Can an ectopic pregnancy be kept?

Written by Du Rui Xia

Obstetrics

Updated on June 30, 2025

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After diagnosing an ectopic pregnancy, it is not possible to continue the pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy refers to the implantation and development of a fertilized egg outside the uterine cavity. Other locations are not suitable for the growth and development of the fetus, as the space is limited. When the fertilized egg develops to a certain extent, it can cause rupture and bleeding. For patients, severe symptoms can lead to hemorrhagic shock, endangering the patient's life safety. Therefore, once an ectopic pregnancy is confirmed, timely conservative treatment should be administered, or surgical treatment can be performed.

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Written by Zhang Lu

Obstetrics

59sec

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What should I do about an ectopic pregnancy?

Ectopic pregnancy, as the name suggests, refers to the implantation of the gestational sac outside the uterine cavity, with the more common types including tubal pregnancy, ovarian pregnancy, and abdominal pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is mainly diagnosed through ultrasound and blood tests. If an ectopic pregnancy is confirmed or highly suspected, treatment should begin, primarily choosing between conservative medication treatment or surgical treatment based on the severity of the condition. 1. If the condition is mild, with HCG levels less than 1000 U/L and the mass volume smaller than 3 cm, conservative medication treatment can be chosen. 2. If the condition is severe, with a larger mass volume and significantly elevated HCG levels, surgical treatment is recommended. Currently, with the advancement of minimally invasive surgery, the majority of ectopic pregnancies can be treated using laparoscopy.

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Written by Yan Qiao

Obstetrics and Gynecology

56sec

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Will an IUD cause an ectopic pregnancy?

IUD insertion can cause ectopic pregnancy because it is a minor gynecological surgery and an invasive procedure. Any invasive operation can potentially trigger pelvic inflammatory disease. The occurrence of pelvic inflammatory disease can lead to inflammation of the fallopian tubes, which is one of the main causes of ectopic pregnancy. Moreover, not every patient is suitable for an IUD. These devices come in many shapes, and there should be an optimal match between the shape of the IUD and the size and form of the uterine cavity. If the IUD does not match the patient's uterine cavity size and shape, it may not effectively prevent pregnancy, thus increasing the risk of pregnancy with the IUD in place, including the occurrence of ectopic pregnancies. In conclusion, IUD insertion can lead to ectopic pregnancies.

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Written by Tang Mei Xiang

Obstetrics and Gynecology

41sec

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What is an ectopic pregnancy?

Ectopic pregnancy used to be commonly referred to as "宫外孕". In fact, it is known as ectopic pregnancy, which means that the fertilized egg implants outside the uterine cavity. A normal pregnancy occurs in the uterine cavity, but if it occurs outside the uterine cavity, it is called ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy includes tubal pregnancy, ovarian pregnancy, abdominal pregnancy, broad ligament pregnancy, cervical pregnancy, cornual pregnancy, etc. These are all types of ectopic pregnancies, with tubal pregnancy being the most common clinically.

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Written by Yue Hua

Obstetrics and Gynecology

47sec

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ectopic pregnancy early symptoms

First, there will be a cessation of menstruation, followed by a brief period of amenorrhea, and then irregular vaginal bleeding will occur. This vaginal bleeding is usually light and droplet-like, and the color is dark red. Additionally, most women will experience pain on one side of the lower abdomen, which manifests as a distension pain. At this time, because the ectopic pregnancy in the fallopian tube has not ruptured, the enlarging embryo causes the fallopian tube to expand, leading to spasms of the tube, and thus these symptoms occur. If the condition continues to progress, the fallopian tube may rupture, resulting in acute and severe pain on one side of the lower abdomen.

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Written by Tang Mei Xiang

Obstetrics and Gynecology

1min 13sec

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Early symptoms of ectopic pregnancy

The early symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy, where the pregnancy test shows implantation outside the uterine cavity, indicate an ectopic pregnancy. Depending on the type of ectopic pregnancy, whether there is a miscarriage at the site where the fertilized egg attaches, or whether there is a rupture, as well as the timing, duration, and volume of bleeding, the clinical manifestations can vary. In early tubal pregnancies, if there is no miscarriage or rupture, there are generally no specific clinical symptoms, meaning there is neither abdominal pain nor vaginal bleeding. However, as the condition progresses, some typical symptoms may appear, beginning with the cessation of menstruation. Then, abdominal pain may occur. If there is no rupture, the pain or soreness is typically localized to one side of the lower abdomen. If a rupture occurs, tearing pain will be followed by lower abdominal pain, abdominal tenderness, and rebound pain, potentially leading to a shock state.