists, for example, in women who have undergone abdominal surgery or artificial insemination. Spiral contraception (intrauterine device, IUD) also increases the risk of pregnancy outside the uterus (such as an abdominal cavity pregnancy). Other risk factors include, for example, an infection of the buccal tubes, the formation of an ovum, endometriosis and smoking.
Penile pregnancy: symptoms
At the beginning of an abdominal cavity pregnancy runs in principle like a normal pregnancy: The menstrual period is gone. Many women report morning sickness and a feeling of tightness in the breasts. The pregnancy test is positive.
Because there is a lot of room in the abdomen, the growing embryo usually does not cause any discomfort in this regard (in contrast to an embryo in the fallopian tube in case of an ectopic pregnancy). In addition, he usually dies on its own soon, before it can come to complaints.
Peritoneal pregnancy: examinations and diagnosis
An abdominal cavity pregnancy can be determined by a gynecologist. During regular preventive examinations, the doctor uses ultrasound to check whether the fertilized egg has settled in the uterus as normal. If this is not the case, although the pregnancy test is positive, there is a suspicion of extrauterine pregnancy.
By means of more accurate Ultrasound examinations The doctor tries to find the place of implantation of the egg. In most cases, the fallopian tube (ectopic pregnancy). Rarely has the egg falsely taken root in the abdominal cavity (abdominal cavity pregnancy) or elsewhere.
Also the Blood levels of the pregnancy hormone Beta-HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) may be an indication of extrauterine pregnancy: If the fertilized egg has settled outside the uterus, the HCG level is usually too low or does not increase in the same way as in a normal pregnancy.
In unclear cases, the doctor may also have one laparoscopy (Laparoscopy) to find the malformed ovum. It can then be removed immediately as part of the intervention.
Abdominal cavity pregnancy: treatment
It is generally not possible to have an abdominal cavity pregnancy. If the body does not stop the extrauterine pregnancy itself, the doctor will remove the misfit embryo by surgery or medication. For more on these treatments, see Ectopic Pregnancy: Treatment.
Peritoneal pregnancy: history and prognosis
In the vast majority of cases the body terminates an abdominal cavity pregnancy itself – the embryo in the abdominal cavity dies, the tissue is resorbed. If not, treatment is needed because there are significant health risks for the woman. It can come about to dangerous bleeding in the abdominal cavity.
In principle, a woman can become pregnant again after an abdominal cavity pregnancy – this time with a normal ovarian egg. In individual cases, however, the chance of a normal pregnancy may be more or less reduced. At the same time, the risk of a renewed Ectopic pregnancy elevated.