What is Blighted Ovum? Is it dangerous? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Blighted Ovum is a condition that can occur in any woman. This condition may resemble a normal pregnancy in some ways. Many people may not know if a blighted ovum is dangerous, and if it occurs, what the treatment options are.

Blighted Ovum, also known as 'Anembryonic Pregnancy' in medical terms, is a type of pregnancy where the pregnancy is real, but there is no fetus in the womb. This occurs because the embryo is not strong enough, leading to a miscarriage. Only the gestational sac remains, containing only amniotic fluid. This condition usually happens in the early stages of pregnancy. The symptoms can be so convincing that approximately 18% of doctors might still believe the pregnancy is real when observing the external signs.

Many people may misunderstand that these two terms have the same meaning, but in reality, a 'false pregnancy' (Pseudocyesis) is a different condition. A false pregnancy is a psychological disorder that makes a woman believe she is pregnant, often experiencing symptoms similar to pregnancy, such as nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, missed periods, a feeling of a growing belly, and some even think they feel the baby moving.

However, when a doctor examines the patient, no signs of pregnancy are found, such as when an ultrasound shows no pregnancy. This is different from a blighted ovum, where the doctor detects an actual pregnancy and signs that indicate pregnancy.

Thus, false pregnancy is mainly a psychological issue, often related to a strong desire to conceive, stress, or expectations. However, for certainty, doctors will conduct further diagnostic tests, as the patient may have a physical condition or disorder that mimics pregnancy, such as milk production due to an excess of certain hormones

The causes of a blighted ovum are not yet fully understood, as it can occur for various reasons, such as the embryo not being strong enough to develop, or the mother's uterus not being strong enough, among other factors.

A blighted ovum can occur in any woman, at any age. This condition cannot be prevented, as it is a natural abnormality, and the risk increases with age.

This condition has similar symptoms to a normal pregnancy because the body produces HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin), the pregnancy hormone, but in smaller amounts. This results in symptoms similar to pregnancy, such as a missed period, frequent breast tenderness, nausea, etc. Most people realize they have this condition when they go for prenatal care and during a detailed ultrasound examination.

To diagnose a blighted ovum, the doctor will perform an abdominal ultrasound and detect a gestational sac but no fetus inside. If the size of the amniotic sac is greater than 20-25 millimeters without finding an embryo, a follow-up ultrasound will be scheduled in 1-2 weeks. If no embryo is found during the follow-up ultrasound, it will be confirmed as a blighted ovum.

When diagnosed with a blighted ovum, treatment is divided into two cases:

In cases where the gestational sac can expel itself completely without any dangerous complications, there is no need for a D&C (dilation and curettage). However, in cases where the body cannot fully expel the gestational sac and residual tissue is found, treatment will involve a D&C to remove any remaining tissue or lining inside the uterine cavity to reduce the risk of infection inside the uterus.

When a blighted ovum occurs without any complications, there is no need for a D&C, and it can be left to expel itself naturally. However, if complications arise or the gestational sac is not fully expelled, a D&C will be necessary.

A blighted ovum is a condition that cannot be prevented, but if you are under the care of a doctor with regular prenatal visits, the condition can be detected early, and appropriate treatment can be provided. Therefore, every pregnant woman should seek prenatal care to ensure the health and safety of both the mother and the baby until delivery.

A blighted ovum is an abnormal pregnancy where the placenta and gestational sac grow, but the embryo degenerates before developing. When an ultrasound is performed, only an empty gestational sac is seen, with no embryo present. Women of all ages can experience this condition, depending on their genetic health, with the risk increasing with age and previous pregnancy history. It can also be caused by abnormal chromosomes from the male partner.

Prenatal care and regular check-ups help detect potential risks of pregnancy abnormalities, allowing for timely treatment and management.