What is an ectopic pregnancy?

An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilised egg implants in the wrong place.

A fertilised egg usually implants in the main part of the womb (endometrial cavity). An ectopic pregnancy happens when the egg gets stuck outside the endometrial cavity. The growing egg (embryo) is then unlikely to develop properly. Even if it can, this puts your life in danger.

An ectopic pregnancy is usually in one of the fallopian tubes. These are the tubes that carry the egg from your ovaries to your womb.

Sadly, nothing can be done to save the egg and it cannot be moved to the right place. You may need medicine or an operation to remove it before it becomes too dangerous.

This can be a distressing experience. An ectopic pregnancy can be just as upsetting as any other pregnancy loss.

How common is an ectopic pregnancy?

Around 1 in every 90 pregnancies in the UK is ectopic. This is around 11,000 pregnancies each year.

What are the causes of an ectopic pregnancy?

In most cases, no cause is found for an ectopic pregnancy.

However, some things can put you at an increased risk of an ectopic pregnancy. These include

• pelvic inflammatory disease
• having an ectopic pregnancy before
• previous surgery on your fallopian tubes
• fertility treatment, such as IVF
• getting pregnant while using contraception, such as a coil, called an intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS)
• smoking
• being older

What are the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy?

Some women do not have any symptoms of ectopic pregnancy. You may only find out when you go for an early scan.

If you do have symptoms, they usually develop between the 4th and 12th weeks of pregnancy.

As well as a positive pregnancy test, symptoms can include a combination of:

• a missed period and other signs of pregnancy
• tummy pain low down on one side, it may be persistent or come and go
• vaginal bleeding or a brown watery discharge
• pain in the tip of your shoulder, which can be sign of internal bleeding
• discomfort when weeing or pooing
• feeling dizzy or faint

These symptoms are similar to those caused by other conditions, like miscarriage, ongoing normally sited pregnancy, ovarian cysts. It is important to seek help as soon as possible if you have them.

Where to get help

Contact your GP or call NHS 111 if you have any of the symptoms and a positive pregnancy test.

An ectopic pregnancy can be serious, so it is important to be checked.

You may be referred to a specialist clinic for an examination, ultrasound scan or a blood test. This is so an ectopic pregnancy can be confirmed before any treatment starts.

When is an ectopic pregnancy an emergency?

Sometimes, an ectopic pregnancy can grow large enough to split the fallopian tube. This is known as a rupture. It is a medical emergency as a rupture can be life-threatening.

Call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E if you experience a combination of:

• a sharp, sudden and intense pain in your tummy
• feeling very dizzy or fainting
• feeling sick

You’ll need surgery to remove the fallopian tube. Ruptures are not common and are treatable if dealt with quickly.

How is an ectopic pregnancy treated?

Sadly, the only way to treat your ectopic pregnancy is to end the pregnancy. Your healthcare team will talk to you about your options.

There are three treatments for an ectopic pregnancy.

• Expectant management, where you are monitored to see if the pregnancy ends by itself
• Medication called methotrexate, to stop the embryo growing
• Surgery to remove the embryo, often removing your fallopian tube.

Will I be able to get pregnant again?

Even if you have had a fallopian tube removed, most women will be able to get pregnant again.

If you were treated with the medicine methotrexate, you should wait at least three months before trying to get pregnant again.

If you become pregnant again and have any worrying symptoms, contact your GP or early pregnancy assessment unit (EPAU). They may be able to carry out an early scan to check the pregnancy is growing in the right place.

Getting support

Having an ectopic pregnancy can have a devastating impact on you and your partner, if you have one. It’s natural to feel lots of different emotions. There are places you can go to get support.

The Ectopic Pregnancy Foundation has a helpline and the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust has support groups.

Other organisations include the Miscarriage Association and Cruse Bereavement Support. 

As a women’s health charity, part of what we do is fund research to save and change the lives of women, girls and babies.

Read about our research to help women with an ectopic pregnancy

As a women’s health charity, part of what we do is fund research to save and change the lives of women, girls and babies.

We are funding research to develop a new test to diagnose ectopic pregnancy more quickly and easily. Right now, tests can be time consuming and may involve surgery – we hope that our research will get rid of the need for surgery. This will mean women who have an ectopic pregnancy will get the care and treatment they need much sooner.