Ectopic pregnancies can occur in a number of abnormal locations, each with different characteristic growth patterns and treatment options.
Ectopic pregnancies are dangerous .
The uterus is uniquely designed to accommodate this development, so that when a pregnancy begins to grow in other surrounding structures the vascular communication may be inadequate. Furthermore, as the pregnancy grows in size the uterus dramatically changes shape and size. When the ectopic pregnancy outgrows the limits of the space enclosing it, there can be life threatening bleeding. Ectopic pregnancies were initially described in the 11th century and for a long time were universally fatal events for the mother.