Chances of a second ectopic pregnancy

Your individual outlook depends partly on the health of your fallopian tubes, why the first ectopic occurred and how it was treated. Early contact with a maternity or early-pregnancy service allows the location of a new pregnancy to be checked promptly.

An ectopic pregnancy implants outside the womb, most often in a fallopian tube. A tube that is narrowed or damaged can make another ectopic more possible. Previous pelvic infection, including pelvic inflammatory disease, may also affect the tubes. Treatment history matters: after a salpingectomy, the condition of the remaining tube helps shape natural conception prospects. None of these factors can identify the location of a new pregnancy from symptoms alone.

Before trying again, discuss when it is medically appropriate after your particular treatment, especially if medicine was used. Once you have a positive pregnancy test, tell your clinician about the previous ectopic and ask about early assessment. Pregnancy-hormone blood tests may be followed over time, while a transvaginal ultrasound can help establish whether the pregnancy is within the womb. A very early scan may be inconclusive and sometimes needs repeating.

Get prompt medical assessment if you might be pregnant and develop one-sided lower abdominal or pelvic pain, vaginal bleeding, brown watery discharge, shoulder-tip pain, or discomfort when passing urine or stool. Call emergency services for severe or sudden abdominal pain, fainting, marked dizziness, collapse, or looking very pale. These can occur if an ectopic pregnancy ruptures and causes internal bleeding, so do not wait for a scheduled scan.

Ask whether the first ectopic or its treatment revealed damage in either fallopian tube, when you can safely try to conceive, and whom to contact after a positive test. You can also ask when an early scan would be informative, whether blood tests are appropriate, and what symptoms should send you directly to emergency care.