What is an ectopic pregnancy?
An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy outside of the uterus (womb). This happens in about 1 of 100 pregnancies. Over 90% of ectopic pregnancies are in the fallopian tube; uncommonly, it can also grow on the ovary, cervix or previous caesarean scars. An ectopic pregnancy is abnormal and cannot be sustained or converted into a normal pregnancy. It can cause pain and/or life-threatening bleeding when the fallopian tube bursts; this is because no place other than the uterus can carry a pregnancy. Even after treatment of an ectopic pregnancy, there is a 10-15% chance of having another ectopic pregnancy in the future.