Today is the time to think about ectopic pregnancy and the women and families who are or have been affected.
An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilised egg implants itself outside of the womb, usually in one of the fallopian tubes. This can pose a risk to life of the mother and this type of pregnancy tragically cannot be successfully carried to term and will not result in the birth of a live baby.
With one in 80 pregnancies being ectopic, this could impact anyone who gets pregnant and from any background.
The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust are running a campaign to raise awareness of this pregnancy complication and highlight that whilst “over 12,000 people have ectopic pregnancies diagnosed each year. The true number could be over 30,000.”
Sadly, there are on average two deaths per year in the UK from ectopic pregnancy so it is important to raise awareness and educate. And ectopic pregnancies can often have a negative impact on mental health.
The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust campaign also emphasises that “Following an ectopic pregnancy, one in three women might experience distressing symptoms of post-traumatic stress, anxiety or depression.”
We encourage you to watch this video to learn about the importance of the campaign. Please spread the word that ‘Every Experience Matters’.
You can learn more about the symptoms here.