Sometimes your pregnancy test result may be positive. However, during your first or second visit, your doctor may tell you that your gestational sac is empty due to a blighted ovum. SO, what is Blighted Ovum? And what about Blighted Ovum Hcg Levels?
In this article, Bedaya Hospital will provide you with everything you need to know about blighted ovum HCG levels, so keep reading.
Blighted Ovum
A blighted ovum is a fertilized egg that implants in the uterus but does not produce a fetus. An anembryonic pregnancy is a leading cause of miscarriage in early pregnancy, accounting for approximately 50 percent of miscarriages in the first months of pregnancy.
Causes of Blighted Ovum
In many cases, the cause of a blighted ovum remains unknown. However, it is believed to be related to chromosomal abnormalities. These abnormalities can occur when the egg or sperm contains the wrong number of chromosomes, preventing the embryo from developing properly.
Chromosomes are structures found in cells that contain genetic information. Humans have 46 chromosomes, so an error in the number or structure of these chromosomes can prevent a fetus from developing. This is often a random occurrence and does not necessarily indicate a recurring problem.
Other Factors
There are other factors that may cause a blighted egg, the most important of which is advancing age, as the risk of chromosomal abnormalities increases with the mother's age. In addition, some genetic factors can be passed on from parents to their children. Finally, some environmental factors, such as exposure to certain environmental toxins or medications, can increase the likelihood of a Blighted Ovum.
How is a blighted ovum diagnosed?
A doctor diagnoses a blighted ovum through a vaginal ultrasound, which is performed between the seventh and ninth weeks of pregnancy, when the fetus is generally visible.
Ultrasound technology is very helpful in detecting a blighted ovum by providing a clear image of the empty gestational sac.
But in other cases, a vaginal ultrasound is necessary, because cases of an empty gestational sac are discovered when the pregnancy is still young (usually less than two months).
What are the symptoms of a blighted ovum?
The initial symptoms of a blighted ovum are similar to those of a normal pregnancy, including:
- A positive pregnancy test.
- Breast pain.
- A delayed period.
- Feeling tired and exhausted.
- Frequent need to urinate.
- Constipation.
- Back pain.
- Morning sickness.
- Certain breast changes.
- Mood swings.
However, there are a number of symptoms that could be indicative of a pregnancy with an empty gestational sac, such as a blighted ovum. These symptoms include:
- Headache
- Abdominal or pelvic pain
- Light or heavy vaginal bleeding
- Leg swelling (edema) during pregnancy
- Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy
A woman may not experience any of the above symptoms despite having a blighted ovum, but the empty gestational sac is quickly discovered during her first visit to the doctor after an ultrasound.
We should also note that some pregnant women experience cramping and vaginal bleeding, but their gestational sac is not empty and contains a normal fetus.
Bedaya Hospital advises you to contact your doctor or visit the nearest healthcare center if you experience bleeding or cramps. In such cases, only a doctor can determine the cause of these symptoms. You should also visit your doctor at least once a month to ensure your health and that of your fetus.
Blighted Ovum and HCG Levels
There is a direct relationship between a Blighted Ovum and HCG levels, because a Blighted Ovum directly affects HCG Levels, which are high at the beginning of pregnancy. Blighted Ovum HCG levels begin to gradually decrease shortly after the signs of pregnancy appear.
HCG Levels for Blighted Ovum
Since the ovum has actually been fertilized and the gestational sac and placenta have formed even in the absence of a fetus, several hormonal changes begin to occur in the woman's body, which may lead to a positive pregnancy test result. After a little while blighted ovum appears, and HCG Levels begin to decline, usually between the eighth and thirteenth weeks of pregnancy. In most cases, a doctor can diagnose a blighted ovum by examining the placenta and empty sac with an ultrasound. This is before the Blighted Ovum HCG levels decline.
When Do HCG Levels Drop with Blighted Ovum?
A blighted ovum usually occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy, even before a woman realizes she's pregnant. In the case of a blighted ovum, the body typically recognizes something is wrong with the pregnancy a few weeks after conception, and HCG levels then begin to drop, causing the uterus to expel its lining. The gestational sac is expected to miscarry from the seventh week until the twelfth week of pregnancy, and that is when Do HCG Levels Drop with Blighted Ovum.
What were your HCG levels with a blighted ovum?
Both a missed miscarriage and a blighted ovum fall under the category of early miscarriage, where the fetus stops developing in its early stages, even with the presence of a gestational sac. So, what were your HCGCG levels with a blighted ovum?
In a normal pregnancy, the HCG level ranges between 50 and 500 IU/L. A pregnancy with a Blighted Ovum Hcg Levels is considered a "weak pregnancy”, so HCG levels for a blighted ovum falling below 50. Below is a Table provided by Bedaya Hospital about the Missed Miscarriage Blighted Ovum hcg Levels Chart.
Missed Miscarriage Blighted Ovum hcg Levels Chart:
