In the UK there are nearly 12, women with ectopic pregnancies seen in hospitals each year. The chance is higher than average in the following at-risk groups:. However, around one third of women with an ectopic pregnancy do not have any of these risk factors. If you have ectopic pregnancy symptoms that may indicate an ectopic pregnancy you will usually be seen in the hospital immediately. Emergency surgery is needed if a Fallopian tube splits ruptures with heavy bleeding.
The main aim is to stop the bleeding. The ruptured Fallopian tube and remnant of the early pregnancy are then removed. The operation is often life-saving.
Ectopic pregnancy is most often diagnosed before rupture. Your doctor will discuss the treatment options with you and, in many cases, you are able to decide which treatment is best for you. These may include the following:. If your blood group is rhesus negative then you will need an injection of anti-D immunoglobulin if you have an operation for your ectopic pregnancy or if you have had a lot of bleeding.
You are rhesus positive if you have the rhesus factor, which is a protein on the surface of your red blood cells. If the protein is not present, you are rhesus negative. All pregnant women have a blood test to determine whether they are rhesus positive or negative.
The injection of anti-D immunoglobulin simply prevents you from producing antibodies , which can be harmful in future pregnancies, if you are rhesus negative. You do not need this injection though if you receive medical treatment. The above is a brief description of treatment options. A gynaecologist consultant specialist in women's health will advise on the pros and cons of each treatment with you.
This will include any complications or side-effects which could occur with each option. This is called a heterotopic pregnancy and is unusual.
It is more common if you have become pregnant with in vitro fertilisation IVF treatment. If the pregnancy in the womb is healthy and developing normally then it will not be possible to have methotrexate treatment.
This is because it would damage the baby in the right place as well as the tissue growing in the wrong place. You may need an operation or injection to remove or destroy the pregnancy in the wrong place, so that the normal pregnancy can continue safely. In some cases no treatment is needed, and the pregnancy in the wrong place will resolve itself, leaving you only with the normal pregnancy.
Again, your specialist will advise you. In the now uncommon event of the ectopic pregnancy rupturing, there may be severe consequences. Heavy bleeding can cause serious medical problems and, occasionally, even death.
However, most women are now diagnosed in the early stages, before this happens. In this scenario, most women recover very well. An IUD is left in place for 3, 5, or 10 years, depending on the type, or until the Infertility Overview of Infertility Infertility is usually defined as the inability of a couple to achieve a pregnancy after repeated intercourse without contraception for 1 year. Frequent intercourse without birth control usually Pregnancy is less likely to occur when an IUD is in place fewer than 1.
However, if the tube is narrowed or blocked, the egg may move slowly or become stuck. The fertilized egg may never reach the uterus, resulting in an ectopic pregnancy.
An ectopic pregnancy may be located in many different places, including a fallopian tube, an ovary, the cervix, and the abdomen. Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy vary and may not occur until the structure containing the ectopic pregnancy ruptures.
Most women have vaginal bleeding or spotting, cramping or pain in the lower abdomen, or both. Menstrual periods may or may not be late or missed. Some women do not suspect that they are pregnant. When the structure ruptures, the woman usually feels severe, constant pain in the lower abdomen.
If the woman has significant blood loss, she may faint, sweat, or feel light-headed. These symptoms may indicate that she has lost so much blood that she has dangerously low blood pressure shock Shock Shock is a life-threatening condition in which blood flow to the organs is low, decreasing delivery of oxygen and thus causing organ damage and sometimes death.
Blood pressure is usually low Doctors suspect an ectopic pregnancy in women who are of childbearing age and who have lower abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding, faint, or go into shock. In such women, a pregnancy test is done. If the pregnancy test is positive or, rarely, if the test is negative but symptoms still suggest ectopic pregnancy, ultrasonography is done using a handheld device inserted into the vagina called transvaginal ultrasonography. If ultrasonography detects a fetus in a location other than its usual place in the uterus, the diagnosis is confirmed.
If ultrasonography does not detect a fetus anywhere, ectopic pregnancy is still possible, or the pregnancy may be in the uterus but be so early that it cannot be seen. Doctors also do blood tests to measure a hormone produced by the placenta early in pregnancy called human chorionic gonadotropin hCG.
This test can help doctors determine whether the pregnancy is too early for the fetus to be visible in the uterus or is an ectopic pregnancy. If needed to confirm the diagnosis, doctors may use a viewing tube called a laparoscope, inserted through a small incision just below the navel.
This procedure enables them to view an ectopic pregnancy directly. In most women, the fetus and placenta must be removed surgically, usually with a laparoscope Laparoscopy Sometimes doctors recommend screening tests, which are tests that are done to look for disorders in people who have no symptoms.
If women have symptoms related to the reproductive system gynecologic Surgery is needed if the ectopic pregnancy has ruptured. With surgery, either only the pregnancy is removed from the tube or the entire tube is removed. In ruptured ectopic pregnancy cases where a lot of blood has been lost, you may also require a blood transfusion. Emergency treatment may require initial stabilization with oxygen, fluids, and elevating the legs above the level of the heart.
Women often ask, " Can the baby in an ectopic pregnancy ever be saved? Be sure to have your doctor clearly explain your condition so you understand what has happened. It is natural to grieve the loss of your pregnancy and need emotional support or counseling.
Possible complications or long-term effects of an ectopic pregnancy depend on many factors. The first concern is bleeding, and women may bleed to death if emergency care is not sought in a timely matter. Thankfully, this is very rare in the United States with 21st-century medical care. You may be saddened and grieve for the loss of an ectopic pregnancy as you would for any form of miscarriage. It is natural to feel shock, anger, or guilt that this has happened to you, especially if you have been trying to conceive.
You will face hormonal changes that can intensify your emotions, as well as contribute to fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and trouble concentrating. Reach out to your family and friends for emotional support. Counseling may also help you during this difficult time. Get diet and wellness tips delivered to your inbox. Kumar V, Gupta J. Tubal ectopic pregnancy. BMJ Clin Evid. Fylstra DL. Tubal pregnancy: A review of current diagnosis and treatment.
Obstet Gynecol Surv. Jurkovic D, Wilkinson H. Diagnosis and management of ectopic pregnancy. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellFamily.
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