Ectopic Pregnancy

Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

• What is an ectopic pregnancy?
• What are the risk factors for ectopic pregnancy?
• What are symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy?
• How is ectopic pregnancy diagnosed?
• What is the health risk of an ectopic pregnancy?
• What treatment options are available for ectopic pregnancy?
• Ectopic Pregnancy At A Glance
• Related pregnancy articles:
  Ectopic pregnancy - on WebMD
  Pregnancy Symptoms - on WebMD

What is an ectopic pregnancy?

An ectopic pregnancy is a condition in which a fertilized egg settles and grows in any location other than the inner lining of the uterus. The vast majority of ectopic pregnancies occur in the Fallopian tube (98%), however, they can occur in other locations, such as the ovary, cervix, and abdominal cavity. An ectopic pregnancy occurs in about one in 50 pregnancies.

The major health risk of ectopic pregnancy is rupture leading to internal bleeding. Before the 19th century, the mortality rate (the death rate) from ectopic pregnancies exceeded 50%. By the end of the 19th century, the mortality rate dropped to five percent because of surgical intervention. With current advances in early detection, the mortality rate has improved to less than five in 10,000. The survival rate from ectopic pregnancies is improving even though the incidence of ectopic pregnancies is also increasing. The major reason for a poor outcome is failure to seek early medical attention. Ectopic pregnancy remains the leading cause of pregnancy-related death in the first trimester of pregnancy.

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