What Is an Ectopic Pregnancy?

November 11, 2026

Pregnancy begins with a fertilized egg, but for a pregnancy to develop normally, the egg must implant inside the uterus. Sometimes, the egg implants somewhere else. This is called an ectopic pregnancy, a serious condition that can become life-threatening without medical treatment.

An ectopic pregnancy can be especially difficult to recognize early on because you may initially have the same symptoms as any other pregnancy. Understanding the warning signs can help you know when to seek care.

Elevate Women’s Center is here to help you if you think you are pregnant. We offer free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds so you can find out more about how your pregnancy is developing. Ultrasounds are offered on a limited basis due to high demand.

Schedule your confidential appointment today and take the next step with confidence.

The Warning Signs

Early symptoms can be subtle, and some women have no noticeable symptoms at first. According to Mayo Clinic, early warning signs may include light vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain.

Other symptoms can include:

• Pain on one side of your lower abdomen or pelvis
• Vaginal bleeding or spotting
• Shoulder pain
• Dizziness, weakness, or fainting

If an ectopic pregnancy ruptures, it can cause severe internal bleeding. Seek emergency medical care immediately if you experience sudden or severe abdominal pain, shoulder pain, extreme dizziness, or fainting.

What Causes an Ectopic Pregnancy?

In a typical pregnancy, the fertilized egg travels through a fallopian tube before implanting in the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy often occurs when the egg becomes stuck along the way, sometimes because a fallopian tube has been damaged or narrowed.

Risk factors include a previous ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, untreated STDs, previous fallopian tube surgery, and certain fertility treatments.

However, Cleveland Clinic reports that up to 50% of women who experience an ectopic pregnancy have no known risk factors. It can happen even when you have no reason to expect a complication.

How an Ectopic Pregnancy Is Detected

A positive pregnancy test confirms that hCG, a pregnancy hormone, has been detected. It cannot show where the pregnancy is developing.

To investigate a suspected ectopic pregnancy, a healthcare provider may use an ultrasound to examine the uterus and surrounding structures, along with blood tests that measure hCG levels. These tests may need to be repeated if the pregnancy is too early to locate clearly. 

An ectopic pregnancy cannot develop normally, and treatment is necessary to protect the woman’s health and prevent life-threatening complications. Depending on the circumstances, treatment may involve medication or surgery.

At Elevate Women’s Center, we offer free ultrasounds to help you learn more about your pregnancy. While we cannot diagnose an ectopic pregnancy, an ultrasound may reveal findings that raise concern and require further medical evaluation.

If you receive a positive pregnancy test with us, we can determine your eligibility for an ultrasound based on your specific situation and current availability of this service.

If you are experiencing emergency symptoms, seek immediate medical care rather than waiting for an appointment.

Get Support at Elevate Women’s Center

A positive pregnancy test can bring questions you never expected to face, and knowing what is happening with your pregnancy is an important place to start.

At Elevate Women’s Center, we offer free pregnancy services, information about your options, and confidential support throughout your pregnancy.

You don’t have to navigate your questions alone. Schedule an appointment to learn more about your pregnancy and the resources available to you.