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Blighted ovum: Causes, Signs & Treatment
Miscarriages don’t occur only because of reasons such as hormonal problems or physical problems in the mother. It could also be because of a condition called blighted ovum, which is hard to detect.
What is Blighted Ovum?
A blighted ovum means a condition where a fertilised egg gets implanted in the uterus but does not develop into an embryo. It is also referred as an anembryonic pregnancy. It is a cause of early miscarriage.
During this time, you may not face any signs that the pregnancy is progressing abnormally. Your body will not recognise that there is no baby in the sac because the pregnancy hormones are still being produced.
How Common is a Blighted Ovum?
Blighted ovum occurs so early that you don't even know you are pregnant. It accounts for about 45% to 55% of all miscarriages. 1 in 2 first trimester miscarriages is due to blighted ovum.
What are the Causes of Blighted Ovum?
The reasons for blighted ovum or causes for anembryonic pregnancy or anembryonic gestation occurring can’t be clearly discerned.
A blighted ovum occurs when the early embryo stops developing, is reabsorbed and leaves an empty gestational sac. The reason this occurs is often unknown, but it could be caused due to chromosomal abnormalities in the fertilised egg. A blighted ovum occurs in early pregnancy between the 8th to the 13th week. Sometimes, even before you know that you are pregnant.
A blighted ovum or anembryonic pregnancy eventually results in miscarriage. Some women wait for it to happen naturally, while others may take medication to trigger the miscarriage. Sometimes, a procedure called dilation and curettage (D&C) is used to remove the placental tissues. Once the miscarriage occurs, your menstrual cycle will resume and you can try for another baby. You may want to wait for a few months to let your body get back to normalcy.
What are the Symptoms of Blighted Ovum?
A blighted ovum mostly occurs very early in pregnancy – before most women even realize they are pregnant. You may have the signs and symptoms of a normal pregnancy like nausea and tender breasts. But when the embryo stops growing and the hormone levels decrease, these pregnancy symptoms also subside. There may be abdominal cramping, light spotting or bleeding. However, an ultrasound will show an empty sac.
In some cases, women continue to face signs of early pregnancy, as everything appears to be normal. The cause for this is Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) levels which continue to rise and the placenta continues to grow despite blighted ovum. This type of miscarriage is diagnosed by an ultrasound by the 8th week of pregnancy. It will show a large gestational sac, but no embryo.
Sometimes, the symptoms of a blighted ovum (since the woman s likely unaware of her pregnancy) are mistaken for dysmenorrheal symptoms, because of cramping and minor spotting or bleeding. It ends with the body flushing out the lining of the uterus and you have periods, which may be heavier than usual.
How is Diagnosis of Blighted Ovum Done?
Criteria for diagnosis of a blighted ovum or anembryonic pregnancy through ultrasound are:
Failure to identify the embryo in a gestational sac (20 mm) by a transabdominal ultrasound.
Failure to identify the embryo in a gestational sac (18 mm) by a transvaginal ultrasound.
Failure to identify a yolk sac in a gestational sac (13 mm).
There is a possibility that the outline of the sac is irregular or incomplete.
An abnormally low position of the gestational sac.
Unfortunately, nothing can be done to prevent a blighted ovum. The gestational sac and accumulated tissues should be pushed out by the end of the 1st trimester. Apart from the natural process, you may use medication to facilitate the expulsion of the content.
If the mother is experiencing symptoms like heavy bleeding or indications of an infection, it is not advisable to wait for a miscarriage. A Dilation and Curettage (D&C) also known as “raspa” is a day procedure which can be used to clear the uterus of the tissue. It must be remembered that doctors normally do not recommend a D&C in cases of early pregnancy loss. A woman’s body is able to pass tissue on its own without an invasive surgical procedure which may cause complications.
Is it Possible to Have a Misdiagnosis?
There may be a chance that there is a misdiagnosis of blighted ovum during early pregnancy. The baby usually starts developing and becomes visible in the transvaginal ultrasound around the 5th or 6th week and around the 6th or 7th week in an abdominal ultrasound.
Tips to avoid blighted ovum misdiagnosis –
It may be a good idea to wait for the ultrasound until you are in the 11th or 12th week. An ultrasound may be required earlier if there are any signs of complications.
hCG levels are poor indicators of a blighted ovum, hence you should not feel anxious.
Most healthcare professionals believe that a natural miscarriage before the 10th week is preferable. However, most misdiagnosed cases are around the 10th week.
You can always refer to a new doctor for a second opinion.
What are the Treatments for Blighted Ovum?
In most cases, a blighted ovum needs no treatment, as the body, on recognizing that the embryo is not developing, expels the tissue automatically. However, your doctor will need to take a call on the course of action when the condition is detected, This may include:
Medication – Your doctor may prescribe you Misoprostol or Cytotec, which induces a miscarriage. It can be taken orally or inserted into the vagina. Bleeding starts within 2-3 days from taking the medicine. It may cause nausea, diarrhoea or abdominal cramps.
Dilation and Curettage (D&C) – This is a surgical procedure to clean out the embryonic tissue. It is done using anaesthesia. The mouth of the cervix is dilated with a surgical instrument and the tissue is either removed by using suction or scrapped out. Though there are no complications in this procedure, there might be some problems like perforation of the uterus, haemorrhage or Asherman syndrome.
Natural Expulsion of Tissue – It is always recommended that you wait for the miscarriage to happen naturally. This may take up to two weeks. The benefit of waiting is that there are no chances of complications arising from surgery or medicines.
How is Anembryonic Pregnancy Miscarriage Different From a Missed Miscarriage?
In an anembryonic pregnancy or blighted ovum pregnancy, the sac develops, however, there is no baby inside. This is only detected during a scan. Mostly the embryo was conceived but either it did not develop or was absorbed in the uterus at the initial stage. In most cases a natural miscarriage at home where no embryo is expelled as it has been absorbed or didn’t develop, but pregnancy tissue appears as thick clots. Sometimes, the mother might be advised to undergo a procedure if, waiting for a natural miscarriage to expel the tissue is risky.
While in an an-embryonic pregnancy an embryo is not formed, in a missed miscarriage, the foetus dies during early pregnancy. A missed miscarriage is also known as a silent miscarriage, as the body fails to detect the demise of the foetus and continues to produce pregnancy hormones. The placenta is intact, and the symptoms of pregnancy usually persist. The miscarriage is usually detected by the absence of a foetal heartbeat or by an ultrasound which reveals an underdeveloped foetus during a routine checkup. The embryo can be expelled naturally or via a procedure based on the doctor’s recommendation.
Physical Healing After Anembryonic Pregnancy
Physical healing after a miscarriage is different for every woman. Healing could vary depending on if the miscarriage happened naturally, or through a D&C, and how far along were you in the pregnancy.
A woman healing after a miscarriage can continue taking their prenatal vitamins and abstain from sex, douching, and tampons for at least for one month.
Emotional Healing After Anembryonic Pregnancy
Emotional healing from a pregnancy loss can be very difficult, and with a blighted ovum, it is especially important for the woman to realise that she has all the right to acknowledge her loss.
FAQs about Anembryonic Pregnancy
Here are a few frequently asked questions about anembryonic pregnancy;
Will it Affect the Chances of Having Another Baby?
Blighted ovum does not affect the chances of having another baby. As per statistics, women who have had a miscarriage have a high rate of success in their next pregnancy.
When Can You Be Pregnant After Anembryonic Pregnancy?
Doctors will recommend trying again after you have had your first period after the miscarriage. It is quite natural that women are anxious after the miscarriage.
Should You Go with D&C or Wait for a Natural Miscarriage?
A woman can choose to go with D&C or wait for a natural miscarriage. Doctors do not recommend a D&C for early pregnancy. D&C could be beneficial if you plan to get the tissues examined in a pathology laboratory to determine the reason for the miscarriage.
How to Prevent Blighted Ovum?
A blighted ovum cannot be prevented. It usually occurs only once in a woman.
A miscarriage is emotionally draining for any woman, more so in the case of a blighted ovum. Talking about the loss and seeking emotional support from friends and family can go a long way in helping the mother.
Also Read: Chances Of Conceiving After An Abortion Read more
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How to Get Up from Bed during Pregnancy
Congratulations, you are pregnant! It is one of the most beautiful phases of a woman's life and we know you and your partner must be excited about this new chapter of your life. You must be curious about what your little one is going to be like, aren't you? No doubt, pregnancy is one of the best experiences of a woman's life, but it also brings with itself body pain, muscle cramps, joint pain, and several other side effects.
As your pregnancy will progress, your belly will grow and it will be quite hard for you to balance yourself. Gradually, you will even experience difficulty in doing your daily household chores and will be at a higher risk of spraining your muscles or pulling a tendon doing mundane tasks. As your pregnancy will approach the last trimester, you will also face difficulty in getting up from your bed safely without injuring yourself. But there is no need to worry thinking about it because it's common and almost all pregnant women have difficulty in getting up from the bed during pregnancy. Here we bring you some tips that will help you prepare yourself to lie down on the bed and to comfortably get up from the bed. Read these tips carefully because you'll need them in the days to come!
Steps to Get Out of Bed While Pregnant
Before you learn how to get up from a bed, you should know how to prepare yourself for bed before you lie down. Before you go to bed, choose loose, comfortable nightwear that will keep you warm enough or cool enough depending on how cold or hot the weather is. Sit on the edge of the bed and then slowly lower yourself into a sleeping position. It is best to sleep on your side when you are pregnant, especially in the latter half of the pregnancy.
Below, we share with you handy tips on how to get up from bed during early pregnancy without getting injured:
1. Roll on to Your Side Slowly If You are Lying on Your Back or Stomach
Bring your knees closer to your belly and move them to the edge of your bed. Using your arms for support, push yourself to come to a sitting position. Now swing both your legs on to the floor. You can also use a pillow in between both your legs to get up.
2. Breathe In and Breathe Out
Pregnancy causes dizziness at times, especially when you try to get up. Practising deep-breathing exercises will provide you relief and will also alleviate the back pain that you might feel after getting up.
3. Ask for Help
It is suggested that you ask for help in case you are having difficulty in getting up from the bed on your own, especially during the last term of the pregnancy.
Getting up from the bed during pregnancy can be an arduous task because your growing belly causes your centre of gravity to shift and you have trouble balancing. Do not get up in a hurry. Take your time, and get up slowly and safely from the bed.
Also Read:
Sleeping Positions during First Trimester
Sleeping Positions in Second Trimester
Sleeping Positions during Third Trimester Read more
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Overcome Your Miscarriage Fears
It is said that with pregnancy, a woman completes all her roles. The ability to give birth to a child is a special and life-changing experience. Unfortunately, due to certain unforeseen factors, some pregnancies terminate spontaneously.
Sometimes, a pregnancy can go awfully wrong. When this occurs, it is called a miscarriage. Approximately 15% of known pregnancies conclude with a miscarriage. In a majority of these cases, 80% of them occur in the first trimester and are least likely to occur past the 20th week mark.
What is a Miscarriage
A miscarriage is a medical condition that is termed spontaneous abortion. However, it is not an abortion, as it is commonly understood. It is the loss of an unborn baby, which occurs prior to the 20th week of gestation. If the miscarriage occurs past the 20th week of gestation, then it's called a late miscarriage. This type occurs in very rare circumstances.
There are some common symptoms women experience while having a miscarriage. These are:
Severe abdominal pain
Cramping
Bleeding that systematically progresses to heavy
Passing of tissue
Fever
If you are pregnant and experience such symptoms, please contact your obstetrician/gynecologist immediately or visit your local emergency room.
Currently, the actual cause of miscarriage is not completely understood. Miscarriages that occur in the first twelve weeks of pregnancy are usually caused by chromosomal abnormalities within the infant. Chromosomes are minute cellular structures, which carry the body’s genetic information. Genes are responsible for determining an infant’s physical attributes such as hair and eye colour, gender and blood type. These chromosomal problems are a chance occurrence and are unrelated to the parents’ health.
In some cases, miscarriages may also occur due to the following factors:
Hormonal problems
Uterine bleeding
Infection.
Exposure to workplace or environmental hazards such as toxic agents or radiation
Kidney disease
Incompetent cervix
Lifestyle choices such as drinking alcohol, smoking, consuming drugs
Radiation
Thyroid disease
Congenital heart disease
Medications such as Accutane
Severe malnutrition
Uncontrolled diabetes
Currently, there is no evidence, which suggests that sexual or physical activity leads to a miscarriage.
How Are Miscarriages Diagnosed And Treated
Your obstetrician/gynecologist will request for an ultrasound test and also perform a pelvic exam to confirm that a miscarriage has occurred. If the uterus has cleared, no treatment is required. Sometimes, the uterus does not completely empty out, in which case dilation and curettage is performed. In this procedure, dilation is induced and any placental or fetal tissue left behind is removed. Medications may be administered as an alternative dilation to perform the same procedure.
What Are Some Ways To Avoid Miscarriage
In most cases, the miscarriage cannot be prevented because the cause is difficult to determine. However, most women can lower their risk of a miscarriage by taking the following precautionary measures:
Not smoking while expecting
Not consuming illegal drugs or alcohol while pregnant
Eating a well-balanced and healthy diet which includes at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables
Preventing certain infections such as rubella
Being at a healthy weight before becoming pregnant
Your Weight And Preventing Miscarriage
Women who have a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30 are at an increased risk of miscarrying. The best method of protecting your health and that of your unborn child is loose the excess weight BEFORE becoming pregnant. A healthy weight is the best to reduce your risk of miscarrying. Even during pregnancy, it is absolutely vital that you maintain some level of activity just as swimming or walking. Perform all exercises only after consulting with your physician.
Learning that you are expecting can be an elating experience but then finding out a few weeks later that you have miscarried can throw you into an emotional tailspin. For many women, dealing with a miscarriage often sends them into depression. Some develop a fear of miscarriage and feel they won't be able to carry a baby to term. Others may feel inadequate and feel a deep sense of loss. It is at this time that women need a lot of support and comfort from their family and friends. Speaking to a doctor about getting pregnant again and how to avoid miscarriage in the future can also help. Read more
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Sometimes I Wish to Go Back to Feel Some Moments
I want to feel that board exam pressure again,
I want to listen to that boring lecture again.
I want to feel those moments again that used to give me butterflies,
I want to sit again on the playground and feel that grass again
I want to go to school on those rainy days again and listen to the beautiful sound of rain.
I want to go back to the day when I first saw you and live that feeling again.
I want to go back to the day when you held my hands and wrote your name on my hands.
I want to feel that hug again that makes me melt.
I want to feel that kiss again, which was not less than a pure blessing.
I also want to go back and feel the first ride on your bike, and this time I want to hold you more tightly, not shy away from as I did earlier.
I want to go back to many occasions and live those feelings again.
I know it's weird as time has passed, and it's impossible to go back.
Still, I want to feel some feelings.
I miss that time because I was a daughter, a sister, a girlfriend, a friend, and now I am just a lady with a baby.
The baby belongs to everyone, and it makes me so happy.
While my belongingness is lost and seems hard to find.
Getting married is exciting but seeing every relation change is sometimes hard to accept.
And once you become a mother, every relation changes drastically.
To be a mother is beautiful, but seeing everyone changing is not attractive.
I think it's the beauty of life. It comes with different layers. Every layer consists of some surprise. Some are lovable, and some are not.
But essential is every moment, and every feeling is beautiful.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her.
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Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
13 hours ago
Q. I’m in my 31 week 1 day of pregnancy. What will be my delivery date??
As I have low lying placenta with grade 1 maturity.
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
12 hours ago
A. you had to correlate is ultrasound examination. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
13 hours ago
Q. My hemoglobin is 6.4 from 28 weeks of pregnancy. Now I’m 31 weeks pregnant. What should I do?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
12 hours ago
A. Haven’t when you having some kind of iron supplement because they’re very good during the time of pregnancy if you are not having one you need to start with and whatever tabs you take you should just take it with any good juice specially pomegranate juice that’s going to help in doubling the impact of the medicine that you’re taking secondly try and include more of Iron which diet like spinach broccoli beetroot pomegranate black rice sweet potato these things are exceptionally healthy for you to consume
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
12 hours ago
Q. This is my cbc report
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
12 hours ago
A. No there is nothing visible on my wall so I can really really cannot help you can you please repose the question once again providing all the necessary details as once I’m certain what are you talking about what’s mentioned in the report according to that I can provide you proper help on your question
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
10 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert
now I'm 24 weeks. Sometimes I'm feeling pain in my thigh.
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
10 hours ago
A. For thegh query asked needs consultation with doctor for proper guidance so it is better that the doctor will guide you the correct way .
Onlfine consultation can also be taken and the expert will give you the proper answer .
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
6 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert
what is the pain killer than can be taken by a breastfeeding mother to deal with pain of stitches after delivery?
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
2 hours ago
A. dolo 650 safe analgesic. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Father due in 3 months
21 mins ago
Q. My wife taking tablets for UTI it caused fever last week she took paracetamol and Pan D in IV and now for the past 5 days taking Nitrofurantoin tablet IP I have two questio
1) Will this tablets and IV affect my baby in any way and it's growth inside
2) She says still feeling some pain groin and abdomen area comparatively lesser than previous days
3) Any diets to avoid this UTI in future
Read moreDr Ghouse
Paediatrician
20 mins ago
A. take medicines understrict medical supervision advised of your doctor. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
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