Molar Pregnancy: Complete Guide
A molar pregnancy is a rare type of pregnancy where abnormal tissue develops in the womb instead of a healthy pregnancy. It can be frightening and confusing to be told this is what's happening, so this guide covers what it is, how it's found, and what follow-up care looks like.
What A Molar Pregnancy Is
A molar pregnancy happens when there's a problem at fertilisation that causes abnormal tissue to grow in the womb rather than a typical embryo and placenta. There are two main types: a complete molar pregnancy, where no fetus develops and only abnormal tissue grows, and a partial molar pregnancy, where some fetal tissue forms alongside the abnormal tissue, but the pregnancy can't develop normally. It isn't caused by anything you did, ate, or didn't do — it's a chromosomal issue at the point of conception.
Signs And How It's Diagnosed
- Vaginal bleeding, sometimes with a distinctive grape-like tissue passed from the vagina.
- Morning sickness that's unusually severe, sometimes linked to very high hCG levels.
- A womb that measures larger than expected for your dates.
- Unusually high blood pressure or early signs of pre-eclampsia in some cases.
- Diagnosis is usually made or suspected on an ultrasound scan, often at a routine early scan, and confirmed with blood tests measuring hCG and sometimes examination of tissue after treatment.
Treatment And Follow-Up Care
Most molar pregnancies are treated with a minor procedure to remove the abnormal tissue from the womb, similar to the procedure used for some miscarriages. After this, you'll be referred to a specialist molar pregnancy screening centre in the UK for follow-up. This involves regular blood or urine tests to monitor your hCG levels over several months, to check that all the abnormal tissue has gone and that none has persisted or, rarely, developed into a condition needing further treatment. You'll usually be advised not to try for another pregnancy until your follow-up monitoring is complete, so that hCG results aren't confused with a new pregnancy.
Emotional Impact And Support
A molar pregnancy is a genuine loss, even though it isn't always talked about in the same way as miscarriage. It's normal to grieve the pregnancy you thought you were having, and to feel anxious during the months of monitoring that follow. Many hospitals have specialist nurses attached to molar pregnancy screening services who can answer questions and offer support, and pregnancy loss charities can also help if you need someone to talk to.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes a molar pregnancy?
A molar pregnancy is caused by an abnormal fertilisation process, where the genetic material in the fertilised egg doesn't combine correctly, leading to abnormal tissue growth instead of a typical pregnancy. It isn't linked to anything you did and isn't preventable. It's rare, affecting a small minority of pregnancies.
Can I get pregnant after a molar pregnancy?
Yes. Most people who've had a molar pregnancy go on to have healthy pregnancies afterwards. You'll usually be advised to wait until your follow-up hCG monitoring is finished before trying to conceive again, so your specialist team can confirm everything has resolved fully.
How is a molar pregnancy monitored after treatment?
You'll have regular hCG blood or urine tests, typically for several months, at a specialist molar pregnancy screening centre. This checks that hCG levels fall back to normal and stay there, confirming that no abnormal tissue remains. Your specialist centre will explain exactly what schedule applies to you.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
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