Is Ectopic Pregnancy Treatment and Abortion the same?
Published on: January 15, 2025
by: Gateway Staff
Abortion Information | Pregnancy Decisions

So what exactly is an ectopic pregnancy? And what does it have to do with abortion? Are they the same thing? Many people are confused how the overruling of Roe affects ectopic pregnancies.

Let’s break it down:

What is ectopic pregnancy? Planned Parenthood states on its website that, “ Ectopic pregnancy is when a pregnancy grows outside of your uterus. Ectopic pregnancies are rare but serious, and they need to be treated. Normal pregnancies develop inside your uterus after a fertilized egg travels through your fallopian tube and then attaches to your uterine lining. Ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilized egg attaches somewhere else in your body, usually in your fallopian tube — that’s why it’s sometimes called ‘tubal pregnancy.’”

This situation can be very dangerous for the mother if it goes untreated. Treatment options include: methotrexate injection, surgical removal of the fertilized egg (salpingostomy), surgical removal of the tube (salpingectomy) or, occasionally, close monitoring without treatment if there are signs the ectopic pregnancy may be miscarrying.

Ectopic pregnancies cannot survive and need to be treated immediately to save the life of the mother.

Treatment of ectopic pregnancy is not controversial among most physicians, and even the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG) affirms, “apart from very rare cases, ectopic pregnancy is a dangerous condition that requires that the pregnancy end, either by spontaneous demise of the embryo or by artificial removal of the pregnancy”.

Ectopic pregnancy is a rare condition that occurs only in about 2 out of 100 pregnancies, as stated on Planned Parenthood website. They also clarify that the medical procedures for terminating a viable pregnancy in the uterus are usually different from the medical procedures for terminating an ectopic pregnancy.

Rest assured, the overturning of Roe v Wade in no way interferes with the treatment of ectopic pregnancy by a medical professional and treatment for ectopic pregnancy is NOT considered an abortionAn abortion is the intentional termination of a viable intrauterine pregnancy.

If you think you might be pregnant, Gateway Women’s Care can offer you free and confidential services, including confirmation of pregnancy, gestational age, and viability through limited ultrasound for qualified clients.

Call Gateway Women’s Care to discuss your pregnancy options and if adoption is the right choice for you. We are here to help.

Raleigh – 919.833.0096
Durham – 919.251.9444
Chapel Hill- 919. 537.8220