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What are the causes of ectopic pregnancy?

Unfortunately, doctors cannot always determine the cause of an ectopic pregnancy. However, common risk factors are smoking, harmful medications, surgery and fallopian tube problems. An ectopic pregnancy happens when the fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the uterus. This usually occurs inside a pregnant mother’s fallopian tubes. This is almost always a life-threatening condition for the mother as the space the baby has implanted in is not large enough and will burst if the baby grows too large.

For smoking mums, they are five times more likely to have an ectopic pregnancy. This is because the nicotine in the cigarettes causes contractions inside a woman’s fallopian tubes. This may cause a blockage that keeps the embryo from continuing on to the uterus.

Women who regularly take hormone medicine are also at high risk. This is because hormonal medications can affect how the fallopian tubes work, causes the embryo to be stuck. Women who are taking fertility medication and get pregnant should discuss this possibility with their doctors right away.

Any type of surgery involving your fallopian tubes puts you at great risk for an ectopic pregnancy. In fact, there is a 50 percent chance of it occurring if you get pregnant after a tubal sterilization has been done.

Since 95 percent of all ectopic pregnancies involve the baby being stuck in the fallopian tubes, any sort of problem with this area of your body increases your chances. IUDs, endometriosis and pelvic infections can all affect the ability of your fallopian tubes to push the baby into the uterus.
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