Rehabilitation after an ectopic pregnancy

More than 50% of women who experience an ectopic pregnancy may experience further problems with conception, such as another ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. However, if you follow the recommendations of doctors, you can significantly increase the chances of a favorable conception.

Methods for terminating an ectopic pregnancy

If a pathological pregnancy occurs, the embryo can be localized in the fallopian tube (about 95% of all cases), as well as in the cervix, ovaries, and even the abdominal cavity. The method of treatment depends on where pathological fertilization occurs. The sooner the fact of pathology is detected, the less traumatic the procedure for getting rid of it will be. In the earliest stages, you can only do with medication. The patient takes a hormonal drug that pushes the fertilized egg to the end of the fallopian tube, from where the doctor can already abort it. Sometimes the embryo can leave the body with menstrual flow, however, in this case, the woman's body is not always completely cleansed and additional cleaning of the uterus may be required. If the pathology was discovered later, as well as in cases where the fetus does not develop in the tubes, but in the neck, ovary or peritoneum, surgical abortion options are prescribed.

Among the operational methods of interruption are:

• Extrusion (milking). It is carried out if the fetal egg has already exfoliated and after drug treatment, when the fetus is on the border of the fallopian tube. IN ;
• Salpingostomy or tubotomy - opening the fallopian tube from the closed side and removing the embryo from it. After that, the pipe is sewn up;
• Salpingo- or tubectomy - removal of the fallopian tube along with the embryo. It is prescribed only in extreme cases, when the patient is in critical condition, and it is not possible to save the fallopian tube. Often this method is chosen for a repeated case of abnormal development of pregnancy. Sometimes, when the situation requires it, the tube can be removed along with the ovary;
• Laparoscopy is by far the least traumatic method, since it does not require large incisions. The procedure is carried out by piercing the peritoneum with special instruments - called a trocar. They are tubes with a small diameter through which instruments and a miniature video camera are inserted, with which the doctor monitors the progress of the operation. This procedure causes relatively the least damage to health, since most often after it the fallopian tubes remain intact. This makes it possible to safely conceive and bear a child.
• In especially severe cases, complete removal of the uterus (extirpation) may be required, which makes it impossible to conceive and bear a child in the future.

Rehabilitation after ectopic pregnancy and tube removal

After the interruption procedure is carried out by one of the methods described above, it is necessary to prevent possible complications after them. Among them may be inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs or obstruction of the fallopian tubes. To prevent complications, a woman must adhere to the basic rules of behavior after abdominal surgery:

• Within 3 days after the operation, the patient can not move independently;
• During the period from 2 weeks to a month, it is necessary to carefully monitor the process of healing of the sutures, disinfect the incision sites and prevent the occurrence of infection in them;
• Do not allow physical stress and do not carry heavy loads for 1-2 months after the operation.
• Maintain immunity, prevent its decline.
• Wear a support bandage, and in order to avoid adhesions, do light physical exercises to strengthen the abdominal cavity, which are prescribed by the doctor;
• Avoid hypothermia, wear insulated underwear in cold weather;
• Refrain from sexual activity for at least 3 weeks from the moment of laparoscopy, with abdominal surgery this period should be at least 6 weeks;
• Follow a diet, including in it a maximum of foods rich in vitamins and trace elements, especially vitamin A, E, group B, succinic, folic acid are needed. It is necessary to increase the amount of fish and seafood, dairy products, nuts, fruits and vegetables.

In some cases, especially after a tubectomy, pain medication is needed.

If a fallopian tube ruptures or damage to internal organs occurs during an ectopic pregnancy, severe blood loss can occur, which can cause iron deficiency. In this case, anemia therapy is additionally prescribed.

In order to select the most appropriate methods of recovery after an ectopic pregnancy, it is necessary to identify the cause of its occurrence. Among the most frequent are:

• Features of the anatomical structure of female appendages;
• Diseases associated with inflammation of the pelvic organs, such as acute and chronic adnexitis (inflammation of the ovaries), salpingitis (inflammation of the fallopian tubes) or endometritis (inflammation of the uterus);
• Venereal diseases (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes virus, etc.). If this was the cause, both partners should be treated in order to prevent the recurrence of the pathology;
• Injuries, weight lifting in the early stages of pregnancy;
• Hormonal disorders, including the consequences of taking hormonal contraceptives, especially the so-called "emergency" ones;
• Surgical interventions in the abdominal cavity, a history of abortion.

After finding out the cause, he develops a plan for the restoration of the woman's reproductive system. For this, various physiotherapeutic procedures are used, such as:

• Galvanization - the patient's body is affected by a galvanic current of low voltage, which helps to increase or decrease the excitability of epithelial cells;
• Electrophoresis. A medicinal solution is injected into the uterine cavity, after which a weak electric current is applied to the tissues, which helps the drug to penetrate into the cells of the mucosa;
• Ultrasound therapy - helps to strengthen blood vessels and improve blood circulation in the pelvic organs;
• Phototherapy - light from ultraviolet lamps helps speed up wound healing;
• Ozokerite and paraffin therapy - with the help of applications with these materials, they warm up the affected areas of the body, improve blood flow in them. Due to this, the tissues are supplied with a large amount of oxygen. Interference therapy has the same effect. This is a method in which a low-frequency impulse is applied to the affected area, which is given by two circuits of the initial current.

Treatment and rehabilitation after an ectopic pregnancy and laparoscopy lasts a long time, up to six months, however, if you follow all the doctor's instructions, there is a high probability of a complete restoration of the woman's reproductive system.

Particular attention should be paid to psychological work with a woman, because after an ectopic pregnancy, especially with the subsequent removal of the tube, there is always a chance that it may become infertile, especially if there are damage or adhesions in the second tube. The doctor must give her a complete picture of her ability to conceive, and also inspire her with confidence that if she has this opportunity, she will definitely succeed.

The risk of a second ectopic pregnancy and its prevention

Such an unfavorable development of pregnancy is very rare, in only 1-3% of cases. However, if this happened to a woman once, the probability of repeating such a situation increases by 7-30%.

After treatment of an ectopic pregnancy, re-fertilization should not be allowed for at least 6 months. Therefore, it is extremely important for a woman to monitor contraception. One barrier method may not be enough, so the doctor will usually prescribe oral contraceptives. They help not only reduce the risk of re-development of a pathological pregnancy, but also prevent inflammation in the pelvic organs. While taking hormonal contraception, the ovaries "rest", and after its cancellation, they begin to work with a vengeance, which significantly increases the possibility of conception.

Planning for pregnancy after recovery

After the woman's body is fully restored, the doctor considers her possibility of becoming a mother. A comprehensive examination is carried out, which includes checking for the absence of urogenital infections, DNA analysis at the cellular level, bacterial culture from the uterine mucosa and testing for antibodies. If there is no contraindication, you can plan a new pregnancy one year after treatment. In the event that a woman cannot become pregnant on her own within a year, the doctor suggests considering the option of artificial insemination. This procedure is also carried out only a year after the operation.