Warning of surge in pregnancy loss caused by silent threat – 5 red flags to save mum’s life, from shoulder to tummy pain

Credit: Galina Zhigalova WOMEN are increasingly being hospitalised with a form of pregnancy loss, data suggests. Hospital admissions in England for ectopic pregnancy have risen by 4 per cent every year since 2021, a study has found. HOSPITAL admissions for pregnancy loss have risen by 4 per cent every year since 2021, a study has found Credit: Getty An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilised egg implants itself outside of the womb Credit: Getty Researchers from the University of Liverpool analysed 20 years worth of NHS England data on this topic – the first time this has ever been done. Looking at data from hospital and maternity services from 2004 to 2024, they identified that ectopic pregnancy admissions rose significantly between 2004 and 2012, with an average increase of around 3 per cent each year. Sign up for the Health newsletter Thank you! The numbers stabilised between 2012 and 2021 before rising sharply again after 2021 with an average increase of over 4 per cent every year, researchers observed. Authors of the study – published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe – suggested that this increase may reflect demographic changes such as rising maternal age. They said other factors for this increase could include increased rates of risk factors such as obesity and disruption to hospitals and maternity services due to Covid. Hospital admissions were more than twice as high in the most deprived areas compared with the least. Commenting on the study, Dr Nicola Tempest, academic clinical lecturer from Liverpool University’s Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, said: “Pregnancy loss affects millions of women worldwide, yet we know surprisingly little about how its prevalence and impact has changed over time. “Our research shows that admissions for ectopic pregnancy have continued to rise despite declining birth rates, highlighting an ongoing demand for NHS services. Most read in Health “Women from the most deprived areas consistently experienced much higher admission rates for both miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy, underlining persistent health inequalities.” In an ectopic pregnancy, a fertilised egg usually implants in one of the fallopian tubes, which are the tubes connecting the ovaries to the womb. If this happens, the egg won’t develop into a baby and the mum’s health may be at risk if the pregnancy continues. Ectopic pregnancy is one of the most common early pregnancy complications with an estimated 11,000 hospital admissions annually – that’s around one in every 90 pregnancies. The fertilised egg usually has to be removed using medicine or an operation, according to the NHS. An ectopic pregnancy doesn’t always cause symptoms and may sometimes only be detected during a routine pregnancy scan. If you do experience symptoms, these tend to develop between the 4th and 12th week of pregnancy. Symptoms can include a missed period, tummy pain low down on one side, vaginal bleeding or a brown watery discharge, pain in the tip of your shoulder and discomfort when peeing or pooing. Ectopic pregnancy is one of the most common early pregnancy complications Credit: Getty The 5 main symptoms of ectopic pregnancy An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilised egg implants itself outside of the womb, usually in one of the fallopian tubes. The fallopian tubes are the tubes connecting the ovaries to the womb. If an egg gets stuck in them, it won’t develop into a baby and your health may be at risk if the pregnancy continues. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to save the pregnancy. It usually has to be removed using medicine or an operation. In the UK, around 1 in every 90 pregnancies is ectopic. This is around 11,000 pregnancies a year. What are the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy? An ectopic pregnancy doesn’t always cause symptoms and may only be detected during a routine pregnancy scan. If you do have symptoms, they tend to develop between the 4th and 12th week of pregnancy. Symptoms can include a combination of: A missed period and other signs of pregnancy Tummy pain low down on one side Vaginal bleeding or a brown watery discharge Pain in the tip of your shoulder Discomfort when peeing or pooing But these symptoms aren’t necessarily a sign of a serious problem. They can sometimes be caused by other problems, such as a stomach bug. Source: NHS Dr Tempest continued: “Pregnancy loss should be recognised as a major women’s health research priority so we can better understand its causes and develop services that meet women’s needs and address the risk factors that are contributing to these rates. “Importantly, research must address one of the most common and deeply personal questions women ask after pregnancy loss: ‘Why did this happen to me?'” Dr Tempest adds: “These findings show that where a woman lives continues to have a profound influence on her reproductive health outcomes. “Ultimately, reducing these inequalities will require an equity-focused approach that combines high-quality clinical care with prevention, education and services designed around the needs of the communities most at risk. “Behind every admission for pregnancy loss, there is a woman, a family and an unanswered question, our aim and mission is not only to improve the care but also to understand and prevent it.” It comes after an investigation last month revealed that more than 500 babies and mums were harmed or died during at least a decade of poor NHS care in Nottingham. 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