Q&A
Would An Ectopic Pregnancy Show Up In Pregnancy Test?
Question:
Would an ectopic pregnancy give a positive result in a pregnancy test? And what are the signs and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy?
Yes, an ectopic pregnancy will give a positive pregnancy test, although in rare cases home pregnancy tests will show up as negative for a few weeks or appear to be faint. It is also possible to experience other typical early pregnancy signs and symptoms such as a missed period, breast tenderness and nausea. However, an ectopic pregnancy is not viable and requires immediate medical attention.
A tubal pregnancy -- the most common type of ectopic pregnancy -- happens when a fertilized egg gets stuck in the fallopian tube on its way to the uterus. The fertilized egg can't survive, and if left untreated, the growing ectopic tissue can rupture the fallopian tube and lead to life-threatening complications.
Abdominal or pelvic pain (which is usually one-sided but may be more generalized) and light vaginal bleeding are often the first warning signs of an ectopic pregnancy. If you experience severe pain accompanied by vaginal bleeding, or extreme lightheadedness or fainting, seek emergency medical help.
