How to Diagnose a Molar Pregnancy

A molar pregnancy, or abnormal tissue growth in the uterus, is a serious complication of pregnancy that occurs in approximately one out of every thousand pregnancies. Often, genetic defects cause molar pregnancies, which can either be partial or complete. The early diagnosis of a molar pregnancy is critical because the overall health of the mother may be threatened.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Look for physical symptoms of a possible molar pregnancy. Such symptoms can include severe cramping, nausea and vomiting, as well as vaginal bleeding. Brown or red blood is common with a molar pregnancy.
2. Check any tissue that's passed from the vagina. If this tissue looks similar to clusters of grapes, molar pregnancy may be suspected.
3. Consent to a pelvic exam. During this exam, your doctor will check the size of the uterus, which is usually larger than expected in cases of molar pregnancy. The ovaries may be enlarged as well, due to cysts and abnormal tissue growth.
4. Have a vaginal ultrasound to check for the presence of abnormal tissue growth in the uterus. In women with a molar pregnancy, a doctor will see growths that look like clusters of grapes or a snowstorm appearance on the ultrasound screen.
5. Monitor hCG levels with blood tests. When a molar pregnancy is suspected, blood will be drawn over several days to check for hCG levels. Women with molar pregnancies will often have rapid rises in hCG levels over repeated blood tests. The hCG levels in a woman with a molar pregnancy are higher than those of a woman with a normal pregnancy.
6. Determine if a fetus is present in the uterus using an ultrasound. In cases of a complete mole, there will be no fetus present in the woman's uterus. Checking for fetal movement and a fetal heartbeat can also help determine if a fetus is present in the uterus.

Tips & Warnings

• Human chorionic gonadotropin is abbreviated hCG.
• In some cases of molar pregnancy, the uterus may be smaller than what is expected.
• In cases of a partial molar pregnancy, hCG levels may be lower than normal.
• The mole in a molar pregnancy may be referred to as a hydatidiform mole.
• Molar pregnancies can develop into gestational trophoblastic disease or cancer. Therefore, it is important to diagnose a molar pregnancy right away so treatment can begin.
• The information in this article is not meant to serve as a substitute for regular medical advice and care. If you have any questions or concerns about your own health, talk to your personal doctor.