Also known as an anembryonic pregnancy, a blighted ovum occurs when an egg is fertilized and attaches itself to the uterine wall, but the embryo does not develop. The cells will continue to develop to form the pregnancy sac, but the embryo fails to develop. In most situations, a blighted ovum will occur during the first trimester before the woman even knows that she is pregnant. Most experts agree that a blighted ovum is the result of a high level of chromosomal abnormalities, causing the body of the woman to miscarry the pregnancy naturally. It’s thought that up to 50% of first trimester miscarriages are a result of a blighted ovum.

Most women are not aware that they are pregnant when a blighted ovum occurs, though some may miss their period and even have a positive pregnancy test. What usually happens is that the woman will experience what she believes is a missed or late period, or even a period that is a bit heavier than normal. Women may also experience spotting, minor cramping, or vaginal bleeding not consistent with their period. For some women, nothing is different or noticeable enough to have them believe anything may be abnormal.

If women have gotten a positive pregnancy test, a blighted ovum pregnancy may continue for the short term normally. The woman will assume that she is pregnant and is experiencing a healthy pregnancy as her hCG levels will continue to rise and the placenta will continue to form. Many women find out that they are in fact carrying a blighted ovum when their doctor orders a routine ultrasound at the end of the first trimester.

The only known cause of a blighted ovum is chromosomal problems. A woman’s body has the ability to detect when a fetus is developing abnormally, and often does not try to continue the pregnancy as the baby will not grow to be a healthy baby. The problems can be related to poor cell division, poor sperm quality, or an abnormal egg.

When a doctor discovers a blighted ovum they will usually let the body run its course, though some women will ask for a D&C. Most doctors will tell women that experience a blighted ovum that their body is capable of passing all of the tissues on its own but it is something that the woman must decide. If there have been multiple blighted ovum experiences, some doctors will do a D&C so that the tissue can be preserved and tested for genetic testing. Luckily, most women will not experience more than one blighted ovum, and after waiting 1-3 cycles, most couples will go on to have perfectly healthy pregnancies.

Posted in Pregnancy, Trying to Get Pregnant

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