Ectopic means “out of place”, wherein the fertilized egg that is supposed to get implanted in the uterus, gets implanted elsewhere i.e. in the fallopian tubes, ovary or cervix.

Normally the uterus is the ideal place for implantation, because it provides the required nutrition for the growth of the fertilized egg that eventually turns into a baby after nine months of nurturance. It also expands with the growth of the egg.

The other areas i.e. the fallopian tube, ovary or cervix do not provide the space i.e. provided by the uterus for the pregnancy to develop. As the fetus grows the organ also will grow and eventually burst the organ that is carrying it. This can cause severe bleeding and endanger the Mother’s life. This kind of pregnancy ends up in early termination and does not end up in birth.

Causes

An ectopic pregnancy usually occurs due to the inability of the fertilized egg to travel down from the fallopian tube to the uterus. Also, sometimes an infection of the fallopian tubes will block the passage of the egg to the uterus. A very common cause of blockage of the fallopian tubes is gonorrhea or chlamydia, a Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.

Not only this endometriosis-a condition where cells from the uterus implant elsewhere and grow out of the uterus, and previous fallopian surgeries also tend to block the fertilized egg from moving to the uterus. Moreover, birth defects or abnormal growths can alter the shape of the fallopian tube and disrupt the egg’s movement to the uterus.

It is therefore very important that one have a thorough checkup and rule out any possible chance and occurrences of an Ectopic pregnancy.