Post by Blighted Ovum Board Admin on Oct 1, 2007 14:41:59 GMT -5
Blighted Ovum
A blighted ovum ( also called an "anembryonic pregnancy") is a fertilized egg which implants in the uterus, and begins to develop a gestational sac. The fertilized egg, however, fails to form beyond that point and is absorbed back into the body. Often the body is slow to realize the pregnancy has failed, and as a result the gestational sac continues to grow.
Intrauterine fetal demise:
Also called IUFD, or missed abortion. This is when a developing baby dies in utero. This diagnosis is made via ultrasound, and can occur at any time during pregnancy but is more common in the first trimester.
Ectopic pregnancy:
Also called tubal pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants itself outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. As the egg grows larger, it can rupture the fallopian tube and cause life-threatening bleeding. Symptoms include bleeding, lightheadedness, and pain. This happens in about 3% of all pregnancies, and must be corrected surgically.
Risk factors for ectopic pregnancy include smoking, IUD, a history of pelvic inflammatory disease, or a previous ectopic pregnancy. Risk factors are present in about 50% of cases.
Molar pregnancy:
Molar pg is called gestational trophoblastic disease. It is diagnosed via u/s where the results show the developing fetus is not actually a fetus, but is rather abnormal tissue. Hormones of pregnancy result in what is actually a type of cancer, but is usually not life-threatening. In some cases, however, the abnormal tissue is cancerous and can spread. In the majority of cases this is life threatening.
Chemical Pregnancy:
A chemical pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg does not implant into the uterine wall. A pg test will show positive, but later when it's repeated it will be negative because the fertilized egg did not implant and the pregnancy was lost. This is determined through pregnancy testing at an early time, most women will never realize they had a chemical pregnancy. Most women will not experience pregnancy symptoms.
A blighted ovum ( also called an "anembryonic pregnancy") is a fertilized egg which implants in the uterus, and begins to develop a gestational sac. The fertilized egg, however, fails to form beyond that point and is absorbed back into the body. Often the body is slow to realize the pregnancy has failed, and as a result the gestational sac continues to grow.
Intrauterine fetal demise:
Also called IUFD, or missed abortion. This is when a developing baby dies in utero. This diagnosis is made via ultrasound, and can occur at any time during pregnancy but is more common in the first trimester.
Ectopic pregnancy:
Also called tubal pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants itself outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. As the egg grows larger, it can rupture the fallopian tube and cause life-threatening bleeding. Symptoms include bleeding, lightheadedness, and pain. This happens in about 3% of all pregnancies, and must be corrected surgically.
Risk factors for ectopic pregnancy include smoking, IUD, a history of pelvic inflammatory disease, or a previous ectopic pregnancy. Risk factors are present in about 50% of cases.
Molar pregnancy:
Molar pg is called gestational trophoblastic disease. It is diagnosed via u/s where the results show the developing fetus is not actually a fetus, but is rather abnormal tissue. Hormones of pregnancy result in what is actually a type of cancer, but is usually not life-threatening. In some cases, however, the abnormal tissue is cancerous and can spread. In the majority of cases this is life threatening.
Chemical Pregnancy:
A chemical pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg does not implant into the uterine wall. A pg test will show positive, but later when it's repeated it will be negative because the fertilized egg did not implant and the pregnancy was lost. This is determined through pregnancy testing at an early time, most women will never realize they had a chemical pregnancy. Most women will not experience pregnancy symptoms.