Have you ever had high hopes for a pregnancy and when you went for your first scan, the doctor told you that there was only a gestational sac and that you couldn't see a baby yet? It's hard to put into words the pain, confusion, and shock you feel when you hear something like this. A question that many people have at this time is, 'Why did this happen to me?' 'Did I do something wrong?' Today we're talking about a topic that many people haven't heard of, but that needs to be talked about, namely Blighted Ovum. This is not your fault, and you don't have to face this alone.
Simply put, what is this Blighted Ovum?
Blighted Ovum is sometimes called `(anembryonic pregnancy)`. In Sinhala, it can be called ``pregnancy without an embryo'' or ``empty pregnancy''. This is actually a miscarriage that occurs very early in the pregnancy.
Imagine, what usually happens is that a fertilized egg implants itself in the wall of the uterus and gradually develops into an embryo. But in the case of Blighted Ovum, after the fertilized egg implants itself in the uterus, the embryo does not develop. Or, once formed, it stops developing at a very early stage.
But the amazing thing is, even though the embryo has not formed, the gestational sac and placenta that surround the baby continue to grow. This placenta secretes pregnancy hormones, especially a hormone called `(hCG),` which tricks your body into thinking you are pregnant. That is why you experience the early signs of pregnancy (for example, missed periods, sore breasts) and even a home urine test will give a `(positive)` result.
Why is this happening? Is this my fault?
This is the biggest question on everyone's mind. The answer to this is, no. This is not your fault at all.
The main cause of Blighted Ovum is chromosomal problems that occur during the formation of the embryo. This is like a major flaw in the blueprint used to build a house.
Simply put, when an egg fuses with a sperm and begins to divide, a random error may occur during the cell division process. This could be due to a lack of quality in the egg or sperm. The body is very intelligent. When the body realizes that there is an embryo with such a genetic defect that cannot develop healthily, it naturally stops the pregnancy from continuing.
This is not something you did, ate, traveled, or thought about. This is part of nature itself.
What are the symptoms of this condition?
Symptoms of a blighted ovum can vary from person to person.
- Sometimes there are no symptoms: Some people have it so quickly that they don't even know they're pregnant. They may have their period as normal, perhaps a few days late.
- Normal pregnancy symptoms: Most people experience symptoms similar to those of a normal pregnancy, such as missed periods, a positive home pregnancy test, breast tenderness, and morning sickness. This is why no one even realizes that something like this is happening.
However, when the body decides to end this pregnancy, that is, when a natural miscarriage begins, the following symptoms may occur.
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Vaginal Bleeding | It may start with light spotting, then become heavier than a normal period. You may also experience blood clots or grayish tissue. |
| Stomach ache (Cramping) | You may experience pain in the lower abdomen and back, similar to or slightly more severe than menstrual pain. |
The important thing is that the only way to definitively confirm whether this condition is present or not is with an ultrasound scan. The scan will show an empty gestational sac.
How exactly do you detect a Blighted Ovum?
Usually, after you find out you're pregnant, you go to see your doctor for the first time. This is most often discovered during a scan at that time, between 7 and 9 weeks.
This is usually done with a transvaginal ultrasound , which is a scan done with a small instrument inserted through the vagina. This allows you to see the inside of the uterus very clearly.
- In a healthy pregnancy: At this point, a scan can see a small embryo inside the gestational sac and possibly even a heartbeat.
- In the case of Blighted Ovum: The scan only shows the gestational sac. There is no embryo inside it. It looks like an empty bubble.
Sometimes your doctor may also measure the level of a hormone called `hCG` (human chorionic gonadotropin) in your blood for a few days. In a healthy pregnancy, this hormone level should double every two days. However, in a Blighted Ovum, this hormone level does not increase at all, or even starts to decrease. This can also help in the diagnosis.
How is this treated? What happens next?
Once a blighted ovum is confirmed, your doctor will talk to you about your options. This will depend on your health, how far along you are in your pregnancy, and your preferences. There are three main options.
| Treatment method | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Allowing a natural miscarriage (Natural Miscarriage) | Allowing the body to expel the pregnancy tissue through the vagina on its own, without any medical intervention. This can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. During this time, bleeding and abdominal cramps may occur. |
| 2. Medication-Induced Miscarriage | You will be given a medicine called `(Misoprostol)`. This medicine causes the uterus to contract and speeds up the process of expelling the tissue inside. Bleeding and pain will start within a few hours of taking the medicine. |
| 3. D&C surgery (Dilation and Curettage) | This is also called a "hysterectomy." This is a short surgery. You will be anesthetized, your cervix will be opened, and special instruments will be used to remove and clean all the tissue inside your uterus. |
Talk to your doctor to decide which of these three methods is best for you. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages.
How long will it take to heal?
This can be broken down into two parts: physical healing and mental healing.
Physical healing
It can usually take about a week to a month to physically recover.
- Stomach ache: Usually lasts about a week.
- Bleeding: There may be light bleeding for a few weeks. Over time, this will gradually decrease and eventually stop.
- Menstrual cycle: It takes some time for your hormone levels to return to normal after a miscarriage. Your menstrual cycle usually starts again within 4 to 6 weeks.
Mental healing
This is the hardest and most time-consuming part. It is very normal to feel a lot of sadness, anger, confusion, and self-blame when you lose hope.
Don't be alone at this time. Talk to your husband, family, or a trusted friend about what's on your mind. If you need to cry, cry. Give yourself time to grieve. This is not a sign of weakness.
Can I get pregnant again? Will this happen again?
Yes, you can! This is the best news I can give you.
Many women who experience a blighted ovum go on to give birth to healthy babies without any problems.
- When to try again? Many doctors recommend waiting until you have had one or two normal menstrual cycles before trying again. This gives your body and mind time to recover. However, it's best to talk to your doctor before trying again.
- Will it happen again? The chance of a Blighted Ovum happening again is very low. However, if you have had more than two miscarriages in the rare event, your doctor may recommend genetic testing to see if there is an underlying genetic cause.
When to see a doctor
If you have any of the following symptoms after a miscarriage, call your doctor immediately.
- Excessive vaginal bleeding.
- If you feel dizzy or faint.
- A fever that comes on for no reason and doesn't go down.
- Severe pain that does not subside despite taking painkillers.
- If symptoms get worse instead of getting better over time.
Go to the hospital's emergency room (ETU) immediately: If you bleed heavily enough to soak more than two sanitary pads within two hours, or if you develop signs of anemia such as rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and pale skin, go to the nearest hospital's ETU immediately.
Take-Home Message
- Blighted Ovum is a miscarriage that occurs early in pregnancy. The main cause of this is chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo. This is not your fault.
- Although there are early signs of pregnancy, this is only confirmed by the appearance of an empty gestational sac during a scan.
- There are treatment options such as allowing the miscarriage to occur naturally, using medication, or having a D&C. Talk to your doctor and choose what is best for you.
- Give yourself time to heal physically and mentally. This is a big shock. Talk to someone you trust about your feelings.
- Even if you go through an experience like this, the chances of having a healthy baby in the future are very high. Don't give up hope.
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