What is anembryonic pregnancy?
If a female’s uterus receives a fertilized egg, but the egg does not develop into an embryo, it leads to an anembryonic pregnancy (also known as blighted ovum), a sort of early miscarriage. Although the embryo would no longer expand, the gestational sac would.
Even in the absence of an embryo, pregnancy hormones are released by the empty gestational sac and placenta. You may have pregnancy symptoms before you know you’re pregnant as a result of this. The most common reason for miscarriage is anembryonic pregnancy.
What are the Symptoms of an anembryonic pregnancy?
You might not have known you were pregnant because an anembryonic pregnancy or blighted ovum can happen so early in pregnancy.
- Occasionally, you might notice pregnancy-related symptoms like a missing period or a positive pregnancy test.
- Breast soreness and morning sickness are examples of early pregnancy symptoms.
Other times your symptoms will resemble those of a miscarriage:
- Vaginal bleeding:Spotting, bleeding, passing of pale grey tissue, or blood clots
- Cramps: Mild to moderate cramps in your abdomen and pelvis.
An ultrasound is required to definitively identify a blighted ovum. A gestational sac without an embryo inside will be visible.
Does an embryonic pregnancy results in miscarriage?
Yes, anembryonic pregnancy does eventually lead to miscarriage. Some women want to wait for a miscarriage to occur naturally and some prefer to take medicine to hasten one.
The placental tissues may occasionally be removed through a technique known as dilatation and curettage (D&C). Discuss with your healthcare practitioner about potential underlying causes if you had multiple miscarriages.
When does an anembryonic pregnancy occur?
In the first trimester of pregnancy, anembryonic pregnancy/ blighted ovum leads to an early miscarriage. The transformation of a fertilized egg into a blastocyst occurs throughout fetal development. Also, when an ovum is blighted, even though there isn’t an embryo within, the gestational sac that would carry it continues to expand. Possible outcomes include:
- You may not even be aware that you are pregnant because a blighted ovum occurs so early in pregnancy.
- A blighted ovum is found during your first ultrasound despite having pregnancy-related symptoms.
- You have a positive pregnancy test, yet you miscarry anyway.
What causes anembryonic pregnancy( blighted ovum)?
Typically, chromosomal or genetic issues during cell division result in anembryonic pregnancy. The egg will start to divide during conception shortly after the sperm has fertilized it. After 10 days, the cells developed into an embryo. The embryo in a blighted ovum either never forms or continues to grow after it does.
Blighted ovum miscarriage is more painful than a typical menstrual period. For cramp relief, you can take acetaminophen, an over-the-counter drug. Heavy lifting and vigorous exercise should be avoided as they can worsen bleeding. After a miscarriage, you could bleed for a few weeks.
How long does it take to recover from an anembryonic pregnancy?
Recovery time after a D&C or blighted ovum miscarriage might range from a few days to a month.
- Bleeding can continue for several weeks, while cramping typically lasts up to a week. Your bleeding ought to lessen until it stops altogether.
- Your menstrual cycle could be delayed by hormones that remain in your body. The majority of people have their period four to six weeks after an infected ovum.
- Emotional recovery from a miscarriage caused by a blighted ovum could take longer. You can be experiencing despair, rage, or perplexity. Taking time to mourn is acceptable. Request assistance from your family and friends.
How can I prevent anembryonic pregnancy?
A blighted ovum or anembryonic pregnancy is the number one cause of first trimester miscarriages. It is impossible to stop an ovum from becoming blighted. However, the tissue that is present inside the uterus of the female may be subjected to genetic testing at the request of some couples. It examines the root causes of the miscarriage and is beneficial for couples who have experienced several pregnancy losses.
How is anembryonic pregnancy treated?
Some people may not require therapy since their bodies naturally pass the embryo through their vagina (a miscarriage). There are more ways to get rid of the contents of your uterus if your body does not miscarry the embryo. Your healthcare professional will go over various therapies with you:
- A surgical technique called dilation and curettage (D&C) is used to remove the uterus’s contents. Your healthcare professional will dilate, or open, the cervix while using suction and medical equipment to remove pregnancy tissues from the uterus. General anesthetic or sedation is used for this procedure.
- Miscarriage caused by medication: You can be prescribed a drug called misoprostol to cause your body to miscarry. This expedites the procedure and cuts down on the time spent waiting for a miscarriage to begin naturally.
After a miscarriage or D&C, a follow-up appointment is typically scheduled 4-6 weeks later. To confirm that the uterus is empty, another ultrasound could be performed on you.
