Ectopic pregnancy

I had a positive pregnancy test but it turned out to be ectopic and my ovary had to be removed. I still haven’t really figured out what happened?

You have been unlucky because ectopic pregnancy is rare. It occurs when the ovum is implanted by the sperm outside the uterus. This is usually because the movement of the ovum towards the uterus is hindered for some reason. Often scarring from previous infection that you might not even know about, or endometriosis can cause the obstructions. Scarring from surgery or previous ectopic pregnancies can also cause problems. Smokers also run a higher risk of ectopic pregnancies. Now that you have had one ectopic pregnancy you run a higher risk of a repeat, so be sure that when you fall pregnant next time that you inform your doctor about this.

The reason your ovary was removed was because the pregnancy could have ruptured the tube as it grew because of the lack of space, and this can be life threatening. However it is not all bad news. Studies show that a significant proportion of women diagnosed with ectopic pregnancies, go on to have successful pregnancies within a year.