The molar pregnancy can be complete mole or partial mole. In United States of America the incidence of this complication of the pregnancy is about 1 to 1000 cases, in Europe the incidence of this complication of the pregnancy is about 1 to 2000 cases and is more common in other zones like Southeast Asia and Mexico.
The exact cause of this complication is not known exactly, it is believed to be a nutritional deficit like protein or carotene, or an ovular defect.
The physic process of molar pregnancy occurs when the sperm duplicates itself because the egg is either lost or inactivated and lacking genetic information, so because of that there is no fetus, no placenta, no fluid and no amniotic membranes and the uterus is rather filled with the mole that resembles a bunch of grapes. Because there is no placenta in the uterus to receive the blood the women will experience bleeding into the uterine cavity or vaginal bleeding.
The partial mole is caused in the majority of cases by two sperm who fertilize the same egg. In the case of partial mole pregnancy, partial placenta may form, membranes or even a fetus, but the fetus usually has genetic problems.
The main symptoms of the partial mole pregnancy are:
- Increased nausea and vomiting;
- Vaginal bleeding;
- Increased hCG levels;
- Rapidly growing uterus;
- Pregnancy induced hypertension prior to 24 weeks;
- No fetal movement or heart tone detected;
- Hyperthyroidism;
- Pulmonary Embolization;
If you experience any of the symptoms above, consult your health care provider.
Most of the partial molar pregnancies end spontaneously. The partial molar pregnancy is diagnosed by the health care providers when the woman shows them the passes tissues that appear to be grape like, at the ultrasound because of the “snow storm effect" that appears on the screen, the rapid rise of the serial hCG hormone level indicate that further studies should be done because something is wrong.
If doesn’t end for itself, the molar pregnancy is usually removed from the uterus with a D&C procedure. The induction of labor is not a treatment option for the molar pregnancy because of the increased risk of hemorrhage.
After the end of the molar pregnancy, the hCG level needs to be taken several times a week, then once a week until the hCG level is normal for three weeks, then the hCG level needs to be taken every month for 6 months and every two months until a total of one year has passed.
A high level of hCG hormone level combined with an enlarging uterus could indicate a choriocarcinoma.
The health care providers recommend women who have suffered from molar pregnancy not to get pregnant for a period of approximately one year and any contraceptive method can be used in this period with the exception of the intrauterine devices.
Women who have the Rh negative they should receive the Rhogam shot.