What are the treatment options for ectopic pregnancy?

An ectopic pregnancy develops outside the main cavity of the uterus, often in a fallopian tube. It cannot continue safely in that location. Assessment usually combines symptoms, pregnancy-hormone blood tests and a transvaginal ultrasound.

If the pregnancy is small, unruptured and you are clinically stable, a specialist may discuss expectant management or methotrexate, a medicine that stops pregnancy tissue growing. Surgery is considered when medicine is unsuitable, monitoring is not appropriate, or there is concern about rupture.

Arrange same-day medical assessment if ectopic pregnancy is suspected. Your team may repeat blood tests and ultrasound, explain whether monitoring is safe, and discuss how treatment could affect follow-up and future fertility.

Surgery may remove the pregnancy from the tube or, when necessary, remove the affected tube through a salpingectomy. Follow-up blood tests are needed after some treatments to confirm that pregnancy hormone levels are falling.

Go to emergency care immediately for sudden or worsening one-sided abdominal pain, shoulder-tip pain, fainting, marked dizziness, heavy vaginal bleeding or collapse. These can signal internal bleeding from a ruptured ectopic pregnancy.

Where is the pregnancy located? Am I suitable for monitoring or medicine? What follow-up is required? If surgery is needed, will the other tube be assessed?