What is an ectopic pregnancy and what are its risks? The condition that María Becerra experienced

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes. This type of pregnancy cannot develop safely and requires immediate medical attention. (Women’s Medical Institute)

In the last few hours, María Becerra reported that she had to undergo “an operation because she was experiencing an ectopic pregnancy.” In this sense, from her Instagram account, the singer assured that, after this procedure, “everything went very well and we are already with Juli at home, recovering surrounded by a lot of love.” What is this condition, what are its symptoms and how to prevent it?

According to the artist, it was “an unexpected moment, I felt very strong pains in my abdomen after finishing yesterday’s rehearsal and we went to the emergency room where we both found out that the pregnancy was ectopic and with hemorrhage.” “It was very hard emotionally everything we lived through, since we longed to be parents and have a baby (which is still in our plans for the future, since we have plenty of love and a whole life ahead of us),” she indicated.

The truth is that an ectopic pregnancy is a serious medical condition in which a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes. That is, the egg cannot reach the uterus, and it positions itself outside of it. In addition, this condition can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention, since the egg cannot develop properly, which poses serious risks to the woman’s health.

María Becerra and J Rei shared a photo from a clinic and gave sad news: “We were looking forward to having a baby” (Photo: Instagram)

As stated, an ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. This type of pregnancy, also known as a tubal pregnancy, is the most common and occurs when the egg becomes trapped in the fallopian tubes due to damage or blockage. According to the Mayo Clinic, “ectopic pregnancies cannot continue normally” because the environment outside the uterus is not suitable for the development of the embryo.

In some cases, the egg may implant in other areas, such as the ovaries, abdominal cavity, or cervix. However, regardless of the implantation site, an ectopic pregnancy cannot progress safely.

“Normally, it occurs in 1 to 1.5% of pregnancies. Lately, it is becoming more frequent, since one of the reasons for ectopic pregnancy is being over 35 years old. Other causes may be abdominal surgery, pelvic scars, having had a previous ectopic pregnancy, an infection in the tubes, some pelvic inflammatory disease, sexually transmitted disease or others. That is, pathologies that produce inflammation in the tubes, which makes it difficult for the egg to migrate to the uterine cavity,” said Dr. Darío Didia, Head of the Obstetrics Division of the Hospital de Clínicas of the UBA (MN 69,333).

Ectopic pregnancy usually occurs between six and eight weeks after the last menstrual period, although it can occur earlier or later, depending on where the egg has implanted. EFE/Zayra Mo

In the early stages of an ectopic pregnancy, symptoms may resemble those of a normal pregnancy, such as missed periods, breast tenderness and nausea. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, “often, the first warning signs of an ectopic pregnancy are light vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain.” If not diagnosed early, the pain can intensify and spread to the abdomen or shoulders.

This may be a sign that the fertilized egg is still growing in the fallopian tube, which could eventually cause it to rupture. In severe cases, emergency symptoms include “extreme dizziness, fainting and shock,” the experts added, while warning that this is a serious condition if the condition is not treated in time.

If not treated in time, an ectopic pregnancy can cause the fallopian tube to rupture, leading to severe internal bleeding that can be life-threatening for the affected woman. (Getty Images)

The causes of ectopic pregnancy can vary, but the main factor is damage to the fallopian tubes, which prevents the egg from reaching the uterus. In this regard, the Mayo Clinic indicated that a “fertilized egg gets trapped while on its way to the uterus, often because the fallopian tubes are damaged by inflammation or malformation. Hormonal imbalances or abnormal development of the fertilized egg can also play a role,” the experts added.

They also pointed out that another factor is “sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, which can cause inflammation of the tubes” and increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy. Scars resulting from previous surgeries or infections can also contribute to blocked tubes.

Other risk factors include having had a previous ectopic pregnancy, the use of intrauterine devices (IUDs), and fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization. Medline Plus notes that, “If you have had multiple sexual partners or have had tubal surgery, your risk is significantly increased.” Smoking is another major risk factor, as it affects the normal functioning of the fallopian tubes.

Women who smoke before becoming pregnant have a considerably higher risk of suffering an ectopic pregnancy, since smoking affects the proper functioning of the fallopian tubes. (Illustrative Image Infobae)

Warning signs of an ectopic pregnancy include pelvic or abdominal pain accompanied by vaginal bleeding. These symptoms can become more severe if the pregnancy is not treated in time. BMJ warns, meanwhile, that “haemodynamic instability and tenderness to cervical motion may indicate rupture or impending rupture of an ectopic pregnancy.” This event can lead to severe internal bleeding, which is life-threatening for the woman.

In more severe cases, the fallopian tube may rupture, resulting in massive internal bleeding. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of this event include “severe abdominal or pelvic pain accompanied by vaginal bleeding, extreme lightheadedness or fainting, and shoulder pain.” These symptoms are clear signs that the ectopic pregnancy has progressed and requires urgent medical attention.

“It is a pathology that generally does not cause many symptoms different from those of a normal pregnancy until complications begin to appear. The most common complication is the rupture of the tube, which causes bleeding, irritation of the peritoneum, the abdomen and that is where the symptoms appear, which can be pain, dizziness, low blood pressure. The severity will depend on the amount of bleeding,” said Didia.

Although intrauterine contraceptives reduce the risk of pregnancy, if a pregnancy occurs while using an IUD, it is more likely to be ectopic, requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment. (Freepik)

While it’s not always possible to prevent an ectopic pregnancy, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk. Medline Plus suggests that “practicing safe sex by taking steps before and during sex” is one of the most effective ways to prevent sexually transmitted infections that can damage the fallopian tubes. Using condoms and reducing the number of sexual partners are key strategies to reduce your risk.

Quitting smoking is also essential to prevent this condition, as smoking is directly linked to an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.

That is why Mayo Clinic specialists recommend “not smoking,” and if a woman smokes, she should quit the habit “before trying to get pregnant” to reduce the risk of the fertilized egg implanting outside the uterus.

Preventing sexually transmitted infections by using condoms can significantly reduce the risk of damage to the fallopian tubes and, consequently, the risk of ectopic pregnancy. (Illustrative Image Infobae)

Treatment for an ectopic pregnancy varies depending on the stage at which it is diagnosed. If caught early, it can be treated with medications such as methotrexate, which stops the embryo from growing. Mayo Clinic says that “effective treatment requires medical treatment to end the pregnancy,” which helps avoid surgery and its potential complications.

However, if the ectopic pregnancy has already caused the fallopian tube to rupture, surgery will be necessary. In these cases, the fallopian tube may need to be removed to prevent further complications.

According to Medline Plus, “if the area of ​​the ectopic pregnancy ruptures,” immediate intervention is essential to stop the bleeding and stabilize the patient.

“If the diagnosis is made before the complication, the treatment can be with medication. If the pregnancy has reached week 6, 7 or 8, medication has no effect and surgical treatment must be started. Surgical treatment can be done by laparoscopy, that is, without opening the abdomen, or by laparotomy, opening the abdomen. Sometimes the ovary or the ectopic pregnancy that is implanted in the ovary can be removed. If it is in the tube, depending on whether it has ruptured, whether or not it is very damaged, it can be preserved by doing a small conservative surgery, but this increases the risk of future ectopic pregnancies,” concluded Didia.