An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilised egg implants itself outside of the womb, usually in one of the fallopian tubes.
The fallopian tubes are the tubes connecting the ovaries to the womb. If an egg gets stuck in them, it won't develop into a baby and your health may be at risk if the pregnancy continues.
Unfortunately, it's not possible to save the pregnancy and usually has to be removed using medicine or an operation.
In the UK, around 1 in every 90 pregnancies is ectopic.
An ectopic pregnancy doesn't always cause symptoms and may only be detected during a routine pregnancy scan.
If you do have symptoms, they tend to develop between the 4th and 12th week of pregnancy.
A missed period and other signs of pregnancy
Vaginal bleeding
Brown watery discharge
Pain where your shoulder ends and arm begins
Discomfort when peeing or pooing
A sharp, sudden and intense pain in your tummy
Feeling very dizzy or fainting
Diarrhoea
Vomiting/ feeling sick
Looking very pale
Pain in the lower part of the abdomen - usually more on one side
Wait & Watch
You're carefully monitored and 1 of the treatments below is used if the fertilised egg doesn't dissolve by itself
Medicine
An injection of a powerful medicine called methotrexate is used to stop the pregnancy growing
Laparoscopy
"Keyhole" surgery is performed under general anaesthetic to remove the fertilised egg, usually along with the affected fallopian tube
