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Hello Anonymous,

Welcome to EmpowHER. Thank you for reaching out to us about how to tell the difference between a period and ectopic pregnancy bleeding.

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg attaches itself in a place other than inside the uterus. Almost all ectopic pregnancies occur in the fallopian tube and are thus sometimes called tubal pregnancies. The fallopian tubes are not designed to hold a growing embryo; thus, the fertilized egg in a tubal pregnancy cannot develop properly.

Signs and symptoms may vary from woman to woman, but the most common indicators are a missed period, abdominal pain, and vaginal bleeding. However, many women have no symptoms at all until the ectopic pregnancy ruptures.

The bleeding may look like the start of a light period. The blood may be red or brown, like the color of dried blood, and it may be continuous or intermittent, heavy, or light.

Symptoms typically develop around the sixth week of pregnancy. This is about two weeks after a missed period if you have regular periods. However, symptoms may develop at any time between 4 and 10 weeks of pregnancy.

Symptoms can also start about the time a period is due. At first you may think the symptoms are just a late period.

Abdominal or pelvic pain or tenderness may be felt only on one side, but the pain can be anywhere in your abdomen or pelvis. It may be mild and intermittent early on, but it can also be sudden, persistent, and severe. It may be dull or sharp, and you may also have nausea and vomiting. You may find that the pain gets worse when you're active or when you move your bowels or cough. If the fallopian tube has ruptured, your abdomen may be distended and swollen.

Pain in your shoulder, especially when you lie down, is a red flag for a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, and it's critical to get medical attention immediately. The cause of the pain is internal bleeding, which irritates nerves that go to your shoulder area.

An ectopic pregnancy can be tricky to diagnose. Your obstetrician may suspect an ectopic pregnancy if you have pain during an abdominal or pelvic exam at your first prenatal visit, or if he/she detects a mass.

Anonymous, if a woman is having the above mentioned symptoms, she should go the emergency room of her local hospital immediately.

Regards,
Maryann

November 8, 2016 - 9:38am

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