Anembryonic pregnancy

Anembryonic Pregnancy

An anembryonic pregnancy, also known as a blighted ovum, is a type of miscarriage that occurs when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus but the resulting embryo either stops developing very early or doesn't form at all.

Causes

The exact cause of anembryonic pregnancy is unknown, but it's believed to be related to chromosomal abnormalities in the fertilized egg. These abnormalities may be due to poor quality sperm or egg, or they may occur during the process of fertilization.

Symptoms

Anembryonic pregnancy often has no symptoms and may be discovered during a routine ultrasound in the first trimester. However, some women may experience signs of a miscarriage, such as vaginal bleeding, cramping, and a decrease in pregnancy symptoms.

Diagnosis

Anembryonic pregnancy is typically diagnosed through an ultrasound, which will show an empty gestational sac with no embryo. This can be confirmed with a series of hCG blood tests, which will show a decrease in hCG levels over time.

Treatment

Treatment for anembryonic pregnancy typically involves either a procedure to remove the pregnancy tissue from the uterus, known as a dilation and curettage (D&C), or medication to induce a miscarriage. In some cases, a woman may choose to wait for a natural miscarriage to occur.

Prognosis

While an anembryonic pregnancy can be a distressing experience, it does not typically affect a woman's ability to conceive in the future. Most women who experience an anembryonic pregnancy go on to have successful pregnancies later on.

See Also

• Miscarriage
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Molar pregnancy