Symptoms of Molar Pregnancy

molar pregnancy

Molar pregnancy is a rare complication in the coursework of pregnancy, arising when the sperm and egg meet and fertilization occurs, but the cells do not grow at a rate that can support pregnancy. In normal pregnancies, the total number of chromosomes is 46, the father and brother each contributing 23 chromosomes. If the wrong number of chromosomes meets, there will be abnormality in the cells that grow to become placenta.

There's of types: complete and incomplete. In the whole molar pregnancy, the mother's chromosomes are absent and the father's chromosomes are doubled. In this condition, it is impossible for the placenta to grow normally. In lieu, a immense mass of cyst, visible on ultrasound scan, will be formed. In addition, the embryo and the amniotic sac won't form.

molar pregnancy

Factors increasing the risk of a woman having a pregnancy as such are: a history of molar pregnancy, being above 40 years of age, having a deficiency of vitamin A (beta-carotene), or a history of miscarriage. The signs of molar pregnancy include vaginal bleeding that is dark brown or red like (orange) in color, extreme vomiting and nausea, as well as a swollen stomach.

In incomplete pregnancy, fertilization occurs with 23 chromosomes from the father as well as a doubled set of chromosomes from the brother, giving a total of 63 chromosomes. Here, normal fetal growth is impossible. The placenta grows but the fetus does not create because it lacks the right genetic sequence to survive.

Treatment for this is dependent on assessment by a doctor. Usually, minor surgical procedure called dilatation and curettage will be performed to clear all the molar tissue from the uterus. Sometimes the operation may be carried out in phases. In other cases, the patient may basically be prescribed a pill to swallow, or a gel to put in the vagina, which causes the molar tissue to be expelled.



molar pregnancy