Information on Molar Pregnancy

A molar pregnancy happens when an abnormal mass forms in the uterus instead of a normal embryo. Molar pregnancies are also known as trophoblastic disease or hydatidiform mole. Molar pregnancies are rare and occur in 1 out of 2,000 pregnancies yearly in the United States.

Types

There are two types of molar pregnancies: complete molar and partial molar. In a partial molar, pieces of embryonic or fetal tissue can be identified. In a complete, there is no fetal tissue, only an unidentifiable mass.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a molar pregnancy include: vaginal bleeding, extreme nausea and vomiting, increased hCG levels, early high blood pressure and no fetal movement or heart tones.

Detection

The two ways to identify a molar pregnancy is through a pelvic exam or an ultrasound.

Treatment

Most molar pregnancies will spontaneously abort the abnormal tissues. If it has grown too large, it may have to be removed by suction curettage, dilation and evacuation (D & C).

Considerations

If you have had a molar pregnancy, it is best to avoid further pregnancies for one year. This gives the tissues time to repair themselves.

Warning

You have a slight chance, under 2 percent, of having another molar pregnancy if the first one resolved on its own without complications.

References

• WedMd