Ectopic pregnancy affects about 1% of pregnancies. In a normal pregnancy, an egg is fertilised by sperm in a fallopian tube (the tubes connecting the ovaries to the womb). The fertilised egg moves into the womb, and implants itself in the womb lining, where it grows and develops. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilised egg is implanted outside the womb.
Over 95% of ectopic pregnancies occur in a fallopian tube, which is known as a tubular pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancies can also occur in an ovary, in the abdominal space, or in the cervix (neck of the womb).
If it's not treated, an ectopic pregnancy can be fatal. It can split (rupture) the fallopian tube causing internal, abdominal bleeding that can lead to a life-threatening amount of blood loss.
However, the number of ectopic pregnancies that result in death is small. For example, from 2000 to 2002, there were 31,000 ectopic pregnancies in the UK. Of these, 11 (0.035%) resulted in death.
Ectopic
Ectopic refers to a pregnancy that occurs outside of the womb, most commonly in the fallopian tubes.
Fallopian tube
Fallopian tubes (also called oviducts or uterine tubes) are the two tubes that connect the uterus to the ovaries in the female reproductive system.
Ovaries
Ovaries are the pair of reproductive organs that produce eggs and sex hormones in females.
Cervix
The
cervix is at the lower end of the womb. It connects the womb with the vagina.
Rupture
A rupture is a break or tear in an organ or tissue.
Blood
Blood supplies oxygen to the body and removes carbon dioxide. It is pumped around the body by the heart.
