Pregnancy Diagnosis (~12 weeks)

When you become pregnant, the positive result on the pregnancy test will appear in the first few weeks after delayed menstruation. Along with this proof, when you do not have any unusual symptoms, please visit our clinic 3 weeks after the expected day of menstruation. If you have the symptoms, however, such as abdominal cramping, bleeding or feeling anxious, please visit our clinic soon after you find.
*The proof of the pregnancy test might include the possibilities of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
*Pregnancy Screening and Prenatal Checkup is not given at our clinic.

Fee: 11,860 yen

PREGNANCY

Pregnancy is not a disease. When the woman becomes pregnant there will be some changes in the physical condition of the body. Please read carefully the lines above to get familiar with these changes.

★ectopic pregnancy ★

Ectopic pregnancy can be also called misplaced pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy occurs in about 1 in 100 pregnancies. Although many ectopic pregnancies are now treated without the need for an operation, you should always see a doctor urgently if you think you have an ectopic pregnancy. Symptoms include lower abdominal pain what can become severe. A ruptured, ectopic pregnancy is life-threatening, needing emergency surgery.

Understanding normal early pregnancy

An ovum (egg) is released from an ovary into a Fallopian tube. This is called ovulation and usually occurs once a month about halfway between periods. Sperm can survive in the Fallopian tubes for up to five days after having sex. A sperm may then combine with the ovum (fertilization) to make an embryo. The tiny embryo is swept along a Fallopian tube to the uterus by tiny hairs (cilia). It normally attaches to the inside lining of the uterus and develops into a baby.

Where does an ectopic pregnancy develop?

Most ectopic pregnancies occur when a fertilized egg attaches to the inside lining of a Fallopian tube (a tubal ectopic). Rarely, an ectopic pregnancy occurs in other places such as in the ovary or inside the abdomen. The rest of this leaflet deals only with tubal ectopic pregnancy.

What are the problems with an ectopic pregnancy?

A tubal ectopic pregnancy never survives. Possible outcomes include the following:

• The pregnancy often dies after a few days. About half of ectopic pregnancies probably end like this. You may have no symptoms, and you may never have known that you were pregnant. Sometimes there is slight pain and some vaginal bleeding like a miscarriage. Nothing further needs to be done if this occurs.
• The pregnancy may grow for a while in the narrow Fallopian tube. This can stretch the tube and cause symptoms. This is when an ectopic pregnancy is commonly diagnosed.
• The narrow Fallopian tube can only stretch a little. If the pregnancy grows further it will normally rupture (split) the Fallopian tube. This can cause heavy internal bleeding and pain. This is a medical emergency.

What are the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy?

Symptoms typically develop around the 6th week of pregnancy. This is about two weeks after a missed period if you have regular periods. However, symptoms may develop at any time between 4 and 10 weeks of pregnancy. You may not be aware that you are pregnant. For example, your periods may not be regular, or you may be using contraception and not realize it has failed. Symptoms can also start about the time a period is due. At first you may think the symptoms are just a late period. 

Symptoms include one or more of the following.

• Pain on one side of the lower abdomen. It may develop sharply, or may slowly get worse over several days. It can become severe.
• Vaginal bleeding often occurs, but not always. It is often different to the bleeding of a period. For example, the bleeding may be heavier or lighter than a normal period. The blood may look darker. However, you may think the bleeding is a late period.
• Other symptoms may occur such as diarrhea, feeling faint, or pain on passing faces (stools).
• Shoulder-tip pain may develop. This is due to some blood leaking into the abdomen and irritating the diaphragm (the muscle used to breathe).
• If the Fallopian tube ruptures and causes internal bleeding, you may develop severe pain or 'collapse'. This is an emergency as the bleeding is heavy.

★Morning sickness ★

Morning sickness also called pregnancy sickness is a condition that effects more than half of all pregnant women. Sometimes it is present in the early hours of the morning when the stomach is empty and reduces as the day progresses. The vomiting may cause dehydration, weight loss that is why it is highly recommended to carry some sweets such biscuits and some water if you go out. Nausea and vomiting can be one of the first sign of pregnancy and usually begins around the 6th week of pregnancy, and for most of the women it may stop around the 12th week of pregnancy. 

★Abortion ★

Miscarriage or spontaneous abortion is the spontaneous end of a pregnancy at a stage where the embryo or fetus is incapable of surviving independently, prior to 20 weeks of gestation. Miscarriages occur 10 to 15% of all pregnancies.

★Bleeding ★

Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy does not have one single cause, and sometimes the specific cause cannot be determined.
About 10 to 14 days after fertilization the egg implants into the lining of the

uterus and causes spotting. This type of bleeding is slight and lighter in color than a regular period, and should only last a day or two. Not all women will have implantation bleeding. Excessive bleeding, especially if you are having pain, please contact our clinic immediately.

★Lower abdominal pain ★

Lower abdominal pain can be caused by rapid expansion of the uterus and stretching of ligaments such as the round ligament.

If you notice any unusual pain what is gradually becoming stronger and also bleeding occurs please do not hesitate to contact our clinic immediately.