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Quick answer
- About 1 in 90 pregnancies is ectopic. It cannot continue and needs treatment.
- One-sided pain, shoulder tip pain and unusual bleeding are warning signs.
- Get same-day help; call 999 for sudden severe pain, dizziness or fainting.
- Most people go on to have a healthy pregnancy later, and support is there.
An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilised egg starts to grow outside the womb, most often in a fallopian tube. It cannot become a baby and it can be dangerous if it grows, so it needs treatment. If this is happening to you, it is not your fault, and it is nothing you did.
Signs to know
Symptoms usually start in about the 6th week of pregnancy, around 2 weeks after a missed period, though the NHS says they can appear between weeks 4 and 12. Some people have none and it is found on a scan. You might not know you are pregnant, especially if your periods are irregular or your contraception failed. Signs can include a combination of:
- Tummy pain low down, often on one side. It can come on suddenly or build over days.
- Vaginal bleeding or brown, watery discharge that is different from your usual period
- Pain at the tip of your shoulder. This can mean blood is leaking inside, and it can be constant.
- Discomfort when peeing or pooing, or an upset tummy
- A missed period and other pregnancy signs
MythIf your pregnancy test is positive and you feel fine, it is definitely a normal pregnancy.
A positive test cannot tell where the pregnancy is. That is why early scans and blood tests matter when you have pain or bleeding. If you cannot yet see a pregnancy on the scan, it is called a pregnancy of unknown location and you will have repeat blood tests to find out what is happening.
Treatment
It is not possible to move or save an ectopic pregnancy. Depending on your tests, options are: careful monitoring if it resolves by itself, a medicine called methotrexate, or keyhole surgery, which may include removing the affected tube. Most people can get pregnant again, even after losing a tube. The chance of another ectopic pregnancy is higher but still small, so tell your GP early next time so you can have an early scan. After methotrexate you will usually be told to wait at least 3 months before trying again.
This can be a huge loss, and often a frightening, physical one too. Grief can last months. The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust and Miscarriage UK offer support.
Sources
Written by the Splash teamSources checked
This is general information, not medical advice. Splash can’t diagnose. If you’re worried, talk to a GP, pharmacist or sexual health clinic. In an emergency call 999 (UK) or 911 (US). How we write and check articles.