Diagnosis of Ectopic pregnancy

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A urine test for pregnancy can tell you if an egg has been fertilised, but it doesnâ€™t tell you whether the egg has implanted in the womb or elsewhere.

The doctor will also do an internal vaginal examination to feel for tenderness and swelling.

If you have symptoms of ectopic pregnancy, you may have a blood test to measure blood levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). This is a hormone that is produced in pregnancy, but there are lower than normal amounts of HCG in the blood if your pregnancy is ectopic.

A transvaginal (through the vagina) ultrasound scan can sometimes confirm an ectopic pregnancy but if the pregnancy is very early, it might not be clear, so you may need a repeat scan a few days later.

If the diagnosis has still not been confirmed, a laparoscopy may be performed. This is a direct examination of the womb and fallopian tubes using a viewing tube passed through a small opening in the wall of the abdomen.