Is a quite severe complication of pregnancy when the egg following fertilization becomes attached to another area than the uterine wall.

Fallopian tubes Fallopian tubes are the most common location for ectopic pregnancy.

Other areas include: cervix, ovaries, abdomen and others.

Damage of other organs and tissues arise from the implantation and initial development of the fetus.

Is considered a medical emergency and without treatment is potentially dangerous for the mother

1/2 of ectopic pregnancies resolve without serious complications

All pregnancies that resolve result in a spontaneous abortion

Symptoms:

     -     Vaginal bleeding
     -     Severe abdominal pain
     -     Pain with urination
     -     Pain with bowel movements
     -     Belief of miscarriage

Causes:

     -     Often no risk factor is known  -  [50%]
     -     Previous ectopic pregnancy

Risk factors

     -     Smoking
     -     Tubal surgery
     -     Tubal ligation
     -     Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
     -     Infertility

Ultrasound is an essential for diagnosis

Blood work may show an abnormal rise in Beta hCG levels

If pregnancy is suspected but unknown if ectopic pregnancy is possible, a vaginal ultrasound will show the presences or lack of intrauterine pregnancy.

locations of potential places for ectopic pregnancies

Possible types of ectopic pregnancies

1.)  Fallopian Tube  -  occurs in 95% and above

2.)  Nontubal ectopic pregnancy -  occurs in around 2% of pregnancies
        -   occurs in abdomen, ovaries or cervix
        -   In rare cases a live baby may be delivered by laparotomy

3.)  Heterotopic pregnancy
        -   occurs with two fertalized eggs
        –   one is within the uterus and the other is ectopic
        -   hCG levels may continue to rise after the treatment of the ectopic pregnancy

Treatment:

Medication
.          Methotrexate

Surgical

   -    Removal of the pregnancy alone
   -    Removal of fallopian tube along with pregnancy