An ectopic pregnancy happens when the fertilized egg implants itself outside of the uterus. It’s almost impossible for a baby to grow outside of the uterus, and an embryo cannot be moved once it’s chosen the wrong location – which is, most commonly, your fallopian tube. Keeping an ectopic pregnancy leads to life-threatening bleeding and potentially loss of future fertility.
How does an ectopic pregnancy happen?
Normally, an egg is fertilized in the fallopian tube and then travels down the tube to the uterus (womb). When in the uterus, it implants itself into the uterine wall, where it will grow for the next 40 weeks. However, some embryos make a wrong turn and implant in the fallopian tube, ovary or inside your abdomen.
Are there symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy?
Early symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are the same as those of a normal pregnancy. You may have morning sickness and sore breasts, and you’ll have a positive urine or blood test.
If you have increasing pelvic or abdominal pain (often only on one side), bleeding, and weakness or dizziness, this may be an indication of an ectopic pregnancy. Another hallmark of an ectopic pregnancy is pain in the shoulder blades. If you have these symptoms, it’s important to get medical help immediately.
What happens next?
An ectopic pregnancy in the fallopian tube may also damage the tube, cause internal bleeding and require surgery. When an ectopic pregnancy is found early enough, a medication called methotrexate can end the pregnancy before the tube ruptures. This approach requires careful monitoring of your pregnancy hormone levels in the weeks after treatment.
If the methotrexate injection was not successful, or the pregnancy was advanced, doctors perform surgery to remove the pregnancy and attempt to repair any damage. Doctors may have to remove the fallopian tube, in some cases, which may negatively impact future fertility. Some people have so much bleeding they may require a longer hospital stay and blood transfusions. Getting care as soon as any symptoms appear, and certainly as soon as the diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy is made – is crucial. We acknowledge that abortion bans in some states have made this extremely complex and delayed care in some cases, despite the medical consensus that this is a life-threatening emergency.
Getting pregnant again.
Having a previous ectopic pregnancy can make conceiving again more difficult if a tube was removed or other major surgery took place. Additionally, those who experience an ectopic pregnancy are at an increased risk for another in the future. Your OB provider will be able to discuss the risks and benefits of when to try again when you’re ready. Just as with any pregnancy loss, trying again can be much more complex after experiencing an ectopic. Counseling and talking to those you trust can help you feel supported and process this traumatic experience.
Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team
Read more
Sources
- “Ectopic Pregnancy: FAQ 155.” ACOG. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 8/11/2015. Web.
- “Ectopic Pregnancy.” U.S National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus, 2/24/2014. Web.
