Can Molar Pregnancy Happen Twice?

Molar pregnancy is a rare complication of pregnancy that is marked by the growth of an abnormal group of cells called mole. This condition is also known as hydatidiform mole. It develops in the placenta during pregnancy instead of a fetus. The growth of this mole is faster than a normal fetus. It resembles a large bunch of grapes and forms clusters of the cells.

Molar pregnancy is a type of pregnancy marked by the presence of a mole or abnormal tissues in the womb instead of a fetus. Molar pregnancy can happen twice or more after a case of previous molar pregnancy. It is 1-2 percentage risk to have another molar pregnancy. Out of one in 80 pregnancies can be another case of molar pregnancy in few women.

There are two types of molar pregnancy-

1. Complete Molar Pregnancy. It is represented by the growth of the mass of abnormal mass in placenta instead of a fetus.
2. Partial Molar Pregnancy. Partial molar pregnancy is represented by a growth of abnormal mass that transforms into a fetus. But, this abnormal fetus cannot survive or grow into a baby.

The abnormal mass or fetus develops by itself. It is formed when a certain amount of genetic information is not coded in the fertilized egg or the exchange of genes and chromosomes is not proper between the sperm and ova during fertilization. It can happen once in a lifetime or it can occur twice or more in some women. According to stats, 1 in 600 pregnancies, there is a case of molar pregnancy.

The risk factors of developing another molar pregnancy are-

• Age – women who are above the age of 40 years or below 20 years has more chances of having a molar pregnancy.
• Race – there are higher chances of one or more molar pregnancies in races that belong to Southeast Asia, Philippines and Mexico. White women have higher chances of molar pregnancy than black women.
• Medical History– women who have the previous history of molar pregnancy can have another molar pregnancy. The women who have a history of miscarriages can develop molar pregnancy. If a woman has a history of two or more molar pregnancies, then the risk of development of another molar pregnancy becomes 1 in 5 cases.

Molar pregnancy does not have different signs and symptoms than a normal pregnancy. It is detected during a normal ultrasound scan done at 8-14 weeks after a miscarriage. In certain cases, it may have certain symptoms like

• Severe nausea and vomiting in the morning
• Bleeding from the vagina in the first three months of pregnancy
• An abnormally swollen abdomen

Molar pregnancy usually has no impact on next pregnancy. The affected women can get pregnant again and again according to her wish. There is only one chance in 80 pregnancy of getting another molar pregnancy. It is advised not to have another pregnancy for the next six months or one year after the treatment of molar pregnancy.

The main reason for the avoidance of pregnancy is that molar pregnancy can happen again. If the patient had a past history of molar pregnancy with no complication, she may have 1-2 % risk of getting another molar pregnancy. Genetic counseling can help in this.

Molar pregnancy is a condition characterized by the development of mole in place of a baby in the uterus. This mole is a group of abnormal cells that grow in the uterus in place of a fetus during the pregnancy period. This mole is also known as hydatidiform mole. Molar pregnancy does not have specific symptoms other than that of normal pregnancy. There may be some symptoms in some women like vaginal bleeding, severe vomiting, and unusually swollen abdomen. However, these symptoms may be present in normal pregnancy also. It can be treated easily with many treatment options available.

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Also Read:

• Molar Pregnancy: Types, Risk Factors, Symptoms, Treatment, Complications
• Can You Have A Healthy Pregnancy After A Molar Pregnancy?
• Do You Have Pregnancy Symptoms With A Molar Pregnancy?
• How Long Should I Wait To Get Pregnant After A Molar Pregnancy?
• Is There A Heartbeat With A Molar Pregnancy?
• What Are The Chances Of Having A Molar Pregnancy?