Ectopic Pregnancy - Counseling & Management

I discussed at length the causes and risk factors for ectopic pregnancy. Her risk factors include: *. I explained the risks of death from internal bleeding from a ruptured ectopic pregnancy and the importance of immediate presentation to the ER due to the risk of death if the ectopic were to rupture. I explained how we will follow serial HCG levels and if they are doubling in 48 hours it may mean she has a normal early pregnancy, if they rise slowly- this may mean she has an ectopic pregnancy, if they fall then the pregnancy is miscarrying (whether it is in the tube or in the uterus).\n\nWe discussed treatment options of ectopic pregnancy which include expectant management (which carries the risk of death) versus medical management with methotrexate versus surgical treatment with laparoscopic salpingectomy. The risks, benefits and alternatives and indications of each treatment was discussed at length. Handouts regarding ectopic pregnancy, indications and side effects of methotrexate were given.