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Ectopic Pregnancy

Don’t endanger your future reproductive health, your life, or the life of your fetus. Here’s a primer on what you need to know about ectopic pregnancy, its symptoms, and risks, whether you can detect it on a pregnancy test, and more.

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What Is an Ectopic Pregnancy?

When a fertilized egg implants itself outside the uterus, it’s considered an ectopic pregnancy.

The Cleveland Clinic notes, “The egg is meant to travel down your fallopian tube and embed itself into the wall of your uterus, where it can develop. In an ectopic pregnancy, the egg implants in one of the structures along the way.”

Sometimes the fertilized egg attaches to the ovary, the abdominal cavity, or the cervix, according to the Mayo Clinic. Most often in ectopic pregnancies, however, the zygote, the fertilized egg, attaches itself to the fallopian tube. It can’t survive outside the nurturing environment of the uterus. If left untreated, the tissue will grow. An ectopic pregnancy may cause a fallopian tube to burst, causing internal bleeding that can be fatal.

Symptoms of an Ectopic Pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy is one that is growing in the wrong place. While normally the baby grows inside the uterus, an ectopic pregnancy can be in the fallopian tube, ovary, cervix, or the abdominal cavity. Since ectopic pregnancies in the fallopian tube are much more common than in other locations these are the symptoms you should look out for:

  • Severe pain centered on one side of the abdomen or pelvis
  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Lightheadedness
  • Dizziness
  • Blackouts
  • Abnormally low blood pressure

If your ectopic pregnancy has ruptured, you will likely have blood in your abdominal cavity that may cause:

  • Referred should pain
  • Recal pressure

Will It Show Up On A Pregnancy Test?

In a typical pregnancy, hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in urine signals a positive result on home pregnancy tests, which are about 98%-99% accurate.

Although rare, ectopic pregnancies can sometimes result in a false negative on a home pregnancy test due to lower levels of hCG compared to a normal pregnancy. These hormone levels tend to rise more quickly in a healthy pregnancy than in an ectopic pregnancy.

An ectopic pregnancy can usually be detected through blood tests, ultrasounds, and more sophisticated testing

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Risk Factors You Should Know

A number of factors can increase your risk of experiencing an ectopic pregnancy, including being over 35, STIs, tubal ligation, a history of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), being a smoker or former smoker, IVF treatment, and certain kinds of birth control, such as IUDs, and progestin only oral contraceptives. PID is commonly thought to be the leading cause of an ectopic pregnancy.

Ectopic pregnancies account for about 2% of all pregnancies, according to the National Institutes of Health. Talk with your health care provider about your risk levels.

Turn to Alcove Health for Help

Since 1986, Alcove Health has provided services, advocacy, and support for more than 5,000 women in the Newport News, Hampton, Williamsburg, and York County communities. With our free, confidential services, women can count on evidence-based medical information to make the best decisions for their reproductive health.

An ectopic pregnancy can cause serious complications or even death. If you suspect an ectopic pregnancy, go to the Emergency Department immediately. Otherwise, please book an appointment today, or fill out this short form and someone from Alcove will call you back. Our nurses are here to provide compassionate support and reliable medical services to help you navigate your options. 

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Getting Ready For Your Visit

At Alcove Health, our goal is to ensure your experience is both comforting and enlightening. There’s no need to bring any form of payment to your appointment; all our services are offered at no cost. We welcome you to bring any questions you may have and maintain an open mindset. Our dedicated team is ready to assist you with comprehensive support and information, guiding you through your choices in a respectful and unbiased setting. We understand an unplanned pregnancy can be overwhelming, we’re here to help.

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