Blighted ovum is a pregnancy where a sac and placenta grow, but a baby does not. 

‘ANEMBRYONIC PREGNANCY’ 

NO EMBRYO (DEVELOPING BABY)

WHY BLIGHTED OVUM SHOW POSITIVE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF PREGNANCY?

Because blighted ovum still makes hormones, it can show up as a positive pregnancy test. 

CAN THERE BE FETAL POLE?

No, there cannot be a fetal pole. When small, the sac cannot be distinguished from the early normal pregnancy, as there maybe a yolk sac, though a fetal pole is not seen. 

IS THERE A BABY IN BLIGHTED OVUM?

No. Blighted ovum is a pregnancy where a sac and placenta grow, but a baby does not. 

IS BLIGHTED OVUM CONSIDERED AS MISCARRIAGE?

Yes it is considered as miscarriage.

Fertilized egg implants in the uterus but doesn't develop into an embryo. 

HOW COMMON IS THIS?

Up to 20% of the women experience blighted ovum.

TESTS TO BE DONE

  1. Complete blood count
  2. Blood group
  3. Ultrasound of pelvis 

FATE

Blighted ovum will end up with spontaneous abortion anytime between 7-12 weeks of pregnancy. 

Your body understands the pregnancy is not developing properly and starts to shed blood and tissue from the uterus. 

MENTAL UPSET

  1. A miscarriage can be extremely upsetting
  2. Many women need support and time to grieve
  3. There is no right way to feel after a miscarriage 
  4. Different people react to a miscarriage with different emotions, including anger, guilt or relief

CAUSE

When the egg is fertilised, cells that make the pregnancy sac and placenta start multiplying. 

But occasionally, the cells that are supposed to develop into a baby don’t multiply.

  1. The cause isn’t known
  2. It isn’t caused by anything you have done
  3. It can be a genetic cause
  4. It's thought to be caused by chromosomal abnormalities occurring within the fertilized egg
  5. This may be the result of genetics, or of poor-quality eggs or sperm
  6. Blighted ovum may be linked to abnormalities within chromosome

HOW AND WHEN IS BLIGHTED OVUM DIAGNOSED?

There can be two situations:

  1. Commonly, pregnant lady visits for routine ultrasound. It is picked up during a routine ultrasound. This can be particularly difficult for women who have gone for the ultrasound expecting good news. 
  2. At other times, there may have been bleeding at the start of the pregnancy and an ultrasound is used to investigate. 

MISDIAGNOSED?

One can be misdiagnosed as having a blighted ovum if diagnosed at 8 weeks or sooner. 

Many women who have a tilted uterus look 1 to 2 weeks behind and can be misdiagnosed as having a blighted ovum, so they should wait until at least 9 weeks (if no complications) when most women see the baby. 

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE IF NO FETAL POLE SEEN AT 6 WEEKS?

Between 5 ½ to 6 ½ weeks, a fetal pole or even a fetal heart beat may be detected by vaginal ultrasound. 

The fetal pole is the first visible sign of a developing embryo.  

If a vaginal ultrasound is done and no fetal pole or cardiac activity is seen, another ultrasound scan should be done in 3-7 days. 

WHEN FETAL POLE APPEARS?

However it is quite normal for the fetal pole to not be visible until about 9 weeks. 

The fetal pole may be seen at 2–4 mm crown-rump length (CRL). 

CAN FETAL POLE GROW WITHOUT HEARTBEAT?

Very likely fetal demise has occurred. 

Fetus will not carry on growing without a pumping heart. 

HOW IS BLIGHTED OVUM TREATED?

  1. Your doctor will discuss the options with you. 
  2. You may be asked to repeat ultrasound after 2 weeks. You may wait for cardiac activity to appear. 
  3. You might choose to allow a natural miscarriage to happen. Once this starts, it can take days to weeks for the bleeding to finish. If the bleeding is getting heavier, if you are in pain or you feel unwell, see your doctor.
  4. You could also have a termination, whether by taking medicines or by a type of surgery known as D & C. 

WHAT IF BODY DOES NOT EXPEL IT? 

If the body does not expel all the tissue, the most common procedure performed to stop bleeding and prevent infection is a D&C.

DOES IT AFFECT MY CHANCES OF HAVING A BABY?

No. It does not alter your chance of having a successful pregnancy in the future. 

HOW LONG BLEEDING CONTINUES AFTER THIS?

Physical healing after a miscarriage will also be different for every woman. 

It varies from few days to as long as two months. 

CAN IT HAPPEN WITHOUT BLEEDING?

It can also happen with no symptoms. Usually you may have pain and bleeding.