It may be your first time expecting, maybe you’ve been pregnant before, or perhaps you don’t even know you’re pregnant yet. Each symptom you might feel — from nausea to abdominal twinges — can sometimes put you on edge. Most of the time, these symptoms aren’t anything to be concerned about. But there are some signs that can suggest something more serious.
About1% to 2% of pregnanciesare what are known as “ectopic pregnancies.” This happens when a fertilized egg grows in a location other than the uterus, like the fallopian tube. It’s dangerous for the person who is pregnant. And an ectopic pregnancy can happen before you even know you are pregnant. Sadly, this type of pregnancy cannot successfully grow.
For the most part, having an ectopic pregnancy is just bad luck. But there may be some things you can do to decrease your chances of having one. And if it does happen, it’s important to know the symptoms and how to get treatment fast.
What causes an ectopic pregnancy?
Let’s start with how pregnancy begins. Typically, an egg is released and travels from one of the ovaries to the uterus through the fallopian tube. If the egg is fertilized by sperm, it usually attaches (implants) in the lining of the uterus. Sometimes the egg is fertilized outside of the body using a technique like in vitro fertilization (IVF), and then it’s transferred into the uterus.
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus. Most often, the ectopic pregnancy implants in the fallopian tube, but they can also occur in the ovary, the outer wall of the uterus, and the abdomen.
A fertilized egg usually can’t grow normally if it isn’t in the uterus. But there have been cases ofabdominal pregnancies, where the baby develops normally outside of the uterus. Some of these babies grow to full term, but some are born with birth defects. Others can cause death in the pregnant person and their child. If the pregnancy is in the fallopian tube, it may grow enough to stretch the tube so that it bursts and bleeds. This is very dangerous for the pregnant person and causes2.7%of all pregnancy-related deaths.
When does an ectopic pregnancy occur?
Mostectopic pregnancies are diagnosed during the first trimesterof pregnancy — between 6 to 10 weeks. In the cases ofabdominal ectopic pregnanciesthat grow to full term, some aren’t diagnosed until the baby is born, and this can be very dangerous. This is because there can be many complications during the birthing process of an abdominal pregnancy, especially if preparations aren’t taken beforehand.
What are the first symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy?
The first symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are the same as any early pregnancy. You will miss your menstrual cycle and stop having periods. You may feel tired, have tender breasts, and have some nausea or vomiting. Sometimes you may not even suspect you are pregnant. So then, how can you tell if you have an ectopic pregnancy?
Some people with an early ectopic pregnancy may have vaginal bleeding, mild lower abdominal pain or cramping, or low back pain. Pain or cramping on just one side of the body are concerning signs that strongly suggest an ectopic pregnancy.
As an ectopic pregnancy grows, the pain and bleeding can worsen and also lead to dizziness or fainting. Although it seems strange, you may also feel pain in the shoulder. This happens when inflammation in the abdomen irritates the diaphragm and triggers pain in a set of nerves in the shoulder. Any of these symptoms should be checked out right away.
One of the greatest risks to a pregnant person with an ectopic pregnancy is the rupture of a fallopian tube. When this happens, there’s a large amount of bleeding. Sometimes this is vaginal bleeding, but it may also happen inside of the body. A ruptured ectopic pregnancy is an emergency that requires surgery and other kinds of medical support right away. Even if an ectopic pregnancy isn’t ruptured yet, it needs immediate treatment to prevent serious complications.
Diagnosing an ectopic pregnancy
If you’re pregnant or could be pregnant — and have lower abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding — you can call your provider to get guidance on where to be seen. They may have you come into their office or tell you to go to the emergency room (ER). If you don’t have a healthcare provider, it’s best to go directly to the ER.
There are a few routine exams and tests for pregnant people who experience these types of symptoms. You’ll be checked for bleeding from your vagina and for swelling or tenderness in the abdomen or pelvis.
A blood test can check the levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) — a hormone produced during pregnancy. The level of hCG, especially when it’s checked over time, is an important clue as to whether a pregnancy is developing normally. A complete blood cell count (CBC) is another blood test that can also look for signs of bleeding inside of the body.
A pelvic ultrasound shows whether there’s a pregnancy in the uterus or in one of the fallopian tubes. Sometimes the ultrasound and the blood test for hCG need to be repeated on different days. If it’s very early in the pregnancy, the first blood test and ultrasound might not be able to tell if a pregnancy is developing normally. But repeat tests over a period of a few days help to identify if a pregnancy is growing and if it’s in the right location.
How do you treat an ectopic pregnancy?
An ectopic pregnancy can be treated withmethotrexate. Methotrexate is a medication that stops the cells in the ectopic pregnancy from dividing so that the body can absorb them over a period of weeks. Healthcare providers usually give it as an injection. Afterwards, you’ll see them regularly for exams and to check blood tests.
If an ectopic pregnancy causes the fallopian tube to rupture or come close to rupturing, you’ll need a surgery called a “laparoscopy.” Under anesthesia, a doctor will make a few small incisions on the abdomen and use a thin instrument with a light and a camera to see what’s happening inside the abdomen. They will then either remove the ectopic pregnancy itself or remove the entire tube. This depends on whether the tube is damaged and ifthe whole pregnancy can be removedwithout removing the tube.
After medical or surgical treatment, your body will need a few weeks to recover. Your mental and emotional health are equally as important after losing a pregnancy — whether it was planned or not. Family, friends, mental health professionals, and support groups can be helpful after a pregnancy loss.
It’s very rare to get pregnant if you have an intrauterine device (IUD) in place or if you’ve had a tubal ligation (having your “tubes tied”). But if you do get pregnant in those cases, there’s a higher risk of having an ectopic pregnancy.
Can an ectopic pregnancy be saved?
The uterus is the only part of the body with the right conditions to support a growing pregnancy. In most cases, a pregnancy can’t continue if it’s outside of the uterus. Because there’s no way of moving a fertilized egg into the uterus once it has implanted somewhere else, there’s no way of saving an ectopic pregnancy.
Preventing an ectopic pregnancy
Some risks for an ectopic pregnancy can’t be avoided — like your age, having had surgery, or having endometriosis. But if you and your healthcare provider are aware of these risks, you can be on the lookout for any warning signs of an ectopic pregnancy.
Here are some things you can do to lower the chance of having an ectopic pregnancy:
Stop smoking before you get pregnant or when you find out that you are pregnant.
Practice safe sex, and get checked for any sexually transmitted infections.
Have regular visits with your healthcare provider before you get pregnant so you can address any health concerns or risk factors together.
Once you find out that you are pregnant, see a healthcare provider as soon as possible to begin care. Share your complete health history with them, ask questions, and address any concerns you may have.
The bottom line
Even though ectopic pregnancies aren’t common, they are very serious. Whether you’re expecting, or you possibly could be pregnant and don’t know it yet, there are risk factors that may put you at higher risk for ectopic pregnancy. There are some risks you can control and others that are out of your hands. It’s helpful to know the signs and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy. That way you can get treatment before a life-threatening situation arises.
