Can You Have A Healthy Pregnancy After A Molar Pregnancy?
Women who have experienced a molar pregnancy are scared to conceive again doubting a healthy pregnancy. Although the women who had a previous molar pregnancy are at increased risk of developing another such pregnancy but in 99% of the cases, there will be a healthy pregnancy. But before conceiving again the women should take approval from the doctor. A molar pregnancy happens 1 in 1000 pregnancy in the United States.
In most cases, the fetus from molar pregnancy does not survive and end in miscarriage. In cases where molar pregnancy is to be terminated there are methods such as surgical methods of dilation and suction, dilation and curettage or hysterectomy (in rare cases where woman have already planned their family) and by medical interventions. After termination of the pregnancy, it is important to ensure that the body is eliminated of the molar tissue. Your doctor who has performed the removal procedure will monitor the HCG levels, size of the uterus and some routine urine test to confirm the elimination of the molar tissue.
The HCG levels after a molar pregnancy may take up to 8 weeks to come to normal levels and women should wait 6 months after normal HCG levels to conceive again. High levels of HCG in the blood are an indication of the presence of molar tissue in the body. If left untreated, the molar tissue can result in the formation of gestation trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). No need to fear from this disease, there is 100% cure for it. Doctors prescribe chemotherapy medicine, methotrexate, and a few other medicines when required to treat the situation. Hence careful monitoring of the molar tissue is important to prevent the conversion of benign tissue into malignant form.
The main aim of doctor visits is to eliminate the presence of molar tissue before conceiving again. HCG levels are normally seen in pregnant women, but in women with molar tissue, the HCG levels continue to rise which will give misleading information about a healthy pregnancy. Hence doctors make sure that the levels are well in control and the presence of HCG is because of the new conception. Doctors advise using contraceptives during this period to avoid pregnancy, a woman who is less than 20 years of age or older than 35 years are at increased risk of developing molar pregnancy and its complications.
Molar Pregnancy & Miscarriage
Molar pregnancy is not the same as miscarriage which happens due to chromosomal abnormalities whereas here it is the formation of the abnormal placenta. The ultrasound has shown a grape-like cluster of cells and no fetus. The abnormal placental cells release HCG giving a positive pregnancy test like a normal pregnancy. You can find vital signs of pregnancy in the form of heavy bleeding and High blood pressure in early pregnancy. If the HCG levels do not return to normal, it indicates live molar tissue.
The pregnancy resulted from molar pregnancy will either have a non-viable embryo (single egg is fertilized by two sperms) or no fetus at all, only the placental tissue will be growing inside the womb increasing the size of the uterus more than the normal. Although a fetus is formed, the growing placental tissues engulf it completely.
People often wonder when to become pregnant again after complication and miscarriage. Doctors advise waiting for 6 months to one year before conceiving again.
Conclusion
Do not be afraid of molar pregnancy after an unfortunate experience. 99% of cases will have a normal healthy pregnancy without any complications. The HCG levels will be high due to normal pregnancy but not due to molar pregnancy. The doctors will do a placental check-up to check the formation of abnormal placental tissues after the birth of the baby. Be under the advice and guidance of the doctor before conceiving and use oral contraceptives during this period to avoid the risk of complicated pregnancies.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2021). Molar Pregnancy. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/molar-pregnancy
- Mayo Clinic. (2021). Molar Pregnancy. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/molar-pregnancy/symptoms-causes/syc-20375191
- NHS. (2018). Molar Pregnancy. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/molar-pregnancy/
- National Cancer Institute. (2021). Gestational Trophoblastic Disease Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version. https://www.cancer.gov/types/gestational-trophoblastic/patient/gtd-treatment-pdq
- NHS. (2021). Getting Pregnant After Miscarriage. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/getting-pregnant-after-miscarriage/
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?
- What Are The Chances Of Having A Molar Pregnancy?
- Can Molar Pregnancy Happen Twice?
