Buzz
In recent years, several states have been working on or passing bills aimed at banning abortion. A notable example is a recent bill in Ohio, which contains a provision that appears to require doctors to 'reimplant' an ectopic pregnancy—a medical procedure that does not exist. What is an ectopic pregnancy, and why is the idea of 'reimplanting' it impossible? Let's dive in.
What exactly is an ectopic pregnancy?
Typically, after an egg is fertilized, it starts developing and, within a few days, attaches to the lining of the uterus. This process is crucial as it provides the developing embryo with a blood supply necessary for continued growth.
As the embryo develops, the uterus naturally expands. However, in some cases, a pregnancy may implant in the fallopian tube, an organ that cannot stretch to accommodate the growing embryo. While ectopic pregnancies can happen in other locations, the fallopian tube is the most common. If the embryo remains there, the fallopian tube may rupture, leading to life-threatening internal bleeding. The rupture can occur early in the pregnancy since the fallopian tube is about the size of a strand of spaghetti. This may happen before you even realize you are pregnant.
An ectopic pregnancy is a severe and often fatal condition if left untreated, with a fallopian tube rupture being a medical emergency.
How are ectopic pregnancies typically managed?
If the fallopian tube ruptures, immediate surgery is required to stop the bleeding and save the patient's life. If the rupture hasn't occurred yet but an ectopic pregnancy is detected, it must be removed.
According to guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the first course of treatment often involves medication. The usual drug prescribed is methotrexate, which halts cell division. (This same drug is also used as chemotherapy for cancer.) If the treatment is successful, the embryo ceases to divide and is reabsorbed by the body.
If the medication is ineffective or cannot be used (as methotrexate has significant side effects and is not safe for individuals with certain health conditions), the next option is surgery. A surgeon may attempt to remove the embryo from the fallopian tube, or, in some cases, remove the fallopian tube entirely.
What happens to the embryo?
Unfortunately, the pregnancy comes to an end at this point.
The embryo cannot remain in the fallopian tube and continue developing because the tube simply cannot support it. (Though exceedingly rare, there are a few case reports of pregnancies that implanted in the abdominal cavity and continued to develop, but this is a medical anomaly.)
Once your doctor diagnoses an ectopic pregnancy, it must be removed. After removal, there is no way to reimplant it. There is no procedure to 'reimplant' an ectopic pregnancy into the uterus, as medical professionals have had to repeatedly explain to reporters following the Ohio bill. Such a procedure simply doesn't exist. Once the embryo is removed, the pregnancy is over.
This means that someone diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy faces a situation similar to someone who has experienced a miscarriage. It's heartbreaking if the pregnancy was desired. And it's particularly cruel for anti-abortion activists to present a fictitious medical procedure as a false hope.
