What is a molar pregnancy?

Could you please explain what a molar pregnancy is?

A molar pregnancy, or hydatidiform mole, is a pregnancy gone awry, resulting in a tumor of the placenta. The chorionic villi of the placenta grow into a grape-like bunch of cysts within the uterus. Molar pregnancies occur in one in 1200 pregnancies in the U.S. and 80 percent are benign. Molar pregnancies are more common in Asian women and women who are over age 40.

Most molar pregnancies are unable to support a fetus and are usually diagnosed in the first trimester. Most women with a molar pregnancy have vaginal bleeding, excessive nausea and vomiting, and some will even pass a grape-like cyst. Molar pregnancies generally grow much faster than a normal pregnancy, yet a fetal heartbeat is not heard. The swollen villi of the placenta produce a markedly elevated level of the pregnancy hormone, beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (B-hCG). An ultrasound examination can confirm the diagnosis. A molar pregnancy may also be diagnosed following a dilation and curettage (D&C) for a miscarriage or missed abortion.

When the diagnosis of molar pregnancy is made, the abnormal pregnancy tissue is removed by a D&C, and serial blood tests are performed to document falling hormone levels. The B-hCG hormone level is monitored every one to two weeks until a normal level is reached. The hormone level is then checked every few months for up to a year, to be certain that the disease is in remission and that no malignant changes have occurred.

Once remission has been confirmed, it's safe to attempt another pregnancy. Early ultrasound should be performed with any subsequent pregnancies, however, because women with a history of molar pregnancy have an increased risk of a second molar pregnancy.

I hope this information is helpful.

Stay well!

Labels: Pregnancy health