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Nov 22, 2024By Shyamli Chattopadhyay
Also known as the hydatidiform mole, molar pregnancy is considered a rare pregnancy complication. Usually, the cells normally develop into the placenta; however, in this case, an abnormal growth of trophoblasts could be observed.
Read below this article to learn about the different types, symptoms, complications, diagnosis, and treatment of molar pregnancy.
Types of Molar Pregnancy
Molar pregnancy can be categorized into
- Complete molar pregnancy occurs when an egg with no genetic material is fertilized. The placental tissues turn into fluid-filled cysts, and the fetal tissues are absent.
- Partial molar pregnancy happens when an egg is fertilized by two sperm or a single sperm that duplicates its chromosomes. In such cases, the embryo is abnormal and is not viable.
Symptoms
It is important to notice the symptoms in the initial phase to avoid any complications during late pregnancy. Here are some of the few indications that may determine the possibility of molar pregnancy.
- Vaginal bleeding during the first trimester
- Severe nausea and vomiting
- Rapidly enlarging uterus than what is expected for that gestational age.
- Very high hCG levels
- Absence of fetal movements or heartbeat
- Grape-like cysts passing down the vagina
- Pelvic pain
Risk Factors
The possibility of molar pregnancy to occur can increase with the following risk factors
- Getting pregnant under the age of 20 or above 35
- An history of molar pregnancy
- History of miscarriages
- Vitamin A deficiency
- Low carotene
Complications of Molar Pregnancy
Molar pregnancy is a rare condition, and it may have a potential impact, including
- Hyperthyroidism, which is stimulated due to high hCG levels
- Severe preeclampsia
- Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia, a type of cancer
Diagnosis
Ultrasound is the primary aspect when it comes to identifying the patterns in complete moles or abnormal placenta. While the fetal tissue is absent most of the time, in some cases, it may be there. The doctor may also recommend a blood test to check for increased hCG levels, which are typically higher than during a during a regular pregnancy.
Treatment
Molar pregnancy can be treated by performing suction curettage surgery to remove the abnormal tissue from the uterus and prevent any complications. In some cases, your healthcare provider may also recommend hysterectomy, i.e., the removal of the uterus, if you’re not planning any future pregnancies. In rare cases, when molar tissue turns cancerous, chemotherapy is needed.
Takeaway
Since molar pregnancy is a traumatic experience for expecting women, it is important to understand the complications in depth and get in contact with your healthcare provider if you notice something is going wrong.
