Common sites of ectopic pregnancy

Less commonly, implantation may be in the cervix, an ovary, the abdominal cavity or the part of a tube that passes through the muscular wall of the womb. The location matters because it affects how the pregnancy behaves and which treatment may be suitable.

A pregnancy outside the womb cavity cannot develop normally and may damage surrounding tissue as it grows. A tubal pregnancy can cause internal bleeding if the tube ruptures. Previous tubal damage, including damage associated with pelvic inflammatory disease, can be relevant to risk, but an ectopic pregnancy can occur without an obvious risk factor.

Clinicians assess the pregnancy location using symptoms, pregnancy-hormone blood tests and transvaginal ultrasound. An early scan may not immediately show where a pregnancy is located, so repeat blood tests or imaging may be needed.

Contact a maternity or gynaecology service promptly if you may be pregnant and develop pelvic pain or vaginal bleeding. Tell the clinician the date of your last period, pregnancy-test results, where the pain is felt and whether it is worsening. Follow-up is essential when the pregnancy location remains uncertain, even if symptoms settle.

Go to emergency care for sudden or severe abdominal pain, shoulder-tip pain, fainting, pronounced dizziness, collapse, marked weakness or heavy bleeding. These symptoms may accompany internal bleeding and require immediate evaluation. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint or severely unwell.

Ask whether the pregnancy has been located, what the scan and hormone pattern show, when another check is due, and which symptoms should take you straight to emergency care. If treatment is advised, ask why monitoring, medicine or surgery fits your situation and how future follow-up will work.