What is it? In normal pregnancies, after the egg gets
fertilised, it travels down the fallopian tubes and implants
itself in the wall of the womb. However, in ectopic/tubal
pregnancy, the fertilised egg implants itself outside the womb
(normally in the fallopian tubes but rarely in abdominal cavity,
ovary or cervix) instead of the womb wall itself. The growing
embryo eventually runs out of blood supply and may cause the
tube to rupture. When? Ectopic pregnancy is diagnosed and
treated by the end of the eighth week of pregnancy, if not
earlier. * Previous infection in fallopian tubes * Pelvic
inflammatory disease * Damaged/blocked fallopian tubes * Severe
abdominal pain (usually on one side and lower down) * Shoulder
pain * Heavy vaginal bleeding or brown discharge * Feeling
faint/dizzy Risk: Whether ectopic pregnancy is diagnosed early
or late, the embryo cannot survive. Sometimes, you may
'miscarry' the embryo without your knowledge. If diagnosed
early, a drug can be given which helps the body to reabsorb th