Ectopic pregnancy

Alternative names:

abdominal pregnancy; cervical pregnancy; tubal pregnancy

Prevention:

Forms of ectopic pregnancy, other than tubal, are probably not preventable, however, tubal pregnancies, which make up the majority of ectopic pregnancies, may be prevented in some cases by avoiding those conditions that might cause scarring of the Fallopian tubes. Such prevention may include:

• avoiding risk factors for PID (multiple partners, intercourse without a condom, and contracting sexually transmitted diseases [STDs])
• early diagnosis and adequate treatment of STDs
• early diagnosis and adequate treatment of salpingitis and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)