An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilised egg implants itself outside of the womb, usually in one of the fallopian tubes. This means the embryo will not be able to develop into a baby as the fallopian tube is not large enough to support the growing embryo, which can be devastating to the pregnant woman.
An ectopic pregnancy is not a viable pregnancy as there is no way to move the embryo while all steps are taken to preserve your future fertility, removing an ectopic pregnancy does also require removing the fallopian tube in many cases. It is an extremely serious and potentially life-threatening condition that needs urgent attention due to the risk of rupture of the fallopian tube if left. Ectopic pregnancies present very early in pregnancy - usually by 8 weeks -and treatment options vary depending on the condition of the fallopian tube and the age of the embryo.
Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy
- Moderate to severe pain starting on one side of your abdomen - this may eventually spread across your entire abdomen
- Light to heavy bleeding
- Fainting, dizziness and weakness
- Bowel pain - you may experience pain when passing urine or stools.
- Diarrhoea and vomiting - an ectopic pregnancy can cause similar symptoms to a gastrointestinal disease and is often associated with diarrhoea and vomiting.
Causes of an ectopic pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancies can be caused by damage to the fallopian tube (thereby slowing the passage of the egg from the ovary to the uterus) - the most common causes of this are Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and Endometriosis, or scar tissue from previous surgery.
Treatment of an ectopic pregnancy
After diagnosis - which usually involves a blood test, an ultrasound and a possible laproscope - there are two options available depending on your particular circumstances.
- Medication - if the pregnancy is early and the fallopian tube is in good condition, an injection of methotrexate will be administered to stop the growth of the embryo
- Surgery - the embryo is removed using laproscopy (key-hole
surgery) and any damage to organs is repaired.
Why does an ectopic pregnancy happen?
In a normal pregnancy an egg is fertilised by sperm in one of the fallopian tubes, which connect the ovaries to the womb. The fertilised egg then moves into the womb and implants itself into the womb lining (endometrium), where it grows and develops.
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilised egg implants itself outside the womb. It most commonly occurs in a fallopian tube (this is known as a tubal pregnancy), usually as the result of damage to the fallopian tube or the tube not working properly.
Less commonly (in around 2 in 100 cases), an ectopic pregnancy can occur in an ovary, in the abdominal space or in the cervix (neck of the womb).
Things that increase your risk of ectopic pregnancy include:
- pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) - an infection of the female reproductive system, typically caused by chlamydia
- smoking
- having a previous history of ectopic pregnancies.
The loss of your pregnancy at any stage can have a huge impact on you and your partner. One day you are pregnant and planning your future life with your child, and then within a short time, your pregnancy ends. The ending of an ectopic pregnancy is a form of miscarriage – and the feelings that a woman and her partner may experience can be similarly difficult. It is not uncommon for feelings of grief and bereavement to last for 6-12 months, although these feelings usually improve with time.
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