Molar Pregnancy

A molar pregnancy is not a true pregnancy, but rather it is a gestational trophoblastic disease. In the U.S., it can occur between 1/1000 and 1/2000 pregnancies and when it does, it can be devastating to excited new parents.

How does a Molar Pregnancy Occur?

While we may never completely understand why molar pregnancies occur, we do know how it occurs. In general there are two types of molar pregnancies:

• Complete Molar Pregnancy: This molar pregnancy occurs when the nucleus of the egg is lost and the sperm duplicates itself to fill in the gaps. This creates a rapidly growing group of fluid filled vesicles that can cause the uterus to grow at a rapid rate. Since there is no fetus and no placenta, bleeding into the uterine cavity can occur.

• Partial Molar Pregnancy: (the most common) This molar pregnancy occurs when 2 sperm fertilize the egg at the same time. In this situation, there may be a fetus present, but there are usually genetic abnormalities present.

What are the symptoms of a Molar Pregnancy:

• nausea and vomiting

• bleeding

• Raised HCG levels

• Uterus that is larger than it should be

• No fetal heart tone

How will a Molar Pregnancy be Diagnosed?

In the majority of cases, the molar pregnancy will terminate itself and a spontaneous miscarriage will occur. Sometimes, an early ultrasound can be used to determine the presence of a molar pregnancy. In some cases, the rising levels of HCG may alert the OBGYN that a molar pregnancy could be taking place. When this occurs, further testing may be done to diagnose the molar pregnancy.

What is the treatment of a Molar Pregnancy?

If the Molar Pregnancy has not terminated in its own, your OBGYN may wish to do a D&C to extract the mole. Due to the increase of hemorrhage, inducing labor is not advised. After the Molar Pregnancy is terminated, HCG levels need to be monitored for months for a total of one year and future pregnancies are not advised for one year.

Are there any complications that can arise from a Molar Pregnancy?

In some situations, complications can occur after a molar pregnancy. Persistent tissue can be found in follow ups after a molar pregnancy. This is usually malignant tissue and it is known as a Gestational Throphoblastic Neoplasia. Luckily, it is the most curable cancer in gynecology and extremely sensitive to chemotheraphy.

Recovery after a Molar Pregnancy:

 After a Molar Pregnancy, women may be left with intense feelings of loss. Even though the pregnancy wasn't considered “normal”, the feelings of loss may be just as intense. For weeks, women with molar pregnancies feel and think that they are pregnant and get excited, tell family and friends and begin to look ahead to the future. When a molar pregnancy is finally confirmed, the devastation can be harder than one may imagine. Combine the loss of the pregnancy with the possibility of dealing with cancer and you understand why many women experience emotional turmoil at this time.

Compiled using information from the following sources and sites:

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/molarpregnancy.html

http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1189.asp#head7