A pregnancy that implants outside the uterine cavity

Pathophysiology

• 97% are tubal, with most in the ampulla
  • most dangerous if in the isthmus
• 3% in ovary, cervix or peritoneum
• trophoblast invades the tubal wall, producing bleeding which may dislodge the embryo

Risk factors:

*About 1/3 of women have no identifiable risk factor

• E - previous ectopic (18.5% risk of reoccurance)/endometriosis
• C - Contraception (IUD or previous generation POP)
• T - tubal surgeries
• O - Other surgeries
• P - PID
• I - Infertility treatments
• C - Cant find a predisposing factor in 50%
• Other risk factors:
  • cigarette smoking
  • maternal age over 35

PC

Ectopic pregnancy typically presents 6 to 8 weeks after the last normal menstrual period, but can present earlier or later.