We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Molar Pregnancy?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 13,011
Share

A molar pregnancy is a pregnancy in which something goes wrong at fertilization, causing the placenta to develop abnormally into a mass of water-filled cysts known as a hydatidiform mole. In a complete molar pregnancy, no embryonic material is present at all, while a partial molar pregnancy may include some embryonic tissue. In the case of a partial molar pregnancy, the embryo is non-viable, and will never develop into a baby.

The cause of molar pregnancies is not really understood. Some researchers suspect that it has to do with ovulation errors, lack of certain nutrients, or random mistakes which happen in fertilization. Around one in 1,000 pregnancies is a molar pregnancy, and most of the time, the pregnancy aborts spontaneously. Women should certainly not feel personally responsible if they experience a molar pregnancy, as there is nothing to be done to prevent such pregnancies.

In the early stages, a molar pregnancy can feel like a normal pregnancy. Hormone levels go up, and swelling of the abdomen may be experienced. However, an ultrasound will reveal that the uterus is filled with a mass of cysts, not a developing embryo. Most doctors recommend terminating a molar pregnancy if it does not spontaneously abort, because it can turn cancerous, threatening future reproductive health as well as the life of the mother. People who have moral qualms about the termination of pregnancy can be assured that a molar pregnancy represents no potential for viable life, and therefore it is not equivalent to a normal pregnancy.

You may also hear molar pregnancy referred to as gestational trophoblastic disease. In very rare cases, a molar pregnancy develops alongside a normal pregnancy. In these instances, a doctor may recommend that the mother carry the regular pregnancy to term, assuming that the mole will resolve itself in the process of gestation or labor and delivery. Routine testing may be required as a follow up after the birth to confirm that the mole has been totally expelled.

While a molar pregnancy isn't a “real” pregnancy, it is still a pregnancy loss, and it is appropriate to grieve after a molar pregnancy. Women with such pregnancies feel like they are pregnant, complete with physical and hormonal changes, and it can be jarring to learn that the pregnancy was false. Most doctors recommend taking a break from trying to conceive after a molar pregnancy, to ensure that the mole is entirely gone and to give the body a rest.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By anon105764 — On Aug 22, 2010

I have just read this article and I am disgusted. I am currently waiting to hear if I had a partial molar pregnancy.

I miscarried last week, and I saw my baby on an ultrasound scan and it looked perfectly formed, with a head, arms, legs etc. My pregnancy was very real!

By anon81901 — On May 03, 2010

This is the worst "article" ever - "A molar pregnancy isn't a 'real' pregnancy". Wow. I had a partial molar pregnancy in which a fetus developed. It had a heartbeat that stopped beating at 14 weeks. I saw with my own eyes on a sonogram when I learned my baby died that it had a head, a spine, arms and legs. It just couldn't survive with the molar placental tissue.

A molar pregnancy is absolutely is a real pregnancy, even if it was a complete molar pregnancy in which no fetus develops. A woman is under every impression she's pregnant, only to have it ripped away from her in an instant. Do your research.

By anon37363 — On Jul 19, 2009

So, I'm curious, is it possible for any woman to have a molar pregnancy?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-molar-pregnancy.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.