What is Ectopic Pregnancy and Are You at Risk?
A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia.
Ectopic pregnancyTubal pregnancy; Cervical pregnancy; Abdominal pregnancyLast reviewed: February 21, 2010.
An ectopic pregnancy is an abnormal pregnancy that occurs outside the womb (uterus). The baby (fetus) cannot survive, and often does not develop at all in this type of pregnancy.
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsAn ectopic pregnancy occurs when a pregnancy starts outside the womb (uterus). The most common site for an ectopic pregnancy is within one of the tubes through which the egg passes from the ovary to the uterus (fallopian tube). However, in rare cases, ectopic pregnancies can occur in the ovary, stomach area, or cervix.
An ectopic pregnancy is often caused by a condition that blocks or slows the movement of a fertilized egg through the fallopian tube to the uterus. This may be caused by a physical blockage in the tube by hormonal factors and by other factors, such as smoking.
Most cases of scarring are caused by:
Some ectopic pregnancies can be due to:
Sometimes, a woman will become pregnant after having her tubes tied (tubal sterilization). Ectopic pregnancies are more likely to occur 2 or more years after the procedure, rather than right after it. In the first year after sterilization, only about 6% of pregnancies will be ectopic, but most pregnancies that occur 2 - 3 years after tubal sterilization will be ectopic.
Ectopic pregnancy is also more likely in women who have:
Symptoms
Signs and testsThe health care provider will do a pelvic exam, which may show tenderness in the pelvic area.
Tests that may be done include:
Other tests may be used to confirm the diagnosis, such as:
TreatmentEctopic pregnancies cannot continue to birth (term). The developing cells must be removed to save the mother's life.
You will need emergency medical help if the area of the ectopic pregnancy breaks open (ruptures). Rupture can lead to shock, an emergency condition. Treatment for shock may include:
A minilaparotomy and laparoscopy are the most common surgical treatments for an ectopic pregnancy that has not ruptured. If the doctor does not think a rupture will occur, you may be given a medicine called methotrexate and monitored. You may have blood tests and liver function tests.
Expectations (prognosis)One-third of women who have had one ectopic pregnancy are later able to have a baby. A repeated ectopic pregnancy may occur in one-third of women. Some women do not become pregnant again.
The likelihood of a successful pregnancy depends on:
ComplicationsThe most common complication is rupture with internal bleeding that leads to shock. Death from rupture is rare.
Calling your health care providerIf you have symptoms of ectopic pregnancy (especially lower abdominal pain or abnormal vaginal bleeding), call your health care provider. You can have an ectopic pregnancy if you are able to get pregnant (fertile) and are sexually active, even if you use birth control.
PreventionMost forms of ectopic pregnancy that occur outside the fallopian tubes are probably not preventable. However, a tubal pregnancy (the most common type of ectopic pregnancy) may be prevented in some cases by avoiding conditions that might scar the fallopian tubes.
The following may reduce your risk:
Ectopic pregnancyTubal pregnancy; Cervical pregnancy; Abdominal pregnancyLast reviewed: February 21, 2010.
An ectopic pregnancy is an abnormal pregnancy that occurs outside the womb (uterus). The baby (fetus) cannot survive, and often does not develop at all in this type of pregnancy.
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsAn ectopic pregnancy occurs when a pregnancy starts outside the womb (uterus). The most common site for an ectopic pregnancy is within one of the tubes through which the egg passes from the ovary to the uterus (fallopian tube). However, in rare cases, ectopic pregnancies can occur in the ovary, stomach area, or cervix.
An ectopic pregnancy is often caused by a condition that blocks or slows the movement of a fertilized egg through the fallopian tube to the uterus. This may be caused by a physical blockage in the tube by hormonal factors and by other factors, such as smoking.
Most cases of scarring are caused by:
- Past ectopic pregnancy
- Past infection in the fallopian tubes
- Surgery of the fallopian tubes
Some ectopic pregnancies can be due to:
- Birth defects of the fallopian tubes
- Complications of a ruptured appendix
- Endometriosis
- Scarring caused by previous pelvic surgery
- Age over 35
- Having had many sexual partners
- In vitro fertilization
Sometimes, a woman will become pregnant after having her tubes tied (tubal sterilization). Ectopic pregnancies are more likely to occur 2 or more years after the procedure, rather than right after it. In the first year after sterilization, only about 6% of pregnancies will be ectopic, but most pregnancies that occur 2 - 3 years after tubal sterilization will be ectopic.
Ectopic pregnancy is also more likely in women who have:
- Had surgery to reverse tubal sterilization in order to become pregnant
- Had an intrauterine device (IUD) and became pregnant (very unlikely when IUDs are in place)
Symptoms
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Amenorrhea
- Breast tenderness
- Low back pain
- Mild cramping on one side of the pelvis
- Nausea
- Pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic area
- Feeling faint or actually fainting
- Intense pressure in the rectum
- Pain that is felt in the shoulder area
- Severe, sharp, and sudden pain in the lower abdomen
Signs and testsThe health care provider will do a pelvic exam, which may show tenderness in the pelvic area.
Tests that may be done include:
- Culdocentesis
- Hematocrit
- Pregnancy test
- Quantitative HCG blood test
- Serum progesterone level
- Transvaginal ultrasound or pregnancy ultrasound
- White blood count
Other tests may be used to confirm the diagnosis, such as:
TreatmentEctopic pregnancies cannot continue to birth (term). The developing cells must be removed to save the mother's life.
You will need emergency medical help if the area of the ectopic pregnancy breaks open (ruptures). Rupture can lead to shock, an emergency condition. Treatment for shock may include:
- Blood transfusion
- Fluids given through a vein
- Keeping warm
- Oxygen
- Raising the legs
- Confirm an ectopic pregnancy
- Remove the abnormal pregnancy
- Repair any tissue damage
A minilaparotomy and laparoscopy are the most common surgical treatments for an ectopic pregnancy that has not ruptured. If the doctor does not think a rupture will occur, you may be given a medicine called methotrexate and monitored. You may have blood tests and liver function tests.
Expectations (prognosis)One-third of women who have had one ectopic pregnancy are later able to have a baby. A repeated ectopic pregnancy may occur in one-third of women. Some women do not become pregnant again.
The likelihood of a successful pregnancy depends on:
- The woman's age
- Whether she has already had children
- Why the first ectopic pregnancy occurred
ComplicationsThe most common complication is rupture with internal bleeding that leads to shock. Death from rupture is rare.
Calling your health care providerIf you have symptoms of ectopic pregnancy (especially lower abdominal pain or abnormal vaginal bleeding), call your health care provider. You can have an ectopic pregnancy if you are able to get pregnant (fertile) and are sexually active, even if you use birth control.
PreventionMost forms of ectopic pregnancy that occur outside the fallopian tubes are probably not preventable. However, a tubal pregnancy (the most common type of ectopic pregnancy) may be prevented in some cases by avoiding conditions that might scar the fallopian tubes.
The following may reduce your risk:
- Avoiding risk factors for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) such as having many sexual partners, having sex without a condom, and getting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Early diagnosis and treatment of STDs
- Early diagnosis and treatment of salpingitis and PID
- Stopping smoking