Ectopic Pregnancy

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Ectopic pregnancy is pregnancy where a fertilized egg grows outside of the uterus (womb). Normally, an egg cell fertilized by a sperm cell grows into a baby inside the uterus. In ectopic pregnancy, the egg does not attach (implant) inside the uterus and grows somewhere else. The most common place for this to happen is in the fallopian tube (tubal pregnancy). It can also implant on the outside of the uterus, on the ovary or cervix, or in the abdomen (stomach). These parts of the body cannot support a growing baby. Past infections or surgery in your abdomen may increase your risk for this condition. Taking medicines to help increase fertility (getting pregnant) or being exposed to tobacco smoke may also increase your risk.
  
  
• With this condition, you may have missed your monthly period and then later have bleeding from your vagina. You may have pain in your abdomen (stomach). You may also have nausea (upset stomach), vomiting (throwing up), and some tissue coming out of your vagina. To diagnose your condition, you may need blood, urine, and ultrasound tests. You may be watched to see if your condition changes. You may be given anti-cancer medicine or you may need surgery. You will probably lose the baby in having this condition. Diagnosing and treating your condition as soon as possible may help relieve your symptoms and prevent problems in future pregnancies.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

Do not smoke:

Smoking causes lung cancer and other long-term lung diseases. It increases your risk of many cancer types. Smoking also increases your risk of blood vessel disease, heart attack, and vision disorders. Not smoking may help prevent such symptoms as headaches and dizziness for yourself and those around you. Smokers have shorter lifespans than nonsmokers.

For support and more information:

You will probably lose your baby in having this condition and accepting this may be hard. You and those close to you may feel angry, sad, or frightened. These feelings are normal. Talk to your caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. You may also want to join a support group with other people who have had this condition. Call or contact the following:

• The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
  409 12th Street, SW
  Washington , DC 20090
  Phone: 1- 202 - 638-5577
  Web Address: http://www.acog.org
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever.
  
  
• You have pain that gets worse or is not controlled with your medicine.
  
  
• You cannot make it to your next appointment.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You feel you are going to faint.
  
  
• You have bad abdominal (stomach) pain or heavy vaginal bleeding.
  
  
• You have chest pain or trouble breathing.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Ectopic Pregnancy (Discharge Care)