Episode 178--Ectopic Pregnancy

Intro: Hello, and welcome to episode 178 of the Childless Not by Choice Podcast. My name is Civilla Morgan. My mission is to recognize and speak to childless women and men worldwide, reminding us that we can live joyful, relevant, and fulfilled lives.  And whether you have children or not, thank you for tuning in!     What is today's show about? Ectopic Pregnancies     I have not forgotten that this podcast is about childlessness. Indeed, being childless not by choice. And we all know there are many reasons for childlessness, including medical issues such as endometriosis, fibroids, adenomyosis, miscarriage, PCOS, and so many other physical and physiological issues.  Trauma, both physical and emotional, can be a cause. Being born without a uterus, which I have discussed on this podcast before. I will put a link to that interview in the show notes for this episode. And then just the unknown, also known as idiopathic infertility.    I want to talk about ectopic pregnancy because I have never discussed it. But let's step back a little. Let's talk about the uterus. And I realize I am speaking to the choir here. I think most of you know what a uterus is and what it does. So let me say this in one or two sentences: The uterus is where a baby grows once the sperm fertilizes the egg. So if the egg, sperm, and fertilization end up anywhere outside of the uterus, the pregnancy will not thrive. In fact, the pregnancy will not go to term. And most times that ending up outside the uterus means the components I just mentioned: the sperm and egg, end up in the fallopian tubes. It's like driving down a highway, the fallopian tubes. You are supposed to end up at a destination, the uterus, but you get stuck on the highway instead. And sometimes getting stuck on the highway can cause irreparable damage. Meaning the possibility of no future natural pregnancies.  Although we have two fallopian tubes, so if one is affected by an ectopic pregnancy, if the other one is healthy, a viable pregnancy is possible.   The risk of an ectopic pregnancy is 1-2%.  It sounds like a small percentage, but a percentage is a percentage, isn't it? It's small until it happens to you.     And human physiology is not something that can be contested. In other words, there is no way to have a baby successfully grow outside of the womb, the uterus. And again, I know I don't need to say this, but I am not referring to other types of creating pregnancy, like the gift of a successful IVF. I am talking about how a pregnancy starts biologically, and the only way it can continue.   So, ectopic pregnancies.  'An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, typically in the fallopian tube.'--AI.  Ectopic pregnancies are often caused by damaged fallopian tubes, which prevent a fertilized egg from reaching the uterus, leading it to implant and grow elsewhere.  Risk factors for tubal damage and subsequent ectopic pregnancies include  pelvic inflammatory disease (PID),  endometriosis,  Previous abdominal pelvic surgery  Smoking.  Other risk factors include conception while using an intrauterine device (IUD)  After a tubal ligation (sterilization), Ongoing fertility treatments.   Age: Being older than age 35 can also be a risk factor.    I want to stop here and note that an ectopic pregnancy can be very dangerous. It is suggested that if you believe or have been diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy, you should see your physician immediately.  Symptoms:  Vaginal bleeding or spotting Abdominal pain, often one-sided Shoulder pain Nausea and vomiting Dizziness or fainting    Now, the good news in all of this is that the chances of a successful pregnancy after an ectopic pregnancy are good, ranging from 65 to 85%, especially as time goes on. Meaning if you get pregnant again in 18 months, a successful pregnancy is 65% likely. In two years, it is 85% likely.    I will say again, if we have arrived at the fact that we will not be having children. Maybe we have already had the hysterectomy. Maybe we have stopped IVF. We have just come to terms and decided to move on with our lives as childless not by choice people. That's what this podcast was created to address. But I also believe it is important to know more than our own journey. And that if we ever want to discuss more than our own journey, we are in the know. We can intelligently discuss as much or as little as we would like.  Knowledge allows us to have the ball in our court.    Maybe you have a family member or friend who is or has suffered from an ectopic pregnancy. Maybe you have, and then the pregnancy never happened for you. Either way, this is a slice of knowledge.  And I hope it was helpful.   As I close out this episode, I want to remind you that we are approaching our final episodes.  It is a bittersweet feeling, as I have said before. But I know I am doing the right thing. I am feeling a shift and I need to go along with that shift. I will keep the Facebook group open, I will keep the website up and running. And in fact, I may now find time to refresh the website. www.childlessnotbychoice.net.   Usually I go on hiatus for October and November. I have decided to do an October episode, and hiatus for November only. Back in December with a final episode.  Any questions, please feel free to reach out. My contact information is in the show notes, at the very end.      Useful links: https://childlessnotbychoice.net/episode-86-longing-for-motherhood-holding-onto-hope-in-the-midst-of-childlessness-my-interview-with-chelsea-patterson-sobolik/      Research links: AI  My contact information: Website: www.childlessnotbychoice.net and www.civillamorgan.com Facebook: booksbycivillamorgan Instagram: @joyandrelevance Pinterest: Civilla M. Morgan, MSM LinkedIn: Civilla Morgan, MSM Thank you for listening to this episode of Childless not by Choice!  Until next time! Bye!