Q: What is an Ectopic Pregnancy? 

A: An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that occurs outside the uterine cavity and usually in the fallopian tube.

As many as 1 in 100 pregnancies is an ectopic pregnancy.  If mismanaged this is a potentially life threatening problem. 

The Ectopic Pregnancy Foundation (EPF) has been established with the aim of improving the care of women with a diagnosis, or possible diagnosis, of ectopic pregnancy. We hope to reduce the morbidity and maternal mortality caused by this common condition.

We have divided the website into ‘patients' and ‘professionals', although either may view the other section(s).

For patients the website provides information on what an ectopic pregnancy is, plus the risk factors, symptoms, investigations and treatment options. We have the answers to 15 frequently asked questions (FAQs) in a large number of languages, and these are available for download.  There is also a patient forum and a 24 hour patient helpline (charged only at local rates).

For professionals we provide overviews and perspectives from various health professionals including laparoscopic surgeons, early pregnancy specialists and ultrasonographers.

What else does the Ectopic Pregnancy Foundation do?

We send posters to A&E departments throughout the UK, twice yearly, to increase awareness of ectopic pregnancy, which is sometimes overlooked when a diagnosis is being made.(View Poster)

We run a course for gynaecologists on the diagnosis and laparoscopic management of ectopic pregnancy, which provides hands-on experience in laparoscopic techniques. I have written an objective structured assessment of technical skills (OSATS) for the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists on ectopic pregnancy. This will be used by the RCOG as part of a skills module. We also encourage research in ectopic pregnancy.

To promote the interest of ectopic pregnancy in medical students, we have established the Lawson Tait Prize in Gynaecology.  This is open to all final year medical students at Imperial College, and is awarded for the best essay on a topic related to ectopic pregnancy.  This prize will be presented annually at the Summer Ball. 

The Ectopic Pregnancy Foundation is dedicated to the memory of Mr Lawson Tait - 'the forgotten gynaecologist' - who, in his short life, achieved so much to improve the health of women.