Ectopic Pregnancy: What & Why

Dr M Subhasini tells you all you need to know...

- Dr M Subhasini

Dr. M Subhasini, is a consultant, obstetrics and gynecology at Manipal Hospitals, Salem

An ectopic pregnancy is one that occurs outside the uterine cavity i.e. the womb. It occurs in 1 in 100 pregnancies. The various sites of occurrence range from common to rare. The most common site being the Fallopian tubes, followed by ovaries, cervix, Caesarian scar, and very rarely the abdominal cavity. Such a pregnancy does not survive.

In a normal pregnancy, the fertilized egg moves from the Fallopian tube to the uterus, where the pregnancy develops and grows. If this does not happen the fertilized egg starts to develop outside the uterus but only for a short period like 11to 12 weeks, maximum and ultimately could rupture because it’s implanted in a spot not fit to grow.