When a fertilised egg attaches (implants) itself outside the uterus, it is called an ectopic pregnancy. It could be a tubal, ovarian or peritonea implantation. However, tubal ectopic pregnancies are most common.

What are the Chances?

The egg gets fertilised in the tube around the 14th-15th day of your period. After this, the fertilised egg takes five days to travel through the tube into the uterine cavity where it attaches itself to the inner lining of the uterine wall.

At times, the fertilised egg might be hindered from entering the uterine cavity and lead to an ectopic pregnancy.

This happens when there is a previous tubal infection, when the tube is damaged or an in case of an extra long tube.

A tubal infection could occur when a woman;

• Has multiple sexual partners.
• Has an intrauterine device such as Copper T at the time of conception.
• Has undergone in-vitro fertilisation.

Tubal damage occurs in cases when a woman has undergone an abortion or previous tubal surgery.

Alert Your Doctor

If you are pregnant and have any of these symptoms, call your gynaecologist immediately.

• Abdominal or pelvic pain. In severe cases, women may complain of uterine movement tenderness.
  
• Vaginal spotting or bleeding
  
• Pain that gets worse when you're active or while moving your bowels or coughing.
  
• Shoulder pain; in severe cases, a ruptured fallopian could cause internal bleeding, which affects the nerves and causes shoulder pain.

Detect It Early

An ectopic pregnancy can be detected as early as five weeks into the pregnancy. Any of these tests will help confirm it.

• Blood Pregnancy Test
  Here the hCG (pregnancy hormone) values will be much lower than normal.
  
  
• Vaginal Exam
  A tender vaginal area or an enlarged fallopian tube may be signs of an ectopic pregnancy.

• Vaginal Ultrasound
  A sonogram will clearly show the fertilised egg in the fallopian tube and an empty uterine cavity.
  
  In most cases however, the embryo dies in the early stages. However, a swelling in the fallopian tube will indicate a tubal ectopic pregnancy.