EWTN Catholic Q&A

Ectopic Pregnancy
Question from Daniel Bernardo on 01-18-2013:

Hello,

I know someone who has an ectopic pregnancy. Is there a way to treat this? I read somewhere that the foetus must be surgically removed. I also read that this type of pregnancy never survives.

Thank you so much for your time.

Answer by Judie Brown on 01-18-2013:

Daniel

Here are the facts about the ethical removal of an ectopic pregnancy:

SALPINGECTOMY: a surgical treatment with the intended effect of removing the infected area of the tube where, sadly, the embryo is located. Being surrounded by infection in a fallopian tube is deadly to the embryo but the intended effect of the surgery - salpingectomy - is not to kill the baby but to save the lives of both. Sadly, the baby dies.