Tubal pregnancy; Cervical pregnancy; Abdominal pregnancy

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Amenorrhea
• Breast tenderness
• Low back pain
• Mild cramping on one side of the pelvis
• Nausea
• Pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic area

If the area of the abnormal pregnancy ruptures and bleeds, symptoms may get worse. They may include:

• Feeling faint or actually fainting
• Intense pressure in the rectum
• Pain that is felt in the shoulder area
• Severe, sharp, and sudden pain in the lower abdomen

Internal bleeding due to a rupture may lead to low blood pressure and fainting in around 1 out of 10 women.

The health care provider will do a pelvic exam, which may show tenderness in the pelvic area.

Tests that may be done include:

• Culdocentesis
• Hematocrit
• Pregnancy test
• Quantitative HCG blood test
• Serum progesterone level
• Transvaginal ultrasound or pregnancy ultrasound
• White blood count

A rise in quantitative HCG levels may help tell a normal (intrauterine) pregnancy from an ectopic pregnancy. Women with high levels should have a vaginal ultrasound to identify a normal pregnancy.

Other tests may be used to confirm the diagnosis, such as:

• D and C
• Laparoscopy
• Laparotomy

Images

Ultrasound in pregnancy

Ultrasound, normal fetus - foot

Uterus

Pelvic laparoscopy

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Ectopic pregnancy Overview

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Ectopic pregnancy Treatment

Review Date: 02/21/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)