If you just found out you’re pregnant, and you’re not sure how you feel about it yet, there’s probably a lot going through your mind right now. 

You might be researching your options, trying to figure out how far along you are, or just trying to understand what’s happening in your body. You may be asking yourself if you’re even ready to have a baby right now. 

Before you make any decisions, there’s one medical situation you need to know about, not because it’s meant to scare you, but because it genuinely matters for your health and safety, no matter which direction you’re leaning. 

That situation is an ectopic pregnancy.

Here’s what it is, how to spot it, and why getting an ultrasound first is so important.

What Is an Ectopic Pregnancy?

A normal pregnancy happens when a baby travels through the fallopian tube and implants in the uterus, where the baby can grow. In an ectopic pregnancy, the baby implants somewhere outside the uterus. Most often, this happens in a fallopian tube, which is why you’ll sometimes hear it called a “tubal pregnancy.”

The problem is that a fallopian tube is not designed to hold a growing pregnancy. It has no room to expand the way a uterus does. As a result, an ectopic pregnancy cannot survive and cannot be carried to term. 

It’s not a matter of waiting or hoping for things to change. Left untreated, it becomes a serious medical emergency.

About 1 in 50 pregnancies is ectopic. That’s not a huge number, but it’s common enough that every pregnant woman should understand what to watch for.

What Are the Symptoms?

Here’s what makes ectopic pregnancies tricky: early on, they can feel like a normal pregnancy. 

You might have a missed period, nausea, tender breasts, and a positive pregnancy test. The test comes back positive because your body is producing the pregnancy hormone (hCG) either way.

 

As the pregnancy grows in the wrong place, more specific symptoms usually start to appear:

  • Sharp or stabbing pain in your lower abdomen or pelvis, often on one side
  • Shoulder or neck pain (this can happen if internal bleeding irritates the diaphragm)
  • Vaginal bleeding or spotting that feels different from a normal period
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you might faint
  • Nausea and vomiting alongside the pain

The pain is often the biggest clue. It may start mild and come and go, but it can become severe. If you’re experiencing sharp, one-sided pelvic pain alongside any bleeding or dizziness, you should seek medical attention right away.

These can be signs of a rupture, which is a medical emergency.

 

Why This Matters Even If You’re Unsure About the Pregnancy

This is something a lot of women don’t know: if you’re considering taking the abortion pill, an undetected ectopic pregnancy is a serious risk factor.

The abortion pill works by ending a pregnancy inside the uterus. It does not treat an ectopic pregnancy. 

If you take it without knowing your pregnancy is ectopic, the medication will not address the ectopic pregnancy at all, and you could still be in danger while assuming the situation has been handled.

This isn’t meant to be a reason for or against any decision you’re considering. It’s just a medical reality that every woman deserves to know before she acts. 

Whatever you decide to do, knowing where the pregnancy is located has to come first.

The only way to know for sure is through an ultrasound.

 

Who Is More Likely to Have an Ectopic Pregnancy?

Some women have a higher risk than others. Risk factors include:

  • A previous ectopic pregnancy
  • Prior pelvic or fallopian tube surgery
  • A history of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or STIs like chlamydia or gonorrhoea
  • Endometriosis
  • Becoming pregnant while using an IUD
  • Smoking

That said, ectopic pregnancy can happen to anyone. Many women who experience one have no known risk factors at all. 

That’s another reason why an ultrasound early in pregnancy is so valuable, regardless of your history.

 

What Happens If It Is Ectopic?

If an ultrasound shows that your pregnancy is ectopic, it will need to be treated medically. This is not optional, because the pregnancy cannot continue and will eventually rupture if left alone. 

Treatment typically involves medication to stop the pregnancy from growing, or in more advanced cases, surgery. Your doctor will explain which approach is right for your specific situation.

An ectopic pregnancy is not something you caused, and it’s not something that could have been prevented. It’s a medical condition that requires medical care.

 

What Hope Clinic Can Do for You

At Hope Clinic in Hattiesburg, we offer free limited obstetric ultrasounds. This type of ultrasound can confirm whether your pregnancy is in the uterus, give you an idea of how far along you are, and check for a heartbeat.

We know you might not have made any decisions yet. That’s okay. You don’t have to have a plan to walk through our door. We’re here to make sure you have accurate information about what’s happening in your body so that whatever you decide, you’re making that choice with the full picture.

Our services are completely free and confidential. We don’t judge where you are in this process, and we’re not here to pressure you. We just want to make sure you’re safe.

If you’re newly pregnant and haven’t had an ultrasound yet, please don’t wait. Contact us today to schedule your free appointment.