A pregnancy outside the uterus - usually in the fallopian tube.
Risk factors
Birth defect in the fallopian tubes
Scarring after a ruptured appendix
Endometriosis
Having had an ectopic pregnancy in the past
Scarring from past infections or surgery of the female organs
Age over 35
Getting pregnant while having an intrauterine device (IUD)
Having your tubes tied
Having had surgery to untie tubes to become pregnant
Having had many sexual partners
Sexually transmitted infections (STI)
Some infertility treatments
Symptoms
Abnormal vaginal bleeding
Mild cramping on one side of the pelvis
No periods
Pain in the lower belly or pelvic area
If the area around the abnormal pregnancy ruptures and bleeds, symptoms may get worse. They may include:
Fainting or feeling faint
Intense pressure in the rectum
Low blood pressure
Pain in the shoulder area
Severe, sharp, and sudden pain in the lower abdomen
Exams and Tests
A pregnancy test and vaginal ultrasound will be done.
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone that is produced during pregnancy. Checking the blood level of this hormone can detect pregnancy.
When hCG levels are above a certain value, a pregnancy sac in the uterus should be seen with ultrasound.
If the sac is not seen, this may indicate that an ectopic pregnancy is present.
Treatment
Ectopic pregnancy is life-threatening. The pregnancy cannot continue to birth (term). The developing cells must be removed to save the mother's life.
If the ectopic pregnancy has not ruptured, treatment may include:
Surgery
Medicine that ends the pregnancy
You will need emergency medical help if the area of the ectopic pregnancy breaks open (ruptures). Rupture can lead to bleeding and shock. If there is a rupture, surgery is done to stop blood loss and remove the pregnancy. In some cases, the doctor may have to remove the fallopian tube.
Outlook (Prognosis) One out of three women who have had one ectopic pregnancy can have a baby in the future. Another ectopic pregnancy is more likely to occur. Some women do not become pregnant again.
The likelihood of a successful pregnancy after an ectopic pregnancy depends on:
The woman's age
Whether she has already had children
Why the first ectopic pregnancy occurred
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