What is Molar Pregnancy (Hydatidiform Mole)?

What is Molar Pregnancy (Hydatidiform Mole)?

Molar pregnancy (or hydatidiform mole) is a rare and false form of pregnancy caused by an excessive growth of tissue in the uterus. This tissue is the result of a failed fertilization, meaning that an empty egg has been fertilized by a sperm. Read further to learn the most important things you need to know about this condition. Claim Your 20 Free Pregnancy Tests – Click Here

Symptoms

What is tricky about this form of pregnancy is that its symptoms coincide perfectly with those of a real pregnancy. Nevertheless, there are some clues that might help in finding the problem and that will determine whether you should go to a doctor as soon as possible.

The condition can become a threat to our life if we do not undergo regular blood tests to look for signs of trophoblastic disease, which can rarely lead to cancer. The most common symptoms are:

Vaginal bleeding
Uterus larger than normal
Thyroid disorder
Excessive sweating
Severe nausea and vomiting
High blood pressure
Vaginal discharge of tissue that is shaped like grapes

Types of molar pregnancies

Depending on the severity of the disease, your body can grow either a complete molar pregnancy or a partial one. The complete hydatidiform mole develops when a genetic error occurs, causing the sperm to grow on its own, while the partial one grows when an egg is fertilized by two sperms, causing the placenta to swell more rapidly than usual, and “faking” the pregnancy.

What to do

The most important step you have to make, if you suspect a Hydatidiform mole, is to go to a doctor who should:

examine your pelvis
get your blood tests
use ultrasound scanning
measure the amounts of pregnancy hormones

Treatment options

Once the doctor has detected the Hydatidiform mole, women are able to choose which procedure to follow:

vacuum aspiration or suction
Dilation
medication
wait until the condition will spontaneously disappear (not recommended)

Fortunately, this type of pregnancy is very rare, but nevertheless, women should be aware of the risks and be well-informed about the history of their pregnancy, especially if they had a miscarriage, if they are over the age of 40, if they had a prior Hydatidiform mole or of they have a diet in low vitamins, especially in carotene. If you suspect you suffer from this condition, do not ignore it. Go to a doctor immediately, as it can lead to serious problems.

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Maureen Stephens, BS, RN
Maureen Stephens, BS, RN | ConceiveEasy
Ms. Stephens has spent over twenty years in the healthcare world, specializing in obstretical and medical/surgical nursing. She joined ConceiveEasy as she has a strong interest in educating and empowering women and promoting fertility awareness.

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