The number of ectopic pregnancy deaths has doubled over the past five years, according to a recent ProPublica analysis of federal data. Almost 200 women have died from ectopic pregnancy between 2020 and 2025. While ectopic pregnancy deaths increased nationwide, the increase was greater in states with strict abortion bans.
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tubes. The pregnancy cannot develop normally outside of the uterus. If left untreated, the egg will continue to develop until the fallopian tubes rupture, leading to life-threatening internal bleeding.
Ectopic pregnancies are relatively rare, making up about 2% of all pregnancies, they are still the leading cause of death for women in their first trimester. Since hospitals are not required to report ectopic pregnancies, the exact number of cases is difficult to determine.
However, according to maternal health experts, women should not be dying from ectopic pregnancies. “A death related to ectopic pregnancy should really be a never event,” said Dr. Alice Abernathy, a Philadelphia-based OB-GYN.
One treatment for an ectopic pregnancy is when patients receive an injection of the cancer drug methotrexate, which will stop the cells from growing. Methotrexate can be used when the patient is medically stable and the ectopic pregnancy has not ruptured. If the fallopian tubes burst, emergency surgery is generally required.
In abortion-banned states, doctors can face harsh jail time for assisting in the termination of a pregnancy, regardless of how dire the situation is. This has led some doctors to refuse to treat women with ectopic pregnancies. In fact, 61% of OB-GYNs practicing in states where abortion is banned reported concerns about their legal risk when making decisions about patient care.
Diagnosing an ectopic pregnancy can also take time. Doctors typically use an ultrasound and blood tests to determine when a pregnancy is developing. In some cases, the embryo is not visible and doctors must order more blood tests, which can take a few days.
But when it comes to ectopic pregnancies, the longer the treatment is delayed, the greater the risk of tubal rupture and death.
In states where abortion is legal, patients can receive life-saving medical care within a few hours. This should be the case everywhere in the United States. Doctors should not have to choose between saving their patient or spending the rest of their lives in jail. Patients should not have to drive across state lines to receive basic healthcare. Women should not die from ectopic pregnancies.
