What is an ectopic pregnancy and should I be worried about this?

If someone with an ectopic pregnancy uses abortion pills, there will be little to no bleeding.

An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that develops outside the uterus, most commonly inside the Fallopian tubes, but sometimes in the ovaries or abdomen. Ectopic pregnancies are very rare - they happen in less than 2% of pregnancies. They are considered medical emergencies that always require treatment, either with medications or surgery, because if left untreated they can burst the Fallopian tube and this can become extremely dangerous, leading to severe pain and internal bleeding.

Ectopic pregnancies can be seen on an ultrasound, and they are generally discovered before 8 weeks of pregnancy. People have higher risk an ectopic pregnancy if: they got pregnant while using an IUD, have had an ectopic pregnancy in the past, they have scarring from past infections or surgery on the reproductive organs, or have scarring after a ruptured appendix.

It is not currently recommended to have an ultrasound before using abortion pills because the chance of an ectopic pregnancy is so low. Some signs of an ectopic pregnancy which has burst are sudden or ongoing severe abdominal pain, feeling light-headed or fainting, and shoulder pain. In this case it is important to get medical care right away. Ectopic pregnancies are treated everywhere, even in places where abortion is severely restricted. ³¹