BLIGHTED OVUM/ANEMBRYONIC PREGNANCY

Blighted Ovum or Anembryonic pregnancy

What does it mean when you have a diagnosis of blighted ovum?

Blighted ovum or anembryonic pregnancy is a type of miscarriage which is mostly incidentally diagnosed on ultrasound. The findings include a gestational sac which may or may not have a yolk sac; however, the embryo- which later develops into fetus/baby-is missing. The embryo fails to develop and like all cases of miscarriages; it is devastating.

Does this still mean you are pregnant?

Yes, you are. The pregnancy test whether performed with blood/serum or urine is positive and there is an evident gestational “pregnancy” sac on an obstetric ultrasound scan. The only issue is that the dividing cells which were meant to develop the embryo did not develop hence the missing embryo on scan. You will be experiencing pregnancy symptoms like any other pregnancy.

What are the causes anembryonic pregnancy?

The possible causes of anembryonic pregnancy include chromosomal/genetic/morphological abnormalities; chromosomal abnormalities are responsible for 40-50% of all cases of blighted ovum or anembryonic pregnancy; genital tract infections; uterine abnormalities, immune disorders; hormonal issues like Luteal Phase Defect whereby there inadequate levels of progesterone to support the pregnancy/thyroid disorders/PCOS; Drugs of abuse. Advanced maternal age and previous miscarriages are additional risk factors. 

How do we diagnose anembryonic pregnancy?

One may experience symptoms similar to ectopic pregnancy like per vaginal spotting or bleeding and abdominal cramping. On most occasions the diagnosis is an incidental finding when an early pregnancy ultrasound scan is performed.

What is the management of anembryonic pregnancy?

Management entails evacuation of the products of conception either by surgical or medical means. There is room for expectant management as well whereby you wait for nature to take it course and eventually evacuate uterus with time. It is also important that you get adequate support including psychological support during this difficult period where you grief the loss of a pregnancy

Note: 15 % of all clinically recognized pregnancies are lost in the 1st trimester and only 20-30% of pregnancies progress to live births. We discuss this topical issue before of the number of cases we have seen. You are not alone in this!!

Talk to your Obstetrician/ Gynecologist to discuss a way forward or give us a call on 0746516514 at Nyalife Women’s Health Clinic to walk with you through this difficult process or book with us at www.nyalifewomensclinic.com