A Tragedy Close to Home

Released: Friday, February 26, 2010

By Mrs. Devin Muller

Unexpectedly and tragically, I recently lost a very dear friend of mine.  Sarah Jean Bassola-Healy passed away unexpectedly on February 1^st from an ectopic pregnancy.  Sarah was 26 years old. Sarah lit up a room with her smile and made friends where ever she went.  She was devoted, loving, generous and an all around fun person.  You could always count on Sarah for a good laugh or an intimate conversation.  She never complained and had a great time where ever she went.  Sarah could charm a room of socialites and later whoop it up at the local bar playing trivia.  Sarah will truly be missed by many.

 Sarah’s ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that develops in the fallopian tube or organ other then the uterus) went undiagnosed.  She was unaware that she was even pregnant.  Sarah experienced all of the symptoms that come along with this type of pregnancy but chalked it up as many of us do to monthly discomfort, stress and the usual aches and pains.  She did continue to menstruate monthly thus ruling out pregnancy in her mind.  She had cramping, nausea and fatigue, all of which many of us experience on a daily basis being hard working women. 

Sarah had recently moved into the new house she purchased and personally renovated.  Needless to say, she was exerting herself.  Sarah explained and rationalized any pain she was having as a pulled or sore muscle from moving.  Sarah was approximately 12 weeks pregnant.  Eventually, the embryo grew too large and caused her internal organ to rupture.  Sarah died of internal bleeding.

Ectopic pregnancies occur in 1 in every 40 to 1 in every 100 pregnancies.  The symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy usually cause the same symptoms as a normal pregnancy, such as a missed menstrual period, fatigue, nausea, and sore breasts.   The key sign of an ectopic pregnancy is pelvic or belly pain. It may be sharp on one side at first and then spread through your belly. It may be worse when you move or strain. Vaginal bleeding or spotting is another symptom. If you think you may be pregnant and you have these symptoms, please go see your doctor right away.

Ectopic pregnancy is not necessarily preventable however some individuals may have an increased risk.

- Smoking. The more you smoke, the higher your risk of an ectopic pregnancy.

- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). This is often the result of an infection such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.

- Use of an intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control

- Previous ectopic pregnancy

- Endometriosis, which can cause scar tissue in or around the fallopian tubes.

-Being exposed to the chemical DES before you were born.

- Fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization.

Even some medical treatments can increase your risk of ectopic pregnancy including surgery on the fallopian tubes or in the pelvic area.  If you are not feeling “right” or are feeling “off” and you experience any of these symptoms, it never hurts to get checked out.

Roughly 2% of all reported pregnancies are ectopic and can cause internal injury and fertility problems. The most common complication is rupture with internal bleeding that leads to shock. Death from rupture is rare in women who have access to modern medical facilities. Infertility occurs in 10 - 15% of women who have had an ectopic pregnancy.

Although most ectopic pregnancies do not end in death as in the case of Sarah, it can pose severe problems and complications.