Ectopic Pregnancy: Ten Symptoms You Should Not Ignore | www.justmommies.com

An ectopic pregnancy, sometimes called a tubal pregnancy, happens when a fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the lining of the uterus. Most ectopic pregnancies occur in the fallopian tube but other places where an ectopic can implant are the abdominal cavity, ovary or cervix. Ectopic pregnancies are sometimes difficult to diagnose. Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy are very similar to normal pregnancy symptoms and some women have no symptoms at all. When a pregnancy starts to develop somewhere other than the uterus there is no room for the placenta to attach or the pregnancy to grow and develop properly. A pregnancy that develops inside the fallopian tube will eventually rupture if left untreated. Complications from a ruptured tube can be life threatening. In fact, ectopic pregnancy is the leading cause of maternal death in the first trimester. A ruptured tube is a medical emergency.