Home Video Menu
Home Prev Next Menu
Better experience in portrait mode.

10 Characteristics of Molar Pregnancy, Increase Pregnancy Complications and Causes

kapanlagi
10 Characteristics of Molar Pregnancy, Increase Pregnancy Complications and Causes Illustration (Credit: Freepik)

Kapanlagi.com - Characteristics of molar pregnancy can be seen after an abnormal fertilization process occurs. Usually, human cells contain 23 pairs of chromosomes. One chromosome in each pair comes from the father and mother.

Molar pregnancy is considered abnormal because the egg is fertilized by one or two sperm and all genetic material from the father is empty. In this condition, the chromosomes from the mother's egg are inactive and the father's chromosomes are duplicated.

The characteristics of

Illustration (Credit: Freepik)

Initially, molar pregnancy is difficult to detect because its symptoms are similar to a normal pregnancy. The detailed characteristics of molar pregnancy will be detected by a doctor during routine check-ups. However, there are several things that you need to pay attention to since the early stages of pregnancy that may indicate signs of molar pregnancy, such as the following:

1. Pelvic Bone Pain

Back pain in women is often associated with reproductive organ conditions. Therefore, you need to be careful when experiencing back pain early in pregnancy. Consulting a doctor can be the right solution to determine the cause, whether it is related to signs of molar pregnancy or not.

2. Grape-shaped Cysts

The release of brownish fluid or clots resembling grapes from the vagina is something that you need to pay attention to in the early stages of pregnancy as it is one of the signs of molar pregnancy.

3. Severe Nausea and Vomiting

This symptom is often experienced by pregnant women, but you need to be cautious if the nausea and vomiting become more severe, especially if the frequency increases. This condition can progress to hyperemesis gravidarum.

4. Vaginal Bleeding

The most characteristic sign of a molar pregnancy is bleeding in the first trimester or around the eighth week. The color of the blood can range from bright red to dark brown.

5. Enlarged Ovaries

The enlargement of the ovaries caused by a molar pregnancy occurs because the HCG levels are too high. Although usually not felt because they are located in the right and left abdomen, you may feel pressure and fullness in that area.

6. Anemia

Anemia is a condition in which a person has a low hemoglobin level. In women, hemoglobin is considered normal when it is between 12-16 g/dL. When experiencing a molar pregnancy and anemia at the same time, you may appear paler and more weak.

7. Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism can occur between the ages of 20-40. It increases the levels of the thyroid hormone in the body and causes disruptions in the body's metabolism. Symptoms of this condition include irregular heartbeat, excessive sweating, fatigue, and nervousness.

8. Increased HCG

Another characteristic of a molar pregnancy is an increase in HCG levels, which makes the pregnancy symptoms feel more severe. Even, usually the size of the content can be larger than it should be.

9. Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure (hypertension) and organ damage. Although not always present, high blood pressure in the first trimester or early second trimester can be a characteristic of a molar pregnancy that needs to be watched out for. Don't forget to regularly check blood pressure at the beginning of pregnancy.

10. Rapid Uterine Growth

Rapid growth of the uterus is the most recognizable characteristic of a molar pregnancy. This causes the size of the uterus to not correspond to the gestational age. The abdomen appears larger compared to a normal pregnancy.

2. Causes of Molar Pregnancy

Illustration (Credit: Freepik)

1. Sperm Fails to Fertilize the Egg Properly

If this happens, a group of cells that should form the placenta instead turn into abnormal tissue. Instead of a fetus, fluid-filled tissue will grow and fill the space inside the uterus. These fluid-filled cells are called trophoblasts.

Although they both go through the fertilization process initially, a normal pregnancy progresses with the growth of a baby, while a molar pregnancy progresses with the growth of a tumor. This benign tumor growth can still cause pregnancy symptoms. Therefore, many women may think they are pregnant when they are not.

2. Chromosomal Abnormalities

Signs of molar pregnancy can also occur when there are chromosomal abnormalities after fertilization. This abnormality occurs when the genetic material in the fertilized egg is not correct, as explained above.

The genetic structure of these chromosomes carries information that tells the body's cells what to do. In molar pregnancy, there is an extra chromosome from the father. This causes the fertilized egg to be unable to survive until several weeks after conception.

3. Risk Factors and Complications of Molar Pregnancy

Illustration (Credit: Freepik)

In addition to the characteristics of a molar pregnancy, you should also pay attention to the risk factors for a woman experiencing a molar pregnancy as follows.

1. Age

Pregnancy planning needs to consider the age of the prospective mother. This is because molar pregnancies are more common in women who are pregnant under the age of 20 or over the age of 35.

2. Ethnicity

Molar pregnancies are also reported to occur twice as often in Asian women.

3. Previous Molar Pregnancy

If a woman has had a previous molar pregnancy, this increases the risk of the condition recurring.

4. Previous Miscarriage

A previous miscarriage experienced by a woman can be a factor that increases her risk of experiencing a molar pregnancy.

5. Infertility Issues

Couples who experience infertility issues have a greater risk factor for this condition.

Molar Pregnancy Complications

After knowing the characteristics of a molar pregnancy, you also need to be aware of the possible complications that may occur as follows.

There are several complications that can arise after experiencing a molar pregnancy (hydatidiform mole), including:

1. Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia

As mentioned above, this complication occurs more frequently in complete molar pregnancies, characterized by persistently high levels of HCG after curettage. Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia occurs when abnormal cells invade the middle layer of the uterine wall.

2. Choriocarcinoma

Choriocarcinoma is a form of cancer that arises from gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. Although rare, this cancer is more commonly experienced by patients with complete molar pregnancies.

3. Recurrence of molar pregnancy

Patients with molar pregnancies are at risk of experiencing a recurrence in subsequent pregnancies. This risk is higher for patients who have experienced multiple molar pregnancies or previous miscarriages.

4. Treatment for Molar Pregnancy

Despite the sadness you may feel due to experiencing a non-viable pregnancy, there are still several treatment options that can be pursued, including the following.

1. Curettage

If a molar pregnancy does not progress to a miscarriage, the doctor will recommend a curettage. During the procedure, the doctor will dilate the cervix and remove the abnormal tissue using specialized instruments. This procedure is the best option if the patient plans to conceive again.

2. Hysterectomy

A hysterectomy is performed on someone who no longer plans to conceive or is at risk of developing serious conditions such as gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. This is done because a hysterectomy involves the removal of the uterus.

3. Recovery

After a curettage, there is still a possibility of residual abnormal cells in the uterus. The mole will usually disappear within a few months. However, in some cases, further treatment may be needed to remove it.

To ensure that the abnormal cells have been eliminated, patients need to undergo HCG level examinations, through blood and urine tests. The hormone levels should return to normal after the removal of abnormal tissue.

However, if the hormone levels remain high, it could be a sign that there are still abnormal cells in the uterus.

KLovers, those are the characteristics of a molar pregnancy along with explanations of the possible complications. This can increase your awareness of factors that can increase the risk of molar pregnancy, which can potentially be experienced by anyone.

(Source: Liputan6.com, Alodokter.com)

 

(kpl/ans)

Swipe Up Next Article

Cobain For You Page (FYP) Yang kamu suka ada di sini,
lihat isinya

Buka FYP
8 Mild Stroke Symptoms in Women, Pay Attention to the Causes and Complaints Arising

8 Mild Stroke Symptoms in Women, Pay Attention to the Causes and Complaints Arising

Mild stroke symptoms in women actually have distinctive characteristics, but they are often not realized because they appear similar to other diseases that may be considered harmless. However, stroke is the result of disrupted blood supply to the brain, causing insufficient oxygen and nutrient supply to the tissues.

READ MORE icon-hand
8 Mild Stroke Symptoms in Women, Pay Attention to the Causes and Complaints Arising