Ectopic Pregnancy

What is an ectopic pregnancy?

From: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

The uterus, or womb, is the place where a fetus grows during pregnancy. In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg grows in the wrong place outside the uterus. It usually occurs in the fallopian tubes. These tubes carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. Sometimes, an ectopic pregnancy can occur in the ovaries, abdominal cavity, or the lower part of the uterus (cervix).

Ectopic pregnancies can't end in a healthy pregnancy because the egg cannot grow. If the pregnancy continues, the fallopian tube can burst. This can cause internal bleeding, which can be a life-threatening emergency that needs immediate surgery.

What increases my risk of an ectopic pregnancy?

From: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

An ectopic pregnancy often happens because there is a problem with your fallopian tubes. But sometimes it's not clear why an ectopic pregnancy happens.

Factors that may increase your risk for an ectopic pregnancy can include:

Other factors that may increase your risk can include:

• Previous ectopic pregnancy
• Prior pelvic, abdominal, or fallopian tube surgery
• Certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Endometriosis
• Becoming pregnant while using an intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control
• Becoming pregnant after a tubal ligation
• Smoking
• Being older than age 35
• Infertility treatments

What are the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy?

From: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

You may not notice any symptoms at first. Or you may have some of the usual signs of pregnancy such as a missed period, breast tenderness, or nausea.

Early signs of an ectopic pregnancy may be light vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain. Ectopic pregnancy can be a medical emergency. Get medical care right away if you have these signs:

• Abdominal (belly) pain
• Shoulder pain
• Vaginal bleeding
• Feeling dizzy or faint

How is an ectopic pregnancy diagnosed?

From: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

An ectopic pregnancy can't be diagnosed without blood tests and an ultrasound. Your health care provider will do a pregnancy test to confirm that you're pregnant. They may do a pelvic exam to check for areas of pain, tenderness, or a mass.

What is the treatment for an ectopic pregnancy?

From: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

An ectopic pregnancy needs treatment to stop any damage to your organs. Your provider will use medicine or surgery to take out the ectopic tissue.

Losing a pregnancy can be devastating. An ectopic pregnancy is like a miscarriage, but it must be treated to prevent problems. People cope with grief in different ways. It may be helpful to discuss your feelings with your provider or a counselor. Many women who have had ectopic pregnancies go on to have healthy pregnancies later.

Dept. of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health

Understanding terms used in the source

These definitions explain medical words used above. A definition is not evidence that another condition is present, and it does not predict how a symptom will develop. Ask the clinician which terms apply to the actual examination or test result.

Ectopic pregnancy

A pregnancy in which the fertilized egg inserts in a location outside of the main cavity of the uterus (usually in the Fallopian tube).

Shoulder pain

An unpleasant sensation characterized by physical discomfort (such as pricking, throbbing, or aching) localized to the shoulder.

Miscarriage

A pregnancy that ends at a stage in which the fetus is incapable of surviving on its own, defined as the spontaneous loss of a fetus before the 22th week of pregnancy.

Pelvic pain

Pain perceived in the area of the pelvis, the lower part of the abdomen located between the hip bones.

Healthy

No history of any serious disease, including the disease being investigated in the proband.

Which doctor should you see?

The suggested department for discussing Ectopic Pregnancy is Obstetrics and Gynaecology, with a obstetrician-gynaecologist as the relevant type of clinician. Emergency department now if this condition is suspected or newly occurring.

This is an editorial referral starting point. The appropriate clinic depends on the person’s age, symptoms, previous diagnosis and local services. The first clinician can decide whether another specialty or a team is needed; a department label does not confirm the diagnosis.

How to prepare for an assessment

Bring a short timeline of the main symptoms: when they first appeared, whether they are constant or episodic, what seems to change them, and how they affect daily activities. Include previous reports, discharge summaries, current medicines and supplements, allergies, and any relevant family history. A dated record is more useful than trying to match every feature in an online article.

Ask the clinician what is already established and what remains uncertain. If a test is suggested, ask what question it answers, what its limitations are and how the result would change the next step. The information here is not an instruction to arrange every possible test. In children, bring growth, developmental and school information if it is relevant to the concern.

• How do age, pregnancy status and reproductive goals affect the assessment?
• Which changes in bleeding, pain or general health need prompt review?
• What are the benefits and risks of the available options in this situation?

Treatment discussions and follow-up

Where the source describes treatments, these are an overview of possible care, not a prescription for an individual. Ask which option applies to the confirmed diagnosis, what benefit is expected, what adverse effects to watch for and how progress will be assessed. Availability, approvals and local practice can differ from the country described in the source.

Before leaving the appointment, clarify the next review date, who will communicate results, and whom to contact if the situation changes. Discuss difficulties with sleep, work, school, mobility, eating or emotional wellbeing when these are relevant. Practical support may require coordination between the treating clinician and other services.

When to seek emergency help

If this acute condition is suspected or the person is acutely unwell, seek urgent emergency assessment rather than waiting for a routine specialist appointment. Severe breathing difficulty, collapse, new stroke-like symptoms, a seizure that is prolonged or repeated without recovery, uncontrolled major bleeding, or an immediate risk of self-harm require emergency help. In India, call 112 or reach the nearest emergency department. This is a general, non-exhaustive warning list; it is not a condition-specific triage tool.