Does ectopic pregnancy cause severe abdominal pain in pregnancy?

An ectopic pregnancy grows outside the womb, often in a fallopian tube. As tissue stretches or bleeding develops around the pregnancy, pain may become sharp, intense, or focused on one side of the lower abdomen. It can spread through the pelvis or be felt in the shoulder. Vaginal bleeding, weakness, dizziness, or fainting may occur alongside the pain.

Severe abdominal pain has other possible causes, including problems affecting the digestive or urinary systems and other pregnancy complications. The symptom cannot establish the cause without an examination and appropriate testing.

If you are pregnant or could be pregnant and have severe abdominal pain, seek urgent medical care now. Call emergency services if you feel faint, are bleeding heavily, or cannot travel safely. Keep your phone nearby, avoid driving yourself, and tell the team about any bleeding, shoulder pain, or previous ectopic pregnancy.

Emergency help is especially urgent for sudden or worsening pain, fainting, severe dizziness, pale or clammy skin, heavy vaginal bleeding, shoulder-tip pain, or difficulty breathing. These can indicate internal bleeding, which requires rapid treatment.

Ask what the examination and ultrasound show, whether blood testing needs repeating, which treatment choices are available, and which symptoms mean you should return immediately.