Maybe you took a pregnancy test at home, and it came back positive. Maybe you’ve had cramping on one side and started searching to find out what it could mean.
Either way, running across the term “ectopic pregnancy” can rattle you, especially when most of what comes up sounds alarming.
An ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, most often in a fallopian tube. It doesn’t happen often, but it does need medical attention, so it helps to know what it looks like and how a doctor finds one.
You can schedule a no-cost, confidential appointment at our Boca Raton or Palm Beach Gardens location to get clear information about your own pregnancy.
What Happens in an Ectopic Pregnancy
In a typical pregnancy, the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. In an ectopic pregnancy, it attaches somewhere else.
According to Mayo Clinic, roughly 90% of these attach to the inside of a fallopian tube. The rest attach to an ovary, the cervix, a cesarean scar, or the abdomen.
Cleveland Clinic describes an ectopic pregnancy as a condition that can’t continue and that needs emergency medical treatment, because a fallopian tube that ruptures can cause severe internal bleeding.
Signs Worth Paying Attention To
Early on, an ectopic pregnancy can feel like any other pregnancy. A missed period, tender breasts, nausea, and a positive test all still happen.
The first warning signs are often light vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain. Shoulder pain or an urge to have a bowel movement.
Go to an emergency room or call 911 if you notice any of these:
- Severe abdominal or pelvic pain along with vaginal bleeding
- Sharp pain at the tip of your shoulder
- Extreme lightheadedness or fainting
What Raises the Chances
Some situations make an ectopic pregnancy more likely. A previous ectopic pregnancy tops the list, followed by past infections such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, prior surgery on a fallopian tube, smoking, and certain fertility treatments.
Keep in mind that plenty of women with these risk factors never have an ectopic pregnancy, and plenty of women with none of them do.
How Do You Find Out Where The Pregnancy Is Located
A pregnancy test measures the pregnancy hormone called hCG. But the pregnancy test alone can not show the location of the pregnancy.
An ultrasound can. If your pregnancy test is positive, you may qualify for a no-cost limited obstetric ultrasound, which confirms how far along you are, whether the pregnancy is growing in the uterus, and whether there’s a heartbeat.
If You’re Weighing Abortion
One detail often gets missed in early research. The abortion pill does not treat an ectopic pregnancy, and the FDA lists a known or suspected ectopic pregnancy as a reason not to take mifepristone.
An ectopic pregnancy calls for a different kind of care, usually medication that a doctor administers or surgery. Confirming the location of your pregnancy first protects you either way.
Where to Start
You don’t have to sort through all of this on your own, and you don’t have to discuss everything at once.
Our team offers no-cost pregnancy testing and ultrasounds in a confidential setting, along with time to ask whatever questions you have.
Schedule your appointment today and get answers about your pregnancy before you decide anything else.
This blog offers general information and does not replace medical advice. If you have symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy, seek emergency care right away.