Episode 40: What Do You Mean My Pregnancy is Ectopic?

The Whole Pineapple

Ectopic pregnancy is when the pregnancy implants outside the uterus, most often in the fallopian tubes. As much as 1-2 percent of pregnancies end up in this category, even when the pregnancy results from IVF.

In this episode, Ruby and Anne talk with Dr. Amy Criniti, another member of the Seattle Reproductive Medicine team, about some of the questions (and myths) out there about ectopic pregnancies.

Why are they so dangerous? If not caught early, the embryo can grow inside the tube. Unlike the uterus, the fallopian tubes aren’t meant to stretch to accommodate a growing embryo. Eventually, the tube will rupture and cause internal bleeding. Left untreated, an ectopic pregnancy can endanger the life of the pregnant person.

Can an ectopic pregnancy be “relocated”? Despite wishful thinking among some non-medical persons, no. An ectopic pregnancy, once disrupted, cannot reimplant elsewhere.

Does a “pregnancy of unknown location” always mean an ectopic pregnancy? Not necessarily, says Dr. Criniti; sometimes blood work can indicate there’s a pregnancy, but it’s not yet visible on an ultrasound. If the embryo can’t be located, the patient will be closely monitored until they’re sure the fertilized egg has implanted where it should.

How does an “implanted” pregnancy (like IVF) end up in the wrong place? We don’t entirely understand how the fertilized egg moves around before implantation, and short of attaching a tiny Go Pro, we may never know. But even an “implanted” pregnancy can move before attaching, though like ectopic pregnancies generally, the risk is pretty low.

In this age of conflict over reproduction, it’s important to know about the risks of ectopic pregnancy and what your choices are if you find yourself in that 1-2 percent.

More about Dr. Criniti: Dr. Criniti joined the medical team of SRM in 2006. Her clinical interests include fertility assessment, PCOS, age-related infertility, as well as the entire spectrum of fertility treatment. She currently teaches University of Washington medical students and is the Medical Director of the donor egg team. She was recognized in 2013, 2015, 2022 and 2023 as one of Seattle Magazine’s Top Doctors in infertility, as well as Seattle Metropolitan Magazine Top Doctor in 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019 and 2021.

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