Women who conceive after having a tubal ligation for sterilization, reversal of a tubal ligation, or any other type of tubal surgery also have a higher risk of having an ectopic pregnancy. The pregnancies of women who conceive with an IUD in place sometimes occur in the fallopian tube. Tubal disease also may occur as a result of endometriosis, appendicitis, previous pelvic surgery, or exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES). Fallopian tube damage commonly results from prior pelvic infection, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In fact, 50% of ectopic pregnancies are associated with some degree of tubal disease. Women who already have damaged tubes are more likely to develop an ectopic pregnancy. Unfortunately, this is not possible with present medical science. Women who have ectopic pregnancies, particularly if they have been attempting to conceive for a long period of time, often ask whether the pregnancy can be removed from the tube and then transplanted into the uterus where it might grow normally. Fetuses that grow in the abdomen who could survive after birth have been delivered, on rare occasions, by laparotomy (abdominal surgery). Abdominal pregnancies are extremely rare and can progress quite late into the pregnancy before they are discovered. 1), or even within the abdomen (abdominal pregnancy). Ninety-five percent of ectopic pregnancies implant in the fallopian tube, but they also can occur in the cervix, ovary (Fig. After several weeks the tube can rupture and bleed, resulting in a potentially serious situation. The fallopian tube cannot support the growing embryo. However, if the fallopian tube is blocked or damaged and unable to transport the embryo to the uterus, the embryo may implant in the lining of the tube, resulting in an ectopic pregnancy. The resulting embryo travels through the tube and reaches the uterus 3 to 4 days later. In normal conception, the egg is fertilized by the sperm inside the fallopian tube. An ectopic pregnancy is an early embryo (fertilized egg) that has implanted outside of the uterus (womb), the normal site for implantation. DefinitionĮctopic pregnancies account for 1% to 2% of all conceptions. This booklet is designed to provide information on the diagnosis and treatment of ectopic pregnancy. Some women diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy do not even know they are pregnant and suddenly must think about the possibility of major surgery or medical treatment. Many women may have only recently discovered they were pregnant when they receive the diagnosis. The diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy is usually unexpected and is often emotionally traumatic. Download a PDF of this booklet INTRODUCTION
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