How Dangerous is an Ectopic Pregnancy?

An ectopic pregnancy is a medical condition that occurs in less than 2% of pregnancies in North America. Left unattended, an ectopic pregnancy is a serious medical condition and can be fatal. For women, it is important to know what an ectopic pregnancy is, what symptoms you may experience, what the treatment options are, and how an ectopic pregnancy may effect you emotionally.

What is An Ectopic pregnancy?

An ectopic pregnancy is one that is growing in the wrong place. While normally the baby grows inside the uterus or womb, an ectopic pregnancy can be in the fallopian tube (where the egg and sperm meet), ovary, cervix, or the abdominal cavity (belly). Ectopic pregnancies in the fallopian tube are much more common than in other locations and are known also as tubal pregnancy.

What are the Symptoms of an Ectopic Pregnancy?

You MAY have a tubal pregnancy if you are pregnant AND have one or more of the following:
Severe pain centered on one side of the abdomen or pelvis
Lightheadedness, dizziness, or blackouts
Abnormally low blood pressure
The passage of tissue (not just blood clots) from your vagina, as in the case of miscarriage
Bleeding from the vagina may or may not be present

Is there a Test that Confirms I’m Having an Ectopic Pregnancy?

The doctor may perform several tests to help confirm an ectopic pregnancy since many of the symptoms can be confusing. You may have blood tests to determine quantitative hCG levels, and another pregnancy test. You may also have a pelvic exam. Tubal pregnancy may be confirmed by an ultrasound showing a baby outside the womb or showing no baby in the womb despite a large numberhCG of pregnancy hormones in your blood. Direct observation of the fallopian tube during surgery may be necessary to make the diagnosis.

What Could Cause an Ectopic Pregnancy? Am I at Risk?

In most cases, the cause of tubal pregnancy is not known and there’s nothing you could have done to prevent it. However, a woman is more likely to have a tubal pregnancy if she:

Has had a previous ectopic pregnancy
Has had an infection of the fallopian tubes or certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as gonorrhea or chlamydia
Has had a pelvic infection
Gets pregnant while an IUD is inside her uterus
Has had a tubal ligation

What Factors Probably DO NOT Cause an Ectopic Pregnancy?

You may be surprised to learn that these factors do not cause tubal pregnancy:

Emotional stress
Birth control pills taken accidentally in early pregnancy
Work environments and duties
Tubal Pregnancies are Medical Emergencies

If you suspect you may have a tubal pregnancy you need to get medical treatment immediately from a physician or to the emergency room of a nearby hospital. It’s a medical emergency. Failure to get help may allow rapid bleeding into your abdomen from a ruptured internal organ, causing an occasional patient to die from shock (dangerously low blood pressure). At Collage, if you come in for an ultrasound and our sonographer should uncover an ectopic pregnancy, we would advise and assist you with getting medical treatment right away. We provide clients with information and paperwork for you to take immediately to the hospital or ER.

What Treatment is Provided for Ectopic Pregnancies?

Typically tubal pregnancy is either proved or ruled out by the tests mentioned above. A fertilized egg can’t survive outside the womb, and can’t be put back inside it. In order to protect the woman’s life, the pregnancy must be terminated and sometimes the fallopian tubes need to be removed through surgery. With early detection of tubal pregnancies, termination of the pregnancy through administering medication is often the treatment and this allows the body to absorb the tissue, with no surgery. Once an ectopic pregnancy is confirmed, you should be informed that pregnancy termination is the only option for survival due to the physical dangers.

Emotions and Feelings after an Ectopic Pregnancy

It’s helpful for you to understand that you may experience a wide range of physical changes and emotions. At Collage, we understand that you may even feel relieved to no longer be pregnant. On the other hand, you may feel guilty or have a sense of loss, even if your pregnancy was unexpected. These are all normal feelings even if you were unsure of whether you planned to carry your baby to term or not. It may be beneficial for you to talk to someone in order to sort out these feelings. We can offer emotional support to you and those close to you if you need to come in. Feel free to call and set up an appointment. We’ll be here for you.

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How Does Abortion End My Pregnancy?

May 29, 2026

If you’ve recently learned you are pregnant unexpectedly, we understand how overwhelming this might feel right now. If you're considering abortion as an option, taking time to understand how the process works is important so you can make an informed decision. Collage is here to help provide you with confidential support and abortion information at no cost. We offer a safe space, free of judgment, where you can think calmly about your options, receive lab-quality pregnancy testing, and get a complimentary ultrasound so you can get the facts around your pregnancy and learn what options are available to you. Schedule your free appointment today. Medical Abortion Medical abortion, also known as the abortion pill, ends a pregnancy by using two drugs taken at different times. The first pill, mifepristone, works by blocking progesterone and causes the embryo’s death. The second drug, called misoprostol, is usually taken a day or two after and causes the uterus to contract, expelling the pregnancy tissue through cramping and bleeding. Common side effects can include bleeding and cramping, bleeding with blood clots, and a low-grade fever. Medical abortion is only approved through ten weeks of gestation by the FDA . Follow-up care is typically recommended after a medical abortion to make sure the process is complete. Surgical Abortion Surgical abortion terminates a pregnancy in a clinic or medical setting and involves removing pregnancy tissue from the uterus through a suction device or a tool called a curette. This can also be called dilation and evacuation or dilation and curettage . Common side effects of surgical abortions are bleeding and cramps. You may also have a late or early period as your uterus has to build a new lining after the procedure. What Are The Risks Of Abortion? Medical and surgical abortion both have possible risks that you should be aware of. Some women may also experience emotional responses afterward. Complications that can arise from abortion are: Infection. Scar tissue on the uterine wall, known as Asherman's syndrome . Heavy bleeding that may not stop. Diarrhea and digestive pain. An incomplete abortion. Confirm Your Pregnancy With An Ultrasound Before making a pregnancy decision, it is important to verify your pregnancy with an ultrasound. An ultrasound provides important medical details such as how far along you are, the location of the pregnancy, and whether a heartbeat is detected. These details are important since the abortion pill is not FDA-approved for over ten weeks, and it also rules out ectopic pregnancy, which requires urgent medical attention. As many as 26% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage, and you can still get a positive pregnancy test result for days or weeks after a miscarriage because it takes time for hCG to leave the body. An ultrasound will confirm whether or not you have miscarried. We provide no-cost pregnancy services at our center, including limited OB ultrasounds, so you can get informed about your pregnancy and options. Get Pregnancy Support at College If you're considering your next step after learning you are unexpectedly pregnant, we are here to give you a safe place to ask questions and learn more about your options. Collage provides confidential appointments and no-cost pregnancy services, including medical-grade pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and STD testing . You don’t have to figure this out alone. We are here to listen. Schedule your free confidential appointment to learn more about your options. Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services.

What Are the Side Effects of the Abortion Pill?

April 21, 2026

Facing an unexpected pregnancy brings up a lot of questions, and it makes complete sense that you want to understand every option before deciding anything. If you're considering the abortion pill, knowing what it actually involves, including its side effects, is an important part of making a decision based on the facts. You don't have to sort through this alone. Schedule a no-cost appointment with Collage today to get your questions answered. How the Abortion Pill Works The abortion pill uses two drugs taken in sequence. The first, mifepristone, blocks progesterone, a hormone that supports the growth and development of the pregnancy. Without it, the pregnancy detaches from the uterine lining. The second drug, misoprostol, is typically taken at home and causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy tissue. Heavy bleeding and cramping will be part of this process, and some women have described the pain as more severe than they anticipated. Side Effects to Know Beyond bleeding and cramping, the abortion pill can also cause these side effects : Upset stomach Vomiting Diarrhea Headache Fever Chills These side effects vary from woman to woman, which is one reason having a healthcare provider involved matters. Without medical oversight, it can be difficult to know what's within the range of normal and what requires immediate attention. Your personal health history also plays a role in how your body responds. Speaking with a medical professional before proceeding is an important step in protecting your well-being. Why an Ultrasound Matters First Before considering any pregnancy option, an ultrasound provides information that a pregnancy test simply cannot. It can confirm whether the pregnancy is progressing, rule out an ectopic pregnancy , and tell you how far along you are. The FDA approves the abortion pill only through 10 weeks gestation, making that last detail a critical piece of information for your safety. We're Here for You Whatever you're feeling right now, there’s no pressure here. At Collage, we genuinely care about you and want to make sure you have everything you need to make a sound decision. We offer lab-quality pregnancy testing and limited obstetrical ultrasounds, and our team is ready to talk through all your options, parenting, adoption, and abortion, in a warm, supportive environment. Schedule your no-cost appointment today. We're so glad you reached out. Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services. All abortion information in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.

3 Things to Know if You Are Considering Mail-Order Abortion

March 26, 2026

Facing an unexpected pregnancy can bring a lot of emotions, and often, a sense of urgency to make a decision quickly. You may have seen options online to order abortion pills by mail and wondered if it’s a simple solution. Before making a decision, it’s important to understand how this option could affect your health and what steps you can take to make a fully informed decision. 1. Your Health Should Always Come First Mail-order abortion often skips important medical safeguards. In many cases, there is no in-person evaluation before receiving the drugs. That means key health factors, such as your medical history and potential risks, will not be fully considered. There can also be uncertainty about the source of the drugs, including how they were handled, stored, or dosed. In fact, the FDA does not recommend this option because the drugs’ quality, safety, and effectiveness cannot be guaranteed. Taking time to understand your health first is a smart and proactive way to protect yourself. 2. You Need Clear Answers About Your Pregnancy A pregnancy test alone doesn’t give you the full picture. Before considering abortion, it’s important to confirm details about your pregnancy through an ultrasound. An ultrasound can tell you: How far along are you? Whether the pregnancy is developing (or if you’ve miscarried ) Where the pregnancy is located These details matter more than you might think. Abortion pills are FDA-approved only through 10 weeks of gestation, and without accurate dating, it’s possible to miscalculate how far along you are. An ultrasound can also detect an ectopic pregnancy , which occurs outside the uterus and requires immediate medical attention. Abortion pills will not treat this condition. What’s more, if you’ve experienced a miscarriage, you may require medical follow-up to prevent complications. Getting these details first helps ensure your safety. We offer limited OB ultrasounds following positive lab-quality pregnancy testing with us. 3. It’s Important to Understand the Process and Risks Mail-order abortion may sound straightforward, but it’s important to know what it may actually involve. The process includes significant cramping and bleeding as the body expels the pregnancy, with some women describing the pain as being unexpectedly severe . Other side effects can include: Nausea or vomiting Fever or chills Diarrhea Headaches There are also potential risks , such as heavy bleeding, infection, or an incomplete abortion that may require additional medical care. Without in-person support, it can be difficult to know what’s expected and when something may need medical attention. You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone When everything feels overwhelming, it can help to take a moment to evaluate your next steps and get the information you need. At Collage, we provide no-cost, confidential services so you can ask questions, gather accurate information, and explore your options at your own pace in a one-on-one setting. Schedule your appointment today. Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services. All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.