Blighted Ovum: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Overview

When a fertilized egg implants in the uterus but fails to develop into an embryo, a placenta and embryonic sac are formed but remain empty. The condition is also described as anembryonic pregnancy, meaning no embryo. The cause of blighted ovum is unknown. However, it may occur due to chromosomal abnormalities in the fertilized egg. As this happens early in pregnancy, most women are unaware of their pregnancy. It is also the leading cause of miscarriage and early pregnancy failure. It also is the cause of one out of two miscarriages in the first trimester of pregnancy. The condition results in a miscarriage as it is not a viable pregnancy. 

The blog deeply explains blighted ovum, its causes, symptoms, treatment options, and preventive measures. 

What is a blighted ovum?

As mentioned above, a blighted ovum occurs when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus but fails to thrive into an embryo. However, the gestational sac and the placenta continue to develop. Blighted ovum leads to miscarriage.

As it occurs in five to six weeks of pregnancy, most women are unaware of their pregnancies. It causes one out of two miscarriages in the first trimester of pregnancy. It is important to note that the placenta and empty gestational sac continues to release pregnancy hormones (hCG) despite the non-presence of the embryo. This results  in early symptoms of pregnancy and sometimes a positive pregnancy test. hCG hormone assists in supporting the fetus to grow. 

What are the symptoms of blighted ovum?

A woman with a blighted ovum may experience pregnancy-related symptoms, including breast tenderness, missed periods, morning sickness, nausea, vomiting, and a positive pregnancy test. However, when the embryo fails to develop, the hormone levels gradually decrease, and pregnancy symptoms reduce.

When this occurs, a pregnant woman may also experience symptoms of miscarriage, such as the following:

1. Vaginal bleeding or spotting
2. Abdominal cramping
3. An unusually heavy period

A doctor can confirm a miscarriage with an ultrasound scan.

When to seek medical attention?

A pregnant woman should immediately seek medical attention if they are experiencing any of the following:

1. Excessive vaginal bleeding 
2. Dizziness or fainting
3. Persistent fever
4. Severe pain that doesn’t reduce with pain medications
5. Symptoms that worsen over time

Request an appointment at Apollo Hospitals

What causes a blighted ovum?

The precise cause of a blighted ovum is unknown. However, it is vital to understand that it is a natural process and blaming activities or  lifestyle choices is unnecessary. 

It is typically caused due to chromosomal or genetic issues during cell division. The division occurs when the sperm fertilizes the egg during conception. It may be due to poor-quality eggs, sperm, or genetic abnormalities . 

A pregnant woman is at a higher risk of blighted ovum than others if the partner is biologically related to her. However, women who experiences blighted ovum do go on to have successful pregnancies and  and healthy  babies in the future . 

What is the treatment for a blighted ovum?

Most women may not need treatment as the body passes out the embryo through the vagina. However, if the body fails to miscarry the embryo, the doctor may recommend other treatment options, such as the following:

• Dilation and curettage (D&C): It is a surgical procedure to remove the contents of the pregnancy tissues from the uterus. In this procedure, the doctor dilates or opens the cervix and uses tools and devices to clean the remaining pregnancy tissues from the uterus. The dilation and curettage procedure is performed under general anaesthesia.
• Natural miscarriage: The doctor may recommend the patient to wait and watch to see if the body naturally removes the pregnancy tissues from the uterus. It is important to note that this process may take days or weeks to start. However, when the miscarriage occurs, the woman may experience abdominal pain, severe cramping, and bleeding. The doctor may recommend this treatment option only if it is safe.
• Medical-induced miscarriage: In this treatment option, the doctors prescribe a medication called misoprostol. The medication sends signals to the body to expel the pregnancy tissues. This procedure reduces the time of waiting for the miscarriage to start on its own. The patient starts experiencing cramping, abdominal pain, and cramping within 30 minutes to ten hours of getting the medication.

Typically, a follow-up appointment is required after four to six weeks from miscarriage or D&C. This is performed to check if the uterus is empty, for signs of infections, and to ensure the patient is free from any miscarriage-related complications. 

What are the complications of a blighted ovum?

The complications of a blighted ovum are rare. However, the possible complications are as follows:

• Extreme bleeding or haemorrhaging
• Signs of infection
• Scarring from the D&C procedure
• Tears in the uterus from the D&C procedure

How can you prevent a blighted ovum?

The occurrence of a blighted ovum may not be preventable. However, couples who have experienced multiple pregnancy losses may choose to get themselves checked for genetic testing. 

Conclusion

Women with blighted ovum can also experience a subsequent successful and healthy pregnancy. Patients must get prompt treatment and assessment if they are experiencing multiple pregnancy losses. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How is a blighted ovum diagnosed?

The doctor diagnoses a blighted ovum through a transvaginal ultrasound. It is conducted between the seventh and ninth week of pregnancy, as the embryo is generally visible at that time. With the blighted ovum, the gestational sac will be empty. 

What is the recovery time from a miscarriage due to a blighted ovum?

If a pregnant woman has experienced miscarriage or a D&C due to blighted ovum, the recovery can last anywhere from one to two weeks to a month. Generally, abdominal cramping lasts close to a week, but vaginal bleeding can last for several weeks. However, if the woman feels comfortable, she can resume normal activities. 

What are the chances of experiencing blighted ovum again?

The chances of a recurrent blighted ovum are low. Most women continue to experience healthy and full-term pregnancies. If a woman develops more than one blighted ovum, the doctor may suggest specific tests to determine the underlying causes.