Ectopic Pregnancy

A normal pregnancy begins with a fertilized egg that attaches to the lining of the woman’s uterus. In an ectopic pregnancy the egg attaches outside of the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tube. Ectopic pregnancies can also occur in the ovary, abdominal cavity or the cervix.

During these pregnancies the fertilized egg won’t survive due to the inability to proceed normally outside of the uterus.

The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that an ectopic pregnancy “cannot result in the survival of a baby and entails a very substantial risk of maternal death or disability.” Therefore, treatment for the condition is the only option, but the type of treatment is where the debate lies.

There are many misconceptions about how to treat an ectopic pregnancy, with many arguing that abortion is the only option—but this is false. Treatment for an ectopic pregnancy is not the same thing as an abortion. The medical definition of abortion is “the removal of an embryo and placenta from the uterus.” The uterus is the only place a fertilized egg can grow into a baby, and during an ectopic pregnancy, the egg never reaches the uterus. Therefore, it has not developed into a baby and cannot be deemed an abortion once removed.

The majority of women who experience an ectopic pregnancy planned the pregnancy or wanted to carry the baby to term, not terminate it. An abortion involves the intent to end a developing life, whereas treatment for an ectopic pregnancy involves safely removing the egg to protect the woman’s life, with no intent to cause harm.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/symptoms-causes/syc-20372088

Source: http://utswmed.org/medblog/truth-about-ectopic-pregnancy-care/