An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that occurs outside the uterus. It is a life-threatening condition to the mother. The fetus cannot persist. The most common place that ectopic pregnancy occurs is in one of the Fallopian tubes. These are the tubes that transport the egg from the ovary to the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies also can be found on the outside of the uterus, on the ovaries, or attached to the bowel. The most serious complication of an ectopic pregnancy is intra-abdominal hemorrhage (severe bleeding). Ectopic pregnancy is usually found in the first 5-10 weeks of pregnancy.
Fertilization normally occurs in the outer half of the fallopian tube which is called the ampulla. The embryo is then propelled along the fallopian tube, by the coordinated beating of the cilia which line the tube, towards the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the embryo gets stuck in the fallopian tube and implants here, instead of moving on to the uterus.
