means to transfer ectopic pregnancies. The baby cannot survive and neither can the mother live if actions are not taken to terminate the pregnancy. Rupture of the fallopian tube (or elsewhere) requires emergency and immediate surgery to resolve the swiftly and sometimes mysteriously evolving issue.

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Ectopic pregnancies are the leading cause of death in early pregnancy-- it's a problem! I believe our response to treatment and understanding of symptoms could lower ectopic death rates.

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Symptoms may be subtle and come and go, such as pain and out-of-the-blue period. Bleeding with a positive pregnancy test is a red flag. Yet, some people experience a little spotting and no pain. They may think they're fine or wait too long to get treatment. Most rely on instinct, that gut feeling that something's not right, motivating them to seek care. Messages can contradict when the situation is misdiagnosed as a normal pregnancy. This can occur when finding the location of the ectopic pregnancy itself is a struggle. Since the pregnancy is so early, catching it soon enough can be tricky because a gestational sack may not be visible on an ultrasound in early stages. To make matters more complex, normal pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness, tenderness and cramping are also symptoms of an ectopic. Additionally, ectopic pregnancy symptoms mimic a miscarriage (unexpected blood), appendicitis (pain on one side of your belly), even a stomach flu (nausea, vomiting). How can ya tell?! Well, waiting until it's seriously hurting is not the best option. Yet, sometimes patients aren't taken seriously when cared for early on, they may doubt themselves, become barred from admittance for treatment or neglected careful follow-up. Overwhelming pain may get the attention of care, but the window for preventative measures (like medication) by that time may have passed. Pain may surge all at once and cause the person to become faint or unstable once internal bleeding has made an effect. 

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This condition is treatable. It just has to be diagnosed early enough to do so. An ultrasound, monitoring hormone levels and gauging symptoms are ways to find out if it's ectopic. Delays and miscommunication can fuddle this time-sensitive process. For example, getting in for an ultrasound you have to warrant one. Mild symptoms can mask the urgency to get serious help. Mixed emotions about a wanted pregnancy can make matters delicate. However, acting promptly with methotrexate to stop the rapidly diving cells (terminating the pregnancy) can protect the mother before it gets really serious (internally bleed). This injection of medicine is one way of treatment. The other is surgery. Neglecting a patient by sending them home to hemorrhage happens more than you'd think. Combine this with a general lack of understanding about this condition by the public. Those affected struggle to advocate for themselves at times, because they are perhaps hearing about what an ectopic pregnancy means, for the first time. We've improved in science from sonography to the invention of laparoscopy to sonography, in this day and age but it still needs improvement. 

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If medical intervention is carried out in time, the mother survives but still suffers consequences that stay with her. Not only does she undergo the physical trauma of majorly invasive treatment, she faced a scare of losing her own life. All the while, she mourns the loss of a baby soon after a positive pregnancy result. The test are positive, the baby is growing, but cannot survive. She could learn she had a baby and lost it-- all at once. Future fertility can be affected or hindered by damage and internal scarring increases risk of another ectopic. Mental health issues like PTSD, anxiety and depression are a common thing women deal with following an ectopic. They need support!

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The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust in the UK is a leader in supporting individuals in the aftermath of an ectopic pregnancy and through it. There seems to exist little support organizations in the USA spreading awareness or aiding in support surrounding this specific sort of loss. Lesser developed countries have exponentially more barriers. My main motivation is to start the conversation. I am neither a medical professional nor expert, but draw from personal experiences as well as resources and word of mouth from other survivors. Each voice shared opens further insight into this condition. Thank you for reading.

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Olivia