What Is Ectopic Pregnancy?

If you have recently discovered you are unexpectedly pregnant or you think you might be, it is important to get confirmation of a positive pregnancy test. If you want to be confident in your pregnancy test results, come to Waterleaf. We offer free lab-quality pregnancy testing so you can be sure your results are accurate.

What’s Your Next Step?

If your test results are positive from one of our center’s pregnancy tests, we will perform a free ultrasound. You need the critical information only an ultrasound can give to make an informed decision about your pregnancy. 

Specifically, you need to know where your pregnancy is located. Ultrasound can confirm if your pregnancy is located in or outside of your uterus.

A normal pregnancy

In a normal pregnancy, the fertilized egg attaches to your uterine lining which is called implantation. Once attached, the placenta forms and the pregnancy continues to grow. 

An ectopic pregnancy

The word “ectopic” literally means out of place. With an ectopic pregnancy, the egg attaches itself somewhere outside the main cavity of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube which carries eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. A tubal pregnancy, where the egg implants in the fallopian tube, is the most common ectopic pregnancy. 

Ectopic pregnancies are very serious and can lead to significant health complications. In the case of an ectopic pregnancy, urgent medical attention is required. 

Who has an ectopic pregnancy?

A fertilized egg cannot survive anywhere but in the uterus. According to the March of Dimes, ectopic pregnancies happen in about 1 out of every 50 pregnancies in the U.S.

Any woman can have an ectopic pregnancy. There is no way to prevent one, but there are a few risk factors that might make it more likely.

• You have PID (pelvic inflammatory disease)
• You smoke cigarettes
• You have an STI (sexually transmitted infection)
• You are older than 35
• You have multiple sex partners

How do I know if I have an ectopic pregnancy?

You will have normal pregnancy symptoms at first, but as the pregnancy grows, you may begin to experience other problems.

• Light vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain
• Upset stomach and vomiting
• Sharp abdominal cramps
• Pain in your shoulder, neck, lower back, or rectum
• Dizziness or fainting

The best way to determine if you have an ectopic pregnancy is to start with a free lab-quality pregnancy test at Waterleaf followed by a free ultrasound if your pregnancy test is positive. A limited obstetrical ultrasound allows a member of our medical team to see where your pregnancy is located and recommend the proper treatment. 

Contact Us Today

You may be wondering why we offer all of these services at no cost to you. We want every woman to be confident about her pregnancy and her options regardless of her ability to pay. 

Be sure to contact us today. We are ready to help you.