Important to get an ectopic pregnancy diagnosed swiftly

ACCORDING to the NHS, an ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilised egg implants itself outside of the womb, usually in one of the fallopian tubes.

If an egg is stuck in one of the tubes, which connect the ovaries to the womb, it won’t develop into a child, and could put the pregnant woman’s health at risk if the pregnancy continues.

The foetus will usually have to be removed by an operation or with medication. In some cases, it can miscarry naturally.

In the UK, around one in every 90 pregnancies is ectopic, around 11,000 a year.

It’s not always clear what the cause of an ectopic pregnancy is, but it can occur when there’s an issue with the fallopian tubes, including them being narrow or blocked. The condition is usually detected in the first few weeks and symptoms include:

■■Sharp, sudden and intense pain in the stomach;

■■Missed periods and other signs of pregnancy;

■■Pain in the tip of your shoulder;

■■Pain in the pelvic area;

■■Possible vaginal bleeding;

■■Discomfort while pooing or peeing. An ectopic pregnancy can be serious, so it’s important to get advice right away.

Your GP will ask about symptoms and you’ll usually need to do a pregnancy test to determine if you could have an ectopic pregnancy.

You may be referred to a specialist early pregnancy clinic for further assessment, where an ultrasound scan and blood tests may be carried out to confirm the diagnosis.