Comprehensive care in the prevention of ectopic pregnancy and associated negative outcomes

Research done in the past few decades on ectopic pregnancies has shed light on numerous factors that predispose women to developing such pregnancies. With the incidence References: of ectopic pregnancy as high as it is and the consequences as devastating as they are, these factors cannot be ignored. Women must receive comprehensive education, beginning at a young age and continuing through preconception and prenatal care. They are making choices that can cause a predisposition to ectopic pregnancy and must be informed of the risks. They also are the primary monitors of their bodies and can detect the earliest symptoms of ectopic pregnancy. Realistically, preventing ectopic pregnancy by educating women and girls regarding the effects of sexually transmitted diseases, smoking, drug use, and douching on pregnancy will take place within a larger context. For example, teenagers are not very likely to be significantly affected by warnings of damage to their fallopian tubes. However, including the risk of future infertility within the context of other risks may contribute to the weight of the arguments not to take part in risky activities. An example of a standard for education would be to start when the woman receives her initial "sex education" as a young teenager and include the risk of infertility as a consequence of smoking, drug use, douching and unsafe sex. During preconception counseling, the woman can be screened for predisposing factors to ectopic pregnancy and informed of the signs and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy, as well as the importance of early detection. For the prenatal period, the woman can be scheduled for an initial appointment soon after her first phone call to the obstetrician's or midwife's office. At this point, she will be reminded of the signs and symptoms and will begin to establish rapport with someone from the practice. Finally, before any reproductive procedure such as tubal ligation, the woman should be informed of the increased risk of ectopic pregnancy. With such a comprehensive yet simple plan incorporated into today's standard of care, many ectopic pregnancies and corresponding negative outcomes may be avoided.