Finding out you are pregnant can raise many questions at once, and it helps to gather clear information about your health before making any decisions.
One detail worth confirming early is the location of your pregnancy. For a small number of women, a condition called ectopic pregnancy can develop, and recognizing the signs early can make a meaningful difference for your safety.
Keep reading to learn what an ectopic pregnancy is, the symptoms to watch for, and how a simple scan can give you the answers you need.
You can also reach out to the Pregnancy Resource Center of Glenwood Springs to schedule a free and confidential appointment.
Understanding Ectopic Pregnancy
During pregnancy, a fertilized egg should travel through the fallopian tube and implant in the uterus, where it can grow and develop.
An ectopic pregnancy, however, occurs when the egg implants somewhere outside the uterus, most often within a fallopian tube.
Less commonly, it can implant in the ovary, cervix, or abdomen. Because no area outside the uterus can safely support a growing pregnancy, an ectopic pregnancy is a serious medical condition that requires prompt attention to protect your health.
Warning Signs to Watch For
In the earliest weeks, an ectopic pregnancy can feel like a typical pregnancy and may even produce a positive home pregnancy test. As it progresses, certain symptoms often appear, including:
- Sharp or stabbing pain in the abdomen or pelvis, usually on one side
- Vaginal spotting or bleeding
- Shoulder pain, which can point to internal bleeding
- Dizziness, weakness, or fainting
If you are noticing any of these signs, seek medical care right away.
Who Is at Greater Risk?
While an ectopic pregnancy can happen to any woman, certain factors can raise the likelihood, such as:
- A previous ectopic pregnancy
- Prior surgery on the fallopian tubes
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Endometriosis
- In vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment
- Use of an intrauterine device (IUD)
- A history of smoking
How an Ectopic Pregnancy Is Diagnosed
The clearest way to confirm an ectopic pregnancy is with an ultrasound scan.
An ultrasound allows a trained medical professional to see where your pregnancy has implanted, how far along you are, and whether the pregnancy is progressing. With that information, you can make decisions that best safeguard your health.
We Are Here to Help
At the Pregnancy Resource Center of Glenwood Springs, you do not have to sort through questions on your own.
Our free pregnancy testing uses lab-quality tests with a 99% accuracy rate, and our free ultrasound can confirm the fetal heartbeat, the location of your pregnancy within or outside the uterus, and accurate gestational age (how far along you are).
Those answers offer peace of mind and the confidence to move forward with your next step.
Contact us today to schedule your free and confidential appointment.