Pregnancy Complications: Tubal (Ectopic) Pregnancy

The Pregnancy HelpDesk

Tubal (Ectopic) Pregnancy:

A tubal pregnancy occurs when the embryo attaches outside of the uterus. The fetus may be in the falopian tubes or on the ovary, but generally, it is in the tubes. Tubal pregnancies occur in 1 out of 100 pregnancies and is generally diagnosed by the 6th week of pregnancy.

Things that increase your risks for a ectopic (tubal) pregnancy:

PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease)

Previous Ectopic pregnancy

IUD in place when conception occurred

Previous ruptured appendix

Surgery on fallopian tubes (for example, tube reversal or having tubes tied)

Signs of a tubal pregnancy:

Cramping on one-side only (later may radiate around waist)

HCG levels may be normal at first and then decline

Shoulder pain

Bleeding or spotting (light bleeding or brown spotting)

Nauseated

Dizziness

Signs of tubal rupture:

Sharp pain on one-side

Spotting or bleeding (may be heavy)

Signs of shock (clammy skin, rapid weak pulse, fainting)

Treatment:

The doctor will either give methotrexate or surgically remove the embryo from the fallopian tubes or ovary. An embryo can not survive a tubal pregnancy.

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