Diagnostic Delays and Delays in Diagnosis
What is ectopic pregnancy?
Ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilized egg attaches and develops outside of the uterine cavity, where it would normally develop. Instead, the egg attaches and develops onto the fallopian tube, which follows outside of the uterus (Mayo Clinic, 2022). This usually occurs when an egg gets stuck in the fallopian tube on its way to the uterus.
Signs and Symptoms
During an ectopic pregnancy, you may still have positive pregnancy results upon taking a pregnancy test, but it is considered unsafe to carry out these pregnancies as normal. There may be slight bleeding (spotting) in early phases, which can lead to shoulder pain or the urge to have a bowel movement. If not detected soon enough, the improperly implanted egg can cause the fallopian tube to rupture, which can result in severe bleeding and abdominal/pelvic pain (Mayo Clinic, 2022).
Management and Treatment During Pregnancy
It is essential that your provider confirm placement of the fertilized egg via ultrasound imaging. This can help the provider to visualize the egg. Lower human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) blood levels may also be indicative of an ectopic pregnancy, being that HCG levels are much higher once the egg has been implanted in the uterus (Cleveland Clinic, 2023).
Once placement has been confirmed, treatment must be initiated immediately. This is considered a medical emergency. Your provider may recommend medications, such as Methotrexate, to stop the egg from growing and to terminate the pregnancy, or surgical removal of the egg may need to be performed (Cleveland Clinic, 2023). The failure to properly image the patient, and promptly diagnose this condition can result in the loss of the tube or worse.
What can happen if there is substandard care and the proper detection and management is not provided?
Substandard care in ectopic pregnancies can have fatal results. Failure to quickly diagnose ectopic pregnancy can lead to the rupture of the fallopian tube, which can cause severe hemorrhaging, infection, or death. It is essential to confirm placement of the fertilized egg early in pregnancy to provide adequate and timely treatment as may be necessary. This is considered to be a medical emergency and must be handled promptly.
At the Law Offices of Judy Greenwood, PC we have handled cases of diagnostic delays in the detection of ectopic pregnancies and the effects that the medical failures have had on the women who have been harmed by the diagnostic failures.
References
Ectopic pregnancy: What is it?. Cleveland Clinic. (2023, January 18).
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9687-ectopic-pregnancy
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022a, March 12). Ectopic pregnancy.
Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/symptoms-causes/syc-20372088
