Expert: Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based - 9/11/2008

Question
I just had surgery b/c of an ectopic pregnancy.  I apparently became pregnant the same week of my surgery for breast augmentation.  I'm wondering if this surgery and anesthesia could have caused the ectopic pregnancy?  Thanks so much, really wanting answers!

Answer
Hi there
Ectopic preganancy is where the egg you have produced is fertilised outside the womb (uterus) usually in one of the tubes (fallopian tubes) that are resposnible for transferring the egg from the ovary to the womb.
This can happen for various reasons but often is due to the egg being held up or delayed in the tube due to slight blockages. The sperm manages to get through and fertilises the egg after which it quickly goes into a phase where it implants itself to the local tissue. This is meant to happen in the uterus.
My answer has to be that surgery and anaesthesia are unlikely to have contributed to this and other reasons are much more likely.
I hope you are recovering OK and I am sorry to hear you had this problem. I wish you all the best for the future.
Kind regards
Dr Ian Jackson