In this article:
What Is A Blighted Ovum?
A blighted ovum or anembryonic pregnancy occurs when an embryo does not develop or ceases growing, resulting in an empty gestational sac. The embryo of a blighted ovum is attached to the uterine wall but fails to develop. This type of pregnancy allows the placenta to continue to grow for a brief period along with the pregnancy hormones without the presence of a baby.What Causes A Blighted Ovum?
It's normal to want to understand what's going on in your body. Unfortunately, the answer to what causes a blighted ovum is not conclusive. About half of all early pregnancy losses are caused by a random occurrence in which the embryo obtains an incorrect number of chromosomes. An embryo gets chromosomes from both the sperm and the egg, and if either has an aberrant number of chromosomes, the pregnancy will not develop.When Does A Blighted Ovum Occur?
A blighted ovum leads to an early miscarriage in the first trimester of pregnancy. A fertilised egg develops into a blastocyst during the foetal stage. Around four weeks into your pregnancy, this blastocyst implants in the uterine wall and develops into an embryo. When you have a blighted ovum, the gestational sac which normally houses the embryo grows even when there is no embryo present. The following may occur:- A blighted ovum develops so early in pregnancy that you are unaware you are pregnant.
- You have a positive pregnancy test and indications of pregnancy, only to find a blighted ovum during your first ultrasound.
- You have a positive pregnancy test and indications of pregnancy but then you suffer a miscarriage.
Blighted Ovum Symptoms
It might be difficult to determine if you have a blighted ovum without consulting your doctor. Because the placenta may still develop, your levels of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) may also increase for some time, your discharges can also be typical, perhaps leading to classic pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness. However, if your body has already begun to pass the blighted ovum, you may suffer blighted ovum symptoms or early miscarriage indicators such as bleeding and cramps.How Does A Blighted Ovum Miscarriage Start?
A blighted ovum miscarriage results in vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramps. A miscarriage often feels more severe than a normal menstrual cycle. To ease cramps, use an over-the-counter medication such as paracetamol. Avoid lifting anything heavy or engaging in excessive activity, since this might worsen your bleeding. Following a miscarriage, you may endure spotting for many weeks.What Puts You At Risk For A Blighted Ovum?
Healthcare practitioners don't know why chromosomal issues arise throughout foetal development. However, they understand that under some circumstances the condition might raise your risk, such asBeing over 35 years old during pregnancy increases the risk of chromosomal issues.Having an underlying or untreated medical ailment or illness.A history of miscarriageDiagnosing A Blighted Ovum
To identify a blighted ovum, ultrasonography is required. This typically takes six weeks. At that stage, you should be able to detect a foetal heartbeat and other signs of a developing foetus on the radar. If you don't have these symptoms at six weeks, your doctor may conclude you've miscarried; if there's an empty sac, they may even prove it's an embryonic pregnancy.Additional testing to identify a blighted ovum
Some doctors may conduct a series of blood tests to determine the levels of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in your body. The amount of hCG in your blood rises fast in early pregnancy, peaking around week eight to ten. If it does not rise rapidly or is low, it may signal a miscarriage or another issue. Your provider may opt to test your hCG levels over a few days to see whether and how they are increasing. This may be a useful tool for identifying blighted ovums.How Long May A Blighted Ovum Go Undetected?
The length of time you may carry a blighted ovum varies. Even without an embryo, your placenta will continue to develop and produce hormones.Some individuals have a miscarriage within a few days after receiving a positive pregnancy test. Others may feel they are pregnant, only to find a blighted ovum at their first ultrasound session.How Is A Blighted Ovum Treated?
Some individuals may not need treatment because their bodies pass the tissue via the vagina (a miscarriage). If you do not pass all of the tissue, there are various methods for removing the contents of your uterus. Your healthcare practitioner will walk you through potential treatments:- Dilation and curettage (D&C): Dilation and curettage (D&C) is a surgical technique that removes the contents of the uterus. Your doctor will dilate, or open, your cervix and use medical equipment and suction to remove any residual pregnancy tissue from your uterus. This is done with sedation or general anaesthesia.
- Natural miscarriage: If it's safe, you might observe and wait to see whether your body ultimately discharges the pregnancy tissues. It might take many days or weeks for this to begin. Your healthcare professional will inform you whether this is a possibility. When a miscarriage occurs, you will suffer cramping, abdominal discomfort, and bleeding.
- Medication-induced miscarriage: You may be administered misoprostol with or without mifepristone to cause your body to miscarry. This expedites the process and reduces the time spent waiting for a miscarriage to occur naturally. You will have cramps, abdominal discomfort, and bleeding between 30 minutes to 10 hours after taking the medicine.
At What Stage Do Blighted Ovums Often Miscarry?
Blighted ovums usually miscarry early in a pregnancy, and your body may just pass the tissue normally. While it usually happens sooner, it may happen at any time between weeks six and 13, therefore your doctor will advise you on the next actions, including waiting for your body to pass the tissue on its own, which can take up to two weeks. This usually results in thicker and longer-lasting bleeding than your regular period. You may also suffer cramps, discomfort, diarrhoea, or nausea.In certain cases, a medical operation or therapy may be required or beneficial to speed up the process. Consult your doctor to determine how to continue.How Long Does It Take To Recover From A Blighted Ovum?
The recovery time following a blighted ovum miscarriage or D&C might range from one or two weeks to a month. Cramping usually lasts up to a week, although bleeding may last for weeks. Your bleeding should gradually decrease until it stops altogether.When you feel comfortable, you may continue your usual activities. Strenuous activities or exercise may cause more bleeding. Hormones may stay in your body, delaying your menstrual cycle. Most individuals have their menstruation four to six weeks following a blighted ovum.A blighted ovum loss may need more emotional recovery time. You may feel depressed, angry, or confused. It is okay to take time to mourn. During your recuperation, seek assistance from friends and family.How Can I Avoid A Blighted Ovum?
There is no method to avoid a blighted ovum. Some couples may choose to do genetic testing on the tissue inside the uterus. This tests for the underlying reasons for your miscarriage and might be beneficial to couples who have had numerous pregnancy losses.When Should I Visit My Healthcare Provider?
If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare practitioner straight away.- Excessive vaginal bleeding
- Feeling dizzy or faint
- Fever that will not go away
- Symptoms get worse with time
- Severe pain that persists despite pain medication
When Should I Visit The ER?
Go to the closest ER. If you have significant vaginal bleeding (more than two pads per hour for two consecutive hours) or indications of anaemia such as dizziness, palpitations, or paleness.What Are The Questions I Should Ask My Doctor?
Losing a pregnancy may be heartbreaking and perplexing. Do not be ashamed to ask any questions you may have. It is quite natural to have questions and be emotional during this time. Some questions you might ask include:- Can I let my body miscarry, or should I use medicine to trigger one?
- What are the dangers associated with miscarriage?
- Do I need to have a D&C?
- What are the risks associated with a D&C?
- How long can I expect to bleed or have cramps?
- Is there any sign that this may happen again?
- When can I start trying to conceive?
- Do I need to return for another ultrasound?
FAQs on Blighted Ovum: What Does It Mean to Have an Anembryonic Pregnancy?
- Is pregnancy possible after a blighted ovum?It is medically possible to ovulate and get pregnant in as little as two weeks following an early pregnancy loss. However, our bodies and minds may need extra time, which is perfectly OK. Consult your doctor for more precise information.
- How long does it take to recover from a blighted ovum?Recovery after a blighted ovum miscarriage or D&C might take one or two weeks to a month. Cramping usually lasts up to a week, although bleeding may last for weeks. Your bleeding should gradually decrease until it stops altogether.