A molar pregnancy occurs when a woman develops a benign growth or a non cancerous tumor in her uterus. In the molar pregnancy, the placenta also develops into a mass of abnormal cysts, which is why such a pregnancy can never be a viable one. There are two types of molar pregnancies; the first one is a complete molar pregnancy and the second kind is known as a partial molar pregnancy. When a woman suffers from a complete molar pregnancy, there is no genetic material from the mother present in the embryo. This means that in a complete molar pregnancy, the father’s sperm fertilizes an egg that is empty.
Therefore there is no embryo present in a complete molar pregnancy; instead there is only placental tissue present in the uterus. Because of this, the placenta begins to develop cysts in the form of grapelike formations, which fill up the uterus.
In the initial stages, complete molar pregnancy symptoms are not different from the symptoms of a regular pregnancy. However, over a period of time there are certain other symptoms that may appear include:
One of the first ways to diagnose a molar pregnancy is to check the levels of a hormone known as HCG. Complete molar pregnancy HCG levels are much higher, as compared to normal pregnancy HCG levels. Thereafter, an ultrasound test may also be recommended for a more accurate diagnosis.
Since a molar pregnancy is not like a normal pregnancy, it cannot be continued. Therefore, complete molar pregnancy treatment is aimed at the removal of the molar tissue, through the process of a D & C. after this process is complete, another HCG test is required. In fact, the doctor may need to monitor HCG levels for at least 6 months, just to ensure that there is no residual molar tissue left. After a woman has a molar pregnancy, she is usually advised to wait for at least a year, before she tries to become pregnant again.
A complete molar pregnancy can be quite a serious complication, which needs to be investigated and monitored by a doctor, as early as possible.
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