02/03/2026
✨ Treatment & Management of an Ectopic Pregnancy ✨
When I suspect or am able to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy in my office using my point of care fetal ultrasound, I promptly send my patients to the hospital for acute management. Though it requires emergent attention at the hospital in case of rupture, the treatment of an ectopic pregnancy does not end in the hospital. Typically I remain very involved in the patient’s care for weeks following an ectopic pregnancy for all the physical and emotional healing and support that is required. We also work together to build a plan for trying to conceive again and decreasing the risk of ectopic pregnancy and/or miscarriage going forward.
💊 Methotrexate is a medication commonly used for the treatment of un-ruptured ectopic pregnancies. Its mechanism of action, competitive inhibition of folate-dependent steps in nucleic acid synthesis, effectively stops the growth of the rapidly dividing ectopic trophoblast. This stops the ectopic pregnancy from continuing to grow and terminates the pregnancy.
Ectopic pregnancies are not viable and will never result in a healthy full term pregnancy. This life-saving medication helps prevent a ruptured Fallopian tube which could result in significant blood loss and harm to the mother. This medication can also prevent the need for an invasive surgery that would be required to remove the Fallopian tube and ectopic pregnancy altogether, which can lead to further complications when attempting to fall pregnant again.
⏳ However, after using this medication couples must wait 12 weeks before trying to conceive again. It is important to ensure the medication is fully out of your system, and that the folate inhibiting effect of the medication is not going to pose a risk to a subsequent developing pregnancy.
If you have suffered an ectopic pregnancy and you either need more reliable contraception or you would like to prepare for a healthy pregnancy in the future, book a visit today! 🌙
