IntroductionEach year in the United States, there are six million child births. Of the six million births in the United States, 12,000 are believed to be due to ectopic pregnancies. One in fifty women is likely to have an ectopic pregnancy (Diagnosis, Pregnancy). An ectopic pregnancy is a complication during the first trimester of pregnancy and normally symptoms begin to appear between the periods of five to fourteen weeks (Diagnosis). Ectopic means “in an abnormal position” (Ectopic). An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the egg is fertilized and begins to develop somewhere other than the uterus. Diagnosing an Ectopic Pregnancy To find out if a woman's pregnancy has become ectopic, the doctor will do different things, such as a pelvic exam, blood test, or ultrasound. A pelvic exam would determine the size of your uterus and detect growths in the stomach. The doctor would inform the woman of any abnormalities, but he would also have to perform further tests to test positive. A blood test would determine pregnancy hormone levels. After a few days, the hormone should increase at a steady rate, otherwise it would suggest abnormalities during the pregnancy. Finally, an ultrasound would clearly show the doctor the uterus. If the baby is missing, it would mean an ectopic (ectopic) pregnancy. Causes of an ectopic pregnancy The most common reason for an ectopic pregnancy is when the fallopian tube is blocked and it causes an obstacle that prevents the egg from getting to its destination and, therefore, it becomes embedded in the walls of the fallopian tubes (ectopic). The fertilized egg can develop in places such as the ovary, cervix, or even a C-section scar. The most likely location...... middle of paper...... Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/baby/tc/ectopic-pregnancy-topic-overviewEctopic Pregnancy - American Family Physician. (nd). Retrieved from http://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0215/p1080.htmlEctopic pregnancy | University of Maryland Medical Center. (nd). Retrieved from http://umm.edu/health/medical/pregnancy/staying-healthy-during-pregnancy/ectopic-pregnancYDiagnosis and management of ectopic pregnancy. (nd). Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3213855/Healthy Outlook: Don't Give Up After a Tubal Pregnancy - Contra Costa Health Services. (nd). Retrieved from http://cchealth.org/column/2012-0606-healthy-outlook.phpThe mother who risked everything to have her ectopic baby | Online mail. (nd). Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2008476/The-mother-risked-ectopic-baby.html (inspiration article)