Your pregnancy: The blighted ovum
A blighted ovum, also known as “anembryonic pregnancy”, occurs when a fertilised egg attaches itself to the uterine wall but the embryo does not develop.
According to obstetrician-gynaecologist (ObGyn) Dr Daryl Daley, this happens when cells develop to form the pregnancy sac, but not the embryo itself.
“A blighted ovum occurs within the first trimester, often before a woman knows she is pregnant. A high level of chromosome abnormalities will cause a woman’s body to naturally miscarry,” Dr Daley said.
The ObGyn explained that one of the first things you need to know if you have been diagnosed with a blighted ovum is that this is a type of miscarriage, and give yourself time to grieve.
He said signs of a blighted ovum include a missed or late menstrual period and even a positive pregnancy test, adding that many women assume their pregnancies are on track because their HCG levels are increasing.
Dr Daley added that the placenta can continue to grow and support itself without a baby for a short time, and pregnancy hormones can continue to rise, which would lead a woman to believe that her pregnancy is proceeding normally. A diagnosis is usually not made until an ultrasound test shows either an empty womb or an empty gestational sac.
With regards to causes, Dr Daley said a blighted ovum is usually the result of chromosomal problems.
“A woman’s body recognises abnormal chromosomes in a foetus, and naturally does not try to continue the pregnancy because the foetus will not develop into a healthy baby. This can be caused either by abnormal cell division, or by poor-quality sperm or egg,” he explained.
The ObGyn said a blighted ovum cannot be prevented. As a result, some couples will seek genetic testing if multiple early-pregnancy losses occur.
However, he said that a blighted ovum is often a one-time occurrence, and rarely will a woman experience more than one. He added that most doctors advise couples to wait until two to three regular menstrual cycles have passed before trying to conceive again after any type of miscarriage.
— Kimberley Hibbert
