Ectopic Pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterine cavity and begins to develop, usually in one of the fallopian tubes, although it can also occur in other areas such as the ovary, abdominal cavity, or cervix. This type of pregnancy is not viable because these areas cannot provide the necessary environment for the embryo to fully develop and can pose serious health risks to the mother as the pregnancy progresses. Initially, an ectopic pregnancy may present with typical pregnancy symptoms, such as missed periods or mild abdominal pain. However, as the embryo progresses, more serious symptoms may occur such as sharp, localized pain, shoulder pain, vaginal bleeding, dizziness or weakness, indicating a risk of rupture and internal bleeding, constituting a medical emergency.