Molar Pregnancy: How much do you know?

What is Molar Pregnancy?

This is a type of abnormal pregnancy that occurs when tissue that normally should become a fetus after fertilization fails to do so and instead becomes an abnormal growth in the uterus and though it is not a true embryo, it still triggers the symptoms of pregnancy.

Incidence: About 1 out of every 1,500 women come down with this.

Cause of Molar pregnacy
Molar pregnacy is thought to be caused by a problem in the genetic information of the egg or sperm.

Types of Molar Pregnancy.

1. Complete Molar Pregnancy:

- An egg with no genetic information fertilized by a sperm.

- The product of such fertilization grows into a lump of tissue in the uterine cavity.

- As the tissue grows it assumes a 'grape cluster-like' appearance.

- It grows till it fills the whole of the uterine cavity.

2. Partial Molar Pregnancy.

- An egg is fertilized by two sperms or by a sperm that divides and gives 46 chromosome instead of the normal 23 and the fetus ends up with 63 chromosomes including that from the mother.

- The placental tissue becomes the molar growth.

- The fetus formed suffers severe defects and likely to die intra-uterine.

Risk Factors.

1. Age: Most likely to occur in women below 20 and those above 35.
2. Previous history of molar pregnancy.
3. A diet low in carotene (A form of Vitamin A).

Symptoms and signs.

- Causes the same early symptoms in a normal pregnancy brings such as missed periods, or morning sickness.

- Other symptoms which are specific to molar pregnancy includes;
* Bleeding through the vagina
* Rapidly growing uterus not corresponding to the age of the pregnancy.
* Severe nausea and vomiting.
* Signs of an over-reactive thyroid eg, tiredness, nervousness, increased heartbeats, profuse sweating.
* Vaginal discharge of grape-like cluster tissues.

How is it Diagnosed?

- Through pelvic examination.
- Through ultrasound
- By checking the HCG levels which is usually abnormally high in molar pregnancies.
( HCG is simply the hormone that is produced when a woman is pregnant. It is the confirmatory test for a pregnancy).

Any time you notice any of the above
symptoms kindly visit your health care facility for proper check up and diagnosis.

Lastly know this, molar pregnancy has nothing to do with anything you did or did not do right.

So don't get overly worried when it happens and begin to blame yourself or your partner.

Credits: mayoclinic.org
: WebMD.com
Photos: Pinterest

Comments

How much do you know about hernia?

Hello friends. How has the week been for you? Today we'll be looking at something we are familiar with in terms of the name but hardly know what it is and what is responsible for it. I'm talking about hernia. I remember discussing with someone not long ago and he was completely ignorant on what this hernia was all about and that really inspired me to write on it. Hope you enjoy reading as you get informed. ......……..…................................................................. What is Hernia? Hernia simply put, is a condition where there is a weakness in a surrounding muscle or tissue which causes the surrounding organs, mostly the gut to push through it. It could also mean the abnormal be protrusion of tissue or organ such as the bowel through the wall of the cavity in which it normally resides. Hernias are most common in the abdomen but can occur in the upper thigh and groin areas. Hernias can range from being asymptotic to life threatening dependi

Things to note about Constipation.

Today we'll look at a condition that is common to most of us, constipation. ---- ----- ----- ------ ------ -------- ------- ------- --------- --- What is constipation? Constipation is condition of the digestive system where an individual faces infrequent bowel evacuation, or where the faeces are hard and small or where passage of stool is hard and painful. This occurs because the colon has absorbed too much water from the food in the colon ( large intestine). Causes of Constipation. - Lack of dietary fibre in food. - Physical inactivity. - Dehydration. -Medications eg narcotics, anticonvulsants, antidepressants. -Consumption of diary products by others. - Over use of laxatives. - Pregnancy. - Resisting the urge to poop. - An underactive thyroid. - Problems with nerves and muscles of the digestive system. - Ageing. Symptoms. - Few bowel movements of less than three times a week. - Hard or small stools. - Bloating. - A feeling that everything didn'

What to do when you have 'PINK EYE'( Conjunctivitis).

Conjuctivitis popularly known as the 'Pink eye' or 'apollo' as it is popularly called in Nigeria is an infection of the white part of the eye ball. This infection is most times caused by bacteria, viruses and allergies. The most common type is the viral infection. According to the University College of Medicine, Ibadan, Nigeria, about 1.5 million cases of conjuctivitis are seen yearly. MODE OF SPREAD. Conjuctivitis can be extremely contagious and can be spread through the following ways; * Through skin to skin contact eg handshake with an infected person. * By touching a surface contaminated with secretions from an infected eye. *Almost all age groups can be affected by this ailment but the most vulnerable group are children between the age of 3-13years. * Though contagious it rarely damages the eye especially when treated on time. SYMPTOMS OF 'PINK EYE'. - Redness. - Thick yellowish discharge that c

jpmreloaded

Search This Blog