What is an ectopic pregnancy and how does it affect future fertility?
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants itself outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. This type of pregnancy is not viable and can be life-threatening for the person carrying the pregnancy if left untreated.
Most treatments for an ectopic pregnancy involve a laparoscopic surgery to remove the embryo from the fallopian tube before it ruptures. Sometimes, the surgeon may leave the fallopian tube intact, and sometimes they may need to remove the fallopian tube. They are often able to spare the ovary and the uterus to preserve future fertility, but not always, depending on the circumstances.
If you have experienced an ectopic pregnancy, you may wondering about your ability to conceive and carry a healthy pregnancy to term in the future. The good news is that many people go on to have healthy pregnancies and babies after an ectopic pregnancy. But, since having an ectopic pregnancy in the past may increase your chances of having another ectopic pregnancy in the future, any new pregnancy will be closely monitored by a medical provider to ensure that the embryo has implanted into the uterus and is growing healthfully.
Scar tissue and ectopic pregnancies
Laparoscopic surgery, though it is minimally invasive, still leaves scar tissue in the abdomen and pelvis. This scar tissue needs to be addressed sooner rather than later, because it can impact your ability to conceive and maintain a healthy pregnancy.
Here are some of the ways scar tissue from an ectopic pregnancy treatment can affect future fertility:
Scar tissue in the pelvic area can cause damage to the ovaries, which can lead to a decreased ovarian reserve and a lower number of viable eggs. This can make it more difficult to conceive, and may require medical intervention such as fertility drugs or assisted reproductive technologies.
Adhesions around the uterus: Scar tissue can also cause adhesions, or bands of tissue that can form between organs in the pelvic area. Adhesions around the uterus can affect its ability to move and expand during pregnancy, which can lead to complications such as as miscarriage, preterm labor, or fetal positioning that is not conducive to vaginal birth such as a transverse lie, or breech baby.
Blockages in the fallopian tubes: If the fallopain tube is left intact, scar tissue left behind can cause a hardening, or at worst, a blockage in the tube, which can prevent the egg from traveling from the ovary to the uterus. This can cause a subsequent ectopic pregnancy, or make it difficult or impossible to conceive naturally.
Addressing scar tissue to restore fertiltiy
After an ectopic pregnancy and laparoscopic treatment, most doctors will advise you to wait for a period of time before trying to get pregnant again. This is sage advice, but few doctors will go beyond “wait and rest” to give you practical tools to enhance healing. Reducing the ill-effects of scar tissue in the pelvis is a critical piece of care during this waiting period.
Here are a few things you can do to minimize the effects of scar tissue after an ectopic:
Pelvic Castor Oil Pack: Castor Oil is a thick, sticky oil that is commonly used for hair and nail health, but is also a secret weapon for combatting scar tissue. Castor oil’s key component is ricinoleic acid, which helps prevent scars from becoming hard and fibrotic. It helps improve blood and lymph circulation, and helps decrease inflammation. For a simple castor oil pack, youll need a high quality castor oil (cold-pressed, organic), a piece of organic/natural fiber cloth, and a heat source like a hot water bottle, rice pack, or heating pad. Apply several drops of castor oil to your low abdomen/pelvis area, favoring the side where the ectopic pregnancy was. Cover the oil with the cloth, then lay the heat source on top. Let the heat help the oil sink into your tissues for 15-40 minutes.
Mercier Therapy: Mercier Therapy is a deep, organ-level massage that can help break down adhesions caused by scar tissue, and help restore fertility. After any orthopedic surgery, physical therapy is part of the healing and post-op recovery. Why do we treat abdominal surgeries differently? Manual work on the soft tissue of the pelvis and abdomen is critical to restoring movement and blood flow to the reproductive organs, and helps prevent fibrosis and adhesions that can make conception, pregnancy, and birth challenging. Click here to learn more about Mercier Therapy.
Stretching: Scar tissue can cause adhesions and restrictions throughout the pelvic area that can limit mobility and flexibility. Similarly, mobilization and stretching can help counteract the tension caused by these adhesions. Gentle stretching of the hips and groin can be a supportive way to maintain fluidity and health of the pelvis and reproductive tissues.
Having an ectopic pregnancy can be a challenging, distressing experience. Especially in the case of a wanted pregnancy, it can leave you feeling sad, hopeless, and fearful. In some cases, it could change the whole trajectory of your fertility journey. You may have to shift course from natural conception to assisted reproductive technologies like In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). But with a few simple tools in your hand, you can take control of your healing process, and support your body’s natural inclination toward health. You can help avoid further medical interventions and improve your chances of a natural conception. Supporting healing with gentle movement, massage, and self-care practices can vastly improve your outlook and your chances of becoming pregnant again with a viable, healthy pregnancy.