Wakad, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune, care@sunmedhospital.com
Molar Pregnancy Treatment
A molar pregnancy is a rare but serious complication that occurs during early pregnancy. It happens when the tissue that would normally become the placenta instead forms abnormal growths. These growths may look like a cluster of grapes and can cause complications for both the mother and the baby, as there is usually no healthy fetal development.
At SunMed Hospital, we provide expert care for women experiencing molar pregnancies. Our experienced medical team offers comprehensive diagnosis, treatment options, and follow-up care, ensuring the well-being of the mother and future pregnancies. Our advanced facilities and compassionate approach guide you through each step with the utmost care and attention.
In a typical pregnancy, a fertilized egg implants in the uterus and develops into an embryo, which grows into a baby. In a molar pregnancy, the cells in the placenta grow abnormally instead of forming a normal embryo. This leads to the formation of a mass of cysts. There are two types of molar pregnancy:
The symptoms of a molar pregnancy can be quite similar to those of a normal early pregnancy, but a few distinctive signs could indicate a molar pregnancy. These include:
Molar pregnancies occur due to genetic abnormalities that happen during fertilization. Normally, in a typical pregnancy, the embryo receives 23 chromosomes from each parent, producing 46 chromosomes. These chromosomes carry the genetic information that guides the body's functions. In a molar pregnancy, there is a chromosomal imbalance. In a complete molar pregnancy, the egg has no chromosomes, and the embryo receives 23 chromosomes from the sperm. In a partial molar pregnancy, two sperm fertilize the egg, resulting in an embryo with 69 chromosomes. This genetic error prevents the pregnancy from progressing successfully.
To diagnose a molar pregnancy, healthcare providers typically use a combination of the following:
If a molar pregnancy is suspected, further tests will be performed to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment for a molar pregnancy is essential to prevent complications. Since the pregnancy is non-viable, the abnormal tissue needs to be removed. Treatment typically involves:
Currently, there are no known ways to completely prevent a molar pregnancy. However, women who have had one molar pregnancy are often advised to wait for a certain period (usually about a year) before trying to conceive again. This waiting period helps ensure that any abnormal tissue has been cleared from the body and reduces the risk of recurrence.
A molar pregnancy, while rare, can be a serious condition that requires prompt medical attention. While it is not always preventable, understanding the symptoms and seeking early diagnosis can help manage the condition effectively. Women who have experienced a molar pregnancy are monitored closely in subsequent pregnancies to ensure their health and safety.
The treatment of choice is the surgical removal of the molar tissue through a procedure called suction curettage. This ensures the removal of the abnormal growth and helps prevent complications.
The protocol involves the surgical evacuation of the molar tissue, followed by regular monitoring of hCG levels to confirm that the abnormal tissue is completely removed and no further complications occur.
If there is persistent trophoblastic disease after surgery, chemotherapy drugs like methotrexate or actinomycin D are used to treat any remaining abnormal tissue.
No, surgical intervention is necessary to remove the molar tissue. Non-surgical treatments are not effective in completely removing the abnormal growth.
Molar pregnancies occur due to genetic abnormalities during fertilization, leading to an imbalance in the chromosomes of the developing embryo.
The risks include heavy bleeding, infection, and the possibility of developing persistent trophoblastic disease, which may require chemotherapy and careful follow-up.
A molar pregnancy might not be immediately visible at 5 weeks, but an ultrasound may reveal signs like abnormal growth or the absence of a normal fetal heartbeat at this stage.
hCG levels in a molar pregnancy are typically elevated much higher than expected for the gestational age, which is a key indicator for diagnosis and monitoring of the condition.
care@sunmedhospital.com