What is a Blighted Pregnancy?

Hamilelik çiftler için heyecanlı ve çok keyifli bir dönem olsa da bazı durumlarda işler yolunda gitmeyebilir. Halk arasında su hamileliği olarak da bilinen boş gebelik, gebe kalan kadınların ortalama %15’inde görülen bir durumdur. Bu tür gebeliklerde, gebelik kesesi mevcut olup içinde bebeğe ait yapılar bulunmaz.

What causes a blighted pregnancy?

In a healthy and normal fertilization, the fertilized egg immediately begins to divide. Division continues for approximately four to five days after fertilization is complete, and the egg implants in the uterine wall. During this implantation phase, many women experience bleeding called implantation bleeding. After all these processes are completed, pregnancy hormones are released, and pregnancy begins. However, in some cases, embryonic development stops during these processes, and the pregnancy cannot continue. One of the most common causes of blighted ovum is chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus. 

What are the symptoms of a blighted ovum?

A blighted ovum initially presents with the same symptoms as a normal pregnancy. The expectant mother experiences classic pregnancy symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. In some cases, early stages of a blighted ovum may cause pain, cramps, or light bleeding in the pelvic area. Although everything seems normal at first, the body eventually terminates the pregnancy. Women experience this as bleeding that is slightly heavier than a normal menstrual period. Blighted ovum is usually diagnosed during an ultrasound examination after the 7th week of pregnancy. 

How to terminate a blighted pregnancy? 

In cases of blighted ovum, the gestational sac can often be expelled spontaneously. In such cases, the patient can be monitored without the need for an abortion. However, in some cases, the body cannot expel the sac on its own. In such cases, abortion should be the first option. Women who experience blighted ovum usually begin ovulating again within about two weeks of an abortion. If the couple wishes, they can consider trying to conceive again after the woman's next menstrual period.