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| |    Treatment of an Ectopic Pregnancy by Elisa Ross, MD reviewed by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. For the well-being of the mother, it is very important that an ectopic pregnancy be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. While there are several options, there is unfortunately no way to save the pregnancy or transplant the misplaced egg into the uterus. No intervention necessary If an ectopic pregnancy is already showing signs of miscarriage and is resolving on its own, a healthcare practitioner may decide to watch and wait for spontaneous healing. This type of ectopic pregnancy is sometimes referred to as a tubal abortion, since abortion is the technical word for any miscarriage before 20 weeks. Methotrexate If a tubal pregnancy is still small, the mother can take an injection of a medicine called Methotrexate, which stops the placenta from growing, thus removing the source of nutrients to the misplaced egg. After that happens, the body's own healing mechanisms usually clear the tissue from the fallopian tube. Methotrexate is only used in unruptured ectopic pregnancies, and close follow-up is necessary for a few weeks after the treatment. Surgery If the pregnancy seems to be far along, or if there is significant internal bleeding, an operation may be needed to quickly and completely remove the pregnancy and stop any bleeding. Many times the surgery can be performed through a small incision in the navel, using telescopic instruments. Other times a larger incision is needed. Surgical removal of a tubal pregnancy may be accomplished by removing the entire fallopian tube, or by opening the tube and removing the tissue. For women who do not want more children, the tube is usually removed. The decision about whether to try to save the tube is made during the surgery based on the appearance of the tube, taking into account the woman's wishes about future pregnancies. Follow-up If a woman has an ectopic pregnancy, it is important for her to seek medical care and to follow up with medical recommendations. Her practitioner can help her and her partner decide which procedure is best in their individual situation.
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