Understanding Molar Pregnancy

A molar pregnancy is an uncommon pregnancy complication that only occurs in approximately one in every two thousand pregnancies. It is more common in places like Mexico and Southeast Asia; but the rate of molar pregnancy in Europe is comparable to the rate in the United States.

There are two types of molar pregnancy, complete mole and partial mole. While no one is certain of the cause of molar pregnancies, it is believed to be caused by a type of nutritional deficiency.

The Types Of Molar Pregnancies

The two types of molar pregnancy are complete molar and partial molar pregnancy. A complete mole pregnancy happens when egg is deficient, or lacking the center, or nucleus. The sperm that would otherwise fertilize the egg are then left to duplicate themselves. Generally no fetus results from a complete molar pregnancy.

In a complete mole pregnancy, will usually resemble a bunch of grapes. These grape like globules fill with fluid, and grow at an alarmingly rapid rate. This rapid growth often makes a complete mole pregnancy difficult to diagnose until an ultrasound is done. Due to the fact that no placenta ever develops with a complete molar pregnancy, however, a woman may experience bleeding.

A partial mole pregnancy occurs when two separate sperm fertilize the same egg. With a partial molar pregnancy, there may result an actual fetus and placenta; unfortunately, the resulting fetus rarely survives the pregnancy.

Symptoms of molar pregnancies may include extreme nausea, vaginal bleeding, enlarged uterus, hypertension, and increased hCG levels.

Diagnosis And Treatment Of Molar Pregnancy

Typically, a molar pregnancy will result in a miscarriage. Any woman who passes grape like tissues during her pregnancy, should immediately show them to her doctor. He or she will then, most likely, diagnose a molar pregnancy. An ultrasound is the most common method of diagnosis for molar pregnancies. If a woman is suffering from a molar pregnancy, the ultrasound will usually present as a white static type screen.

Unfortunately, there is no actual treatment for a molar pregnancy, as most end in miscarriage. If a molar pregnancy has not terminated itself after a determined time frame, a D & C (dilation and cutterage) is done to remove the molar tissue from the uterus. A woman who has experienced a molar pregnancy may be offered the option of a hysterectomy; or if she wishes to try to become pregnant in the future, she will generally be put under careful watch and treatment by her doctor to monitor her Rh and hCG levels, for at least one year.

If you suspect that you may be suffering from a molar pregnancy, contact your doctor immediately.

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