What is a "blighted ovum"?
A blighted ovum ( also called an "anembryonic pregnancy") is a
fertilized egg which implants in the uterus, and begins to devlop a
gestational sac. The fertilized egg, however, fails to form beyond the
sixth week and is absorbed back into the uterus. The placenta continues
to grow, and the body is usually slow to catch on that the pregnancy has failed. Blighted Ovums appear to account for about 50% of alo pregnancy losses.
Is there anything that could have been done to prevent a blighted ovum? Did I cause this?
The answer is most emphatically "NO". If you are found to have low progesterone, that is something you can treat. Otherwise this is most likely the result of poor quality egg or sperm. If you think that progesterone might be an issue, be sure that your Doctor tests this early in the pregnancy so that it can be addressed should the numbers support a need to do so.
I've never heard of a blighted ovum, is this new?
No. However, technology has improved to the degree that by ultrasound the existance of a blighted ovum can now be diagnosed.
Is there any chance that this diagnosis can be wrong?
Not usually, however, in some cases a pregnancy could be misdated or diagnosed too early. By the 8th week, if a pregnancy is viable, the heartbeat should be seen via ultrasound. Usually to be sure a doctor will perform a follow up ultrasound to be sure if the patient isn't far enough along
in order to be positive of the diagnosis. Sometimes a blighted ovum will be diagnosed before the 8th week and a follow up ultrasound will show a heart beat.
What role does low progesterone play in a blighted ovum pregnancy?
This is a very debated topic. Often, when the initial bloodwork is done to confirm the pregnancy, they will also check your progesterone level. Most docs would like to see it at or near 20 in the very early days, once you know you are pregnant. For some women, this has been the initial indication that something could be wrong with the pregnancy. In some cases, women have been put on progesterone supplementation (Prometrium - orally, Vaginal Suppositories, and in more rare cases progesterone in oil (PIO) injections) if it was on the low side.
The debate is whether the supplementation will make a difference. Most docs will say that it could make the difference in saving a pregnancy, but it can't hurt. The typical protocol given to someone who has had a history of low progesterone is to begin taking it 3dpo's every cycle and continue taking it until AF or 12 weeks of pregnancy. Progesterone essentially makes the environment friendly for implantation and development of the embryo.
Another aspect of the debate is that low progesterone is an indication of poor follicular development in the pre-ovulation phase of your cycle. So essentially, it is believed there is a deficiency in the follicular phase of your cycle and giving progesterone in the luteal phase of your cycle isn't going to help. There are many women here who have taken progesterone and gone on to have a successful pregnancy. It is difficult to know if it would have been successful no matter what. If anything, it may give you peace of mind, if you have had a history of low progesterone.
What are HCG levels?
The hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (better known as hCG) is produced during pregnancy. It is made by cells that form the placenta, which nourishes the egg after it has been fertilized and becomes attached to the uterine wall. Levels can first be detected by a blood test about 11 days after conception and about 12 - 14 days after conception by a urine test. In general the hCG levels will double every 72 hours. The level will reach its peak in the first 8 - 11 weeks of pregnancy and then will decline and level off for the remainder of the pregnancy.
In the cases of a blighted ovum these hormone levels won't continue to double at a normal rate.
If waiting to miscarry, what options are there?
Usually the choices are Dilation and Curettage, or waiting for a natural miscarriage to occur.
If choosing natural miscarriage, is there anything that could be done to speed along the process?
The answer to this is believed to be yes, Red Raspberry LEAF tea. It must be the kind that says LEAF, not just raspberry flavored. The tea is supposed to help with contracting the uterus in order to pass the tissue.
You can find it in most health food stores. As with everything, please speak with your doctor first before choosing a home remedy.
Please keep in mind the information provided on this web site
has been gathered from various sources in an attempt to help others
understand and deal with loss by miscarriage. I am not a Physician, and
I accept no responsibility for the data I have gathered above.
Information on this web site should not take the place of seeking the
assistance of a licensed OBGYN
All of the information listed above has been gathered from these places
(with the exception of information provided to me by my OBGYN):
forums.obgyn.net, INCIID Bulletin Board, pregnancytoday.com,
i-parenting.com, and babycenter.netscape.com.
