What should you know about stages of ectopic pregnancy?

Early on, a pregnancy test may be positive while an ultrasound cannot yet show where the pregnancy is located. As the pregnancy develops, one-sided Pelvic Pain, vaginal bleeding, shoulder-tip pain or dizziness may appear, although symptoms vary. A Transvaginal Ultrasound and repeat pregnancy-hormone tests help clinicians assess location and change.

If the tube stretches or ruptures, bleeding inside the abdomen can become life-threatening. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is one factor that can damage the tubes, but an ectopic pregnancy can occur without a known risk factor.

Contact an early-pregnancy or emergency service promptly if you have a positive pregnancy test with pain or bleeding. Assessment may include vital signs, blood tests and ultrasound. Depending on symptoms, scan findings and hormone results, clinicians may recommend careful monitoring, medicine that stops pregnancy tissue growing or surgery.

Surgery may remove the affected tube in a procedure called Salpingectomy, or use another approach when appropriate. Your team will explain fertility implications, follow-up tests and when it is safe to try for another pregnancy.

Call emergency services for sudden severe abdominal or shoulder pain, fainting, marked weakness, heavy vaginal bleeding, pale clammy skin or difficulty breathing during a possible pregnancy. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint. Pain or bleeding with a positive pregnancy test needs prompt assessment even when symptoms seem mild.

Can you confirm where the pregnancy is located? When will my next blood test or ultrasound be performed? Which findings would make monitoring unsafe? What treatment is suitable for my symptoms and future fertility plans? Who should I contact overnight?