What is a Molar Pregnancy (Hydatidiform Mole)?

There are two types of molar pregnancy (hydatidiform mole): complete molar pregnancy (complete hydatidiform mole) and partial molar pregnancy (parital hydatidiform mole).  A complete molar pregnancy (complete hydatidiform mole) occurs when a sperm fertilized an "empty egg".  Due to the fact that there is no maternal genetic material there is no fetus, there is just abnormal placental cells that proliferate.  Because the placenta is formed hCG is produced and is usually higher then expected.  A partial molar pregnancy (partial hydatidiform mole) is when a fertilized egg produces both a fetal parts and abnormal proliferative cells.  These abnormal cells will destroy the fetus in a short amount of time.  The diagnosis of a molar pregnancy (hydatidiform mole) is usaully considered after fetal heart tones are not heard, the hCG levels are unusually high, and / or the size of the uterus does not match with the gestational age of the fetus.  a ultrasound will then be performed which will show no fetal heart tones and a cluster of cells which has been described as a "cluster of grapes". 

Signs and Symptoms of Molar Pregnancy (Hydatidiform Mole)

The most common sign and symtom of a molar pregnancy (hydatidiform mole) is nause and / or vomiting due to the abnormally elevated serum hCG levels.  Other signs and symptoms of a molar pregnancy (hydatidiform mole) include dark brown vaginal spotting, lower abdominal pain and/ or cramping, and inability to hear or see fetal heart tones.  Usually the diagnosis of a molar pregnancy (hydatidiform mole) is made after the doctor can not see or hear fetal heart tones and / or notices that the uterus is not the proper size for the gestational age.  To confirm the diagnosis of a molar pregnancy (hydatidiform mole) an ultrasound will be performed which will show a cluster of abnormal cells or sometimes described as a "cluster of grapes".  To learn more Go to Signs and Symptoms of Miscarriage.  

Causes of Molar Pregnancy (Hydatidiform Mole)

The cause of a molar pregnancy (hydatidiform mole) is dependent on which type occurs.  In a complete molar pregnancy (complete hydatidiform mole) a sperm fertilizes an "empty" egg.  The sperm abnormally divides creating a proliferation of abnormal cells.  There is no fetal components with a complete molar pregnancy (complete hydatidiform mole).  In a parital molar pregnancy (partial hydatidiform mole) two sperm fertilize one egg.  The cells begin to divide and a abnormal cluster of cells develop.  The abnormal cells will proliferate and destroy any fetal component that is there.  To learn more Go to Causes of Miscarriage.

Treatment of Molar Pregnancy (Hydatidiform Mole) 

A molar pregnancy (hydatidiform mole) should be treated immediately.  The only treatment option is surgical intervention with a D&C (dilatation and curettage).  This treatment requires the woman to go into the hospital and have anesthesia will a obstitrician dilates her cervix with instruments, then using either suction or curettage (scraping) the endometrial lining to ensure removal of all molar tissue.  The procedure is a same day surgery which means that the woman will go home the same day the surgery is performed.  The benefit for this treatment is that the tissues are sent to a pathologist who can assess the products of conception.  To learn more Go to Treatment of Miscarriage.

The other important treatment that must be performed with a molar pregnancy (hydatidiform mole) is serial serum hCG levels.  This allows the physician to make sure that all the molar tissue has been removed.  If all the tissue is not removed there is a risk of developing trophoblastic cancer.  There for serum hCG levels are usually evaluated six months to one year.  Also the emotional difficulty with coping with miscarriage must be addressed in the treatment plan. 

It is recommended that a couple who have just experienced a molar pregnancy (hydatidiform mole) wait one year before attempting to conceive.