Ectopic pregnancy

[Agnes]

Ectopic pregnancy is attachment (implantation) of a fertilized egg in an abnormal location.

In an ectopic pregnancy, the fetus cannot survive.
When an ectopic pregnancy ruptures, women often have abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding, which, if not treated, can be fatal.
Ultrasonography is done, mainly to determine the location of the fetus.
Usually, surgery is done to remove the fetus and placenta, but sometimes one or more doses of methotrexate can be used to end the ectopic pregnancy.

Pregnancy complications, such as ectopic pregnancy, are problems that occur only during pregnancy. They may affect the woman, the fetus, or both and may occur at different times during the pregnancy. However, most pregnancy complications can be effectively treated.
Normally, an egg is fertilized in the fallopian tube and becomes implanted in the uterus. However, if the tube is narrowed or blocked, the fertilized egg may never reach the uterus. Sometimes the fertilized egg then implants in tissues outside of the uterus, resulting in an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancies usually develop in one of the fallopian tubes (as a tubal pregnancy) but may develop in other locations.
A fetus in an ectopic pregnancy sometimes survives for several weeks. However, because tissues outside the uterus cannot provide the necessary blood supply and support, ultimately the fetus does not survive. The structure containing the fetus typically ruptures after about 6 to 16 weeks, long before the fetus is able to live on its own. When an ectopic pregnancy ruptures, bleeding may be severe and even threaten the life of the woman. The later the structure ruptures, the worse the blood loss, and the higher the risk of death. However, if an ectopic pregnancy is treated before it ruptures, the woman rarely dies.
Two of 100 pregnancies are an ectopic pregnancy.
Risk factors (conditions that increase the risk of a disorder) for an ectopic pregnancy include

A disorder of the fallopian tubes
Previous pelvic inflammatory disease
A previous ectopic pregnancy
A previous surgical procedure such as an abortion or tubal ligation (a sterilization procedure)
Current use of an IUD (intrauterine device)
Infertility
Cigarette smoking
Several sex partners

[Merna]

the development of the embryo outside the usual position within the womb , usually inside one of the fallopian tubes