An ectopic pregnancy is one that is growing outside the uterus.
While normally the embryo grows inside the uterus, an ectopic pregnancy can be in the fallopian tube (where the egg and sperm meet), ovary, cervix, or the abdominal cavity (belly). Since ectopic pregnancies in the fallopian tube are much more common than in other locations, this sheet focuses on tubal pregnancy.
Symptoms
You MAY have a tubal pregnancy if you are pregnant AND have one or more of the following:
- Severe pain centered on one side of the abdomen or pelvis
- Lightheadedness, dizziness, or blackouts
- Abnormally low blood pressure
- Bleeding from the vagina may or may not be present
Medical Tests
The doctor may perform several tests to help confirm an ectopic pregnancy, since many of the symptoms can be confusing. Tubal pregnancy may be proved by a sonogram showing a baby outside the uterus or showing no baby in the uterus despite a large amount of pregnancy hormones in your blood. Direct observation of the fallopian tube during surgery may be necessary to make the diagnosis.
Causes
In most cases, the cause of tubal pregnancy is not known and there is nothing you could have done to prevent it. However, a woman is more likely to have a tubal pregnancy if she:
- Has had a previous ectopic pregnancy
- Has had an infection of the fallopian tubes or certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as gonorrhea or chlamydia
- Has had pelvic infection from an intrauterine device (IUD)
- Gets pregnant while an IUD is inside her uterus
If you suspect you may have a tubal pregnancy:
You should get medical treatment immediately from an obstetrician-gynecologist (a doctor specializing in female problems and pregnancy). If you do not already have that type of doctor, go to the emergency room of a nearby hospital. Tubal pregnancy is a medical emergency. Failure to get help may allow rapid bleeding into your abdomen from a ruptured internal organ, causing an occasional patient to die from shock (dangerously low blood pressure). Take the paperwork we provide and any insurance information with you.
Treatment
Typically, tubal pregnancy is diagnosed with a combination of the aforementioned tests. An embryo cannot survive outside the uterus and cannot be put back inside it. If left untreated, the fallopian tube can rupture and cause dangerous internal bleeding. To protect the woman’s life, the embryo, and perhaps the tube may need to be taken out. With some early tubal pregnancies medicine can be given to reabsorb the baby into the woman’s body without resorting to surgery.
