An ectopic pregnancy usually cannot survive, as it will be unable to grow outside the womb. Survival is extremely rare.
Immediate medical attention is needed for an ectopic pregnancy. If an ectopic pregnancy continues to grow, it can burst open and cause severe bleeding. This can result in severe complications that may be fatal.
Medication or surgery are the two methods that treat an ectopic pregnancy. Surgery will usually be laparoscopic, and the surgeon will perform the surgery at the hospital under general anesthesia.
With an ectopic pregnancy, you may miss your period. However, some people may experience symptoms similar to periods.
For example, you could have watery or dark brown vaginal bleeding. It’s usually different from your regular period and often starts and stops.
Ectopic pregnancies almost always test positive on a pregnancy test. Only a few cases have been reported to test negative for hCG — this is the hormone produced by the placenta that is used in pregnancy tests.
However, it is not impossible to experience an ectopic pregnancy with a positive pregnancy test. A 2021 study suggests doctors should not exclude the possibility that a woman with acute abdominal pain has an ectopic pregnancy if they are of reproductive age.