Ectopic Pregnancy
Source: MedlinePlus Health Topics, U.S. National Library of Medicine
What is an ectopic pregnancy? 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? 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: 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 Other factors that may increase your risk can include: Smoking Being older than age 35 Infertility treatments What are the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy? 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? 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 pelv