What should you know about the ectopic pregnancy trust?

In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilised egg implants outside the womb, most often in a fallopian tube. It cannot develop normally there. Symptoms may include one-sided pelvic pain, vaginal bleeding, shoulder-tip pain, dizziness or feeling faint, although symptoms can vary.

A history of pelvic inflammatory disease, previous ectopic pregnancy, tubal surgery or fertility treatment can affect risk, but anyone who could be pregnant should take pain or bleeding seriously. A positive pregnancy test does not show where the pregnancy is located.

If pregnancy is possible, contact a clinician promptly for pain or bleeding. Assessment may include pregnancy hormone blood tests and a transvaginal ultrasound; early scans may need repeating when the location is not yet clear.

Treatment depends on symptoms, scan findings, hormone results and overall health. Options can include careful monitoring, medicine that stops pregnancy tissue growing, or surgery such as salpingectomy. Your team should explain the reasons, follow-up and effect on future fertility.

Call emergency services or go to an emergency department for sudden severe abdominal or pelvic pain, fainting, marked weakness, shoulder-tip pain, heavy bleeding or collapse. These can indicate internal bleeding from a ruptured ectopic pregnancy and require immediate care.

Where is the pregnancy located? Which tests are needed and when will results be reviewed? What treatment is safest for me? How will this affect future pregnancy plans, and what emotional support is available?