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How does an Ectopic Pregnancy Happen?
The sperm after ejaculation from the male travel
from the vagina, through the cervix, uterus and fallopian tubes to reach
the ovary where fertilization takes place. From the ovary the egg once
fertilized, will travel back through the fallopian tube into the uterus
to implant. The major cause of an ectopic is when the egg for some
reason is unable to reach the uterus. Most commonly the fertilized egg
(zygote) stops in the fallopian tube and implants there resulting in an
ectopic pregnancy.
The narrow
fallopian tubes are not designed to hold a growing embryo and the
fertilized egg cannot develop normally, in most cases. Eventually, the
thin walls of the tube stretch to the point of rupturing. If this
happens, a woman is in danger of life threatening blood loss
(hemorrhage). |
