Ectopic Pregnancy

In most cases a woman's egg is fertilized by a man's sperm in one of her fallopian tubes. The fertilized egg then moves through the tube to the lining of the uterus, where it implants and starts to grow. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg grows outside of the uterus.

About Ectopic Pregnancy
Almost all ectopic pregnancies occur in a fallopian tube. Rarely, it will attach to an ovary or another organ in the abdomen.

Who Is at Risk?
Any sexually active woman of childbearing age is at risk for ectopic pregnancy. Today, about one in 50 pregnancies is ectopic.

Symptoms and Diagnosis
The symptoms of ectopic pregnancy sometimes include the symptoms of pregnancy, such as tender breasts or an upset stomach. Some women may have no symptoms at all. They may not even know they are pregnant. If ectopic pregnancy can be found early, it can be treated before the tube bursts. Symptoms may include:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding.
  
• Abdominal or pelvic pain.
  
• Shoulder pain.
  
• Weakness, dizziness or fainting

Tests to find ectopic pregnancy take time. Results may not be clear right away. Tests may need to be repeated. If your doctor suspects that you have an ectopic pregnancy that has ruptured, however, it is an emergency. You will need to have surgery right away.

Treatment
There are two methods used to treat an ectopic pregnancy: medication and surgery.

Medication
If the pregnancy is small and has not ruptured, sometimes drugs can be used instead of surgery to treat ectopic pregnancy. Medication stops the growth of the pregnancy and permits the body to absorb it over time. It allows a woman to keep her tube.

Surgery
If the pregnancy is small and the tube is not ruptured, in some cases the pregnancy can be removed through a small cut made in the tube during a laparoscopy.

If your tube bursts, you will have bleeding inside the abdomen. The bleeding may be heavy. Bleeding needs to be stopped promptly, and emergency surgery is needed. If little damage has been done to the tube, the doctor may try to repair it. But in many cases a ruptured tube must be removed.

After an Ectopic Pregnancy
Emotional healing after a pregnancy loss is as vital as physical healing. Grieving helps you to deal with this painful loss. Allow enough time for physical and emotional healing before trying to get pregnant again.

Finally …
Although an ectopic pregnancy can threaten your health and well-being, prompt treatment and follow-up care can help prevent complications. If you have any of the symptoms of ectopic pregnancy, see your doctor for treatment.

This excerpt from ACOG's Patient Education Pamphlet is provided for your information. It is not medical advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for visiting your doctor. If you need medical care, have any questions, or wish to receive the full text of this Patient Education Pamphlet, please contact your obstetrician-gynecologist.

To ensure the information is current and accurate, ACOG titles are reviewed every 18 months.