At conception the fertilized ovum implants itself to the uterine wall where it receives its blood supply and also has ample room to develop and grow. However, nearly 1% of pregnancies are of an ectopic nature with the vast majority of embryos selecting the fallopian tubes.  Other places where the ovum may implant itself include the cervix, ovaries or even the abdomen. An ectopic pregnancy may develop into a medical emergency. If left untreated, it could cause tissue scarring leading to infertility; it may cause rupture of the fallopian tubes if it is of the tubal kind; and the rupture of the tube can cause either infertility or even death.

An ectopic pregnancy in the fallopian tube becomes an irritant to the tube and is discharged as an unsuccessful pregnancy. If this condition occurs early in the pregnancy, the woman may not even realize that she had conceived.

Since ectopic pregnancies normally terminate themselves, they are not a cause for concern except in cases where they remain undetected. Early pregnancy ultra sound enables early diagnosis. This has resulted in reduction in the number of fatalities occurring due to ectopic pregnancies. However where diagnostic facilities are not easily available and the dependence is on untrained mid-wives, the threat is greater.

The risk factors favoring ectopic pregnancy occurs include smoking, a previous ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, tubal surgery and ligation. Current IUD use and having multiple sexual partners seem to increase the risk of ectopic pregnancies. Advancing age is yet another factor that increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy.

Ectopic pregnancies are symptomatic. The early warning signs of ectopic pregnancies are easy to overlook therefore an undetected ectopic pregnancy runs the risk of turning into a medical emergency. The early warning signs include:

Pain and inflammation in the lower abdomen- Lower abdominal pain may be felt as a strong stomach cramp that is difficult to bear because there seems to be no release from it despite drastic efforts to release it.

Pain while urinating is another symptom of ectopic pregnancy. However, this kind of condition can be mistaken for thrush or urinary tract infection.

Pain and discomfort in the abdominal area of an unspecified nature may be mistaken for gas and indigestion and is therefore ignored.

Since an ectopic pregnancy is a failing pregnancy, and may not even have been detected, vaginal bleeding is taken for granted to be a menstruation. Generally the accompanying cramps and bleeding are mild enough to be overlooked.

Pain accompanying bowel movement is attributed to hemmoroidal pain or constipation.

However, more severe symptoms usually alert the doctor to the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy. These include:

Onset of lower back pain, abdominal pain and pain in the pelvic region.
Shoulder pain of an unexplained nature.
Development of cramps and tenderness on one side of the pelvis.
The pain starts all of a sudden and keeps getting worse.

Ectopic pregnancies mimic conditions of appendicitis, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, Kidney back pain, gastrointestinal disorders and other gynecological problems.