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Warning-sign checks

Ectopic pregnancy: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency medical care now for:

    • Sudden or severe abdominal or pelvic pain
    • Fainting, collapse, severe dizziness, or marked weakness
    • Shoulder-tip pain with abdominal pain or faintness
    • Looking very pale, feeling clammy, or having a rapid heartbeat
    • Heavy bleeding or symptoms that are worsening quickly

    Use local emergency services.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Get same-day medical advice if you might be pregnant and have one-sided pelvic or abdominal pain, unusual vaginal bleeding, shoulder-tip pain, or increasing pressure when opening your bowels.

    This is especially important after a previous ectopic pregnancy, even without a positive pregnancy test.

    If you are being monitored for a pregnancy of unknown location or confirmed ectopic pregnancy, promptly report new or worsening symptoms.

    A previously reassuring hCG result does not make severe symptoms safe to ignore.

The article also says

Do not drive yourself if you feel faint or seriously unwell.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Ectopic pregnancy. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.