Ectopic and Tubal pregnancy in women

Ectopic pregnancy also referred many times as tubal pregnancy simply means ‘out of place’.



Pregnancy begins with a fertilized egg, this egg then gets implanted in the uterus lining in normal conditions. But in ectopic pregnancy the fertilized egg implants any where outside the uterus like in the fallopian tubes, abdomen, cornua, cervix or ovaries. Most of the pregnancy nearly occurs in the fallopian tubes - the tubes which carry a fertilized egg from the ovaries to the uterus.



This type of pregnancy is called tubal pregnancy. There is not enough space in the fallopian tubes or other sites where ectopic pregnancy occur as they are not designed to hold a growing embryo. As a result the fertilized egg is unable to survive in a tubal pregnancy and the growing tissue might rupture other maternal structures.



Early treatment for ectopic pregnancy is important because if left untreated then it can lead to life-threatening blood loss and/or rupture of other organs. An early detection can leave a chance for a future healthy pregnancy after a tubal.

Many times a specific cause for a tubal pregnancy remains blurred but in most of the cases it is caused when the fertilized egg is stuck on its way to the uterus; this can be due to a scarred, damaged or misshapen fallopian tube. Some other causes include - previous surgery on the tube or in the pelvic region that can cause adhesion, any abnormality in the shape of the tubes, and inflammation of the fallopian tube.

Some risk factors for pregnancy with tubal include - women age more than 35 years old, a previous history of ectopic pregnancy, previous history of pelvic or abdominal surgery, pelvic inflammatory disease, several induced abortions, pregnancy after tubal ligation or a tubal ligation pregnancy, and pregnancy while an IUD is in place. Tubal ligation is a surgical procedure (usually reversible) to make a woman sterile by getting the fallopian tubes tied. A common complication of pregnancy after a tubal ligation is ectopic pregnancy.

Once an ectopic pregnancy is diagnosed there are several treatment methods, however it is not possible to shift the implantation from the tubes to the womb. The treatment options will vary according to the size and location of the pregnancy and how well the woman is medically stable.



If a woman may wish to try again for pregnancy after ectopic pregnancy it is definitely possible. But there are chances of pregnancy and tubal pregnancy; however it is also likely that the pregnancy will be at the right place.