What is ectopic pregnancy?

Ectopic pregnancy refers specifically to the condition where a fertilized egg implants and begins to grow outside the uterine cavity. This is most commonly in the fallopian tube, but it can also occur in other areas such as the ovary, abdominal cavity, or cervix. The growth of the embryo in these locations is not viable and can lead to serious complications for the pregnant person, including internal bleeding and the need for medical intervention.

The other options describe different processes or conditions. For example, implantation of the egg in the uterus is the normal and desired outcome in a typical pregnancy, while fertilization occurring outside the body refers to in vitro fertilization, not ectopic pregnancy. A miscarriage in the first trimester does not reflect the location of implantation and is a different type of pregnancy complication entirely. Hence, the correct definition of ectopic pregnancy is the growth of a fertilized egg outside the normal site in the uterus.