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Preparing for your appointment

By Mayo Clinic staff

You're likely to start by talking with your family doctor or pregnancy care provider. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment and what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do
Before your appointment:

  • Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including when they first started and how they've changed over time.
  • Make a note of the date of your last menstrual period, if you remember it.
  • Write down key personal information, including any other medical conditions for which you're being treated.
  • Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements you're taking.
  • Ask a friend or family member to accompany you, if possible, to your appointment. Having someone else there may help you remember something that you forgot or missed and may provide much-needed emotional support.
  • Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Preparing a list of questions in advance will help you make the most of your time with your doctor. For molar pregnancy, some basic questions to ask include:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
  • What kind of tests do I need?
  • What needs to be done now?
  • What treatment approach do you recommend?
  • Do I need to follow any restrictions?
  • What emergency signs and symptoms should I watch for at home?
  • What are my chances for a successful future pregnancy?
  • How long should I wait before trying to become pregnant again?
  • Does my condition increase my risk of developing cancer in the future?
  • Do you have any brochures or printed material that I can take along with me? What websites do you recommend for more information?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment if you don't understand something.

What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor will likely perform a physical exam and run some tests, including a blood test and ultrasound exam. He or she also may ask you a number of questions, such as:

  • When was your last menstrual period?
  • When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
  • Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • Are you having any pain?
  • Compared with your heaviest days of menstrual flow, is your bleeding more, less or about the same? Have you passed any grape-like cysts from your vagina?
  • Are you experiencing any lightheadedness or dizziness?
  • Have you had a past molar pregnancy?
  • What chronic conditions, if any, do you have?
  • Do you wish to become pregnant in the future?
Tests and diagnosis Complications
References
  1. Early pregnancy loss: Miscarriage and molar pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/faq/faq090.cfm. Accessed Sept. 29, 2011.
  2. Ectopic and molar pregnancy. March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/Baby/loss_ectopic.html. Accessed Oct. 3, 2011.
  3. Copeland LJ, et al. Malignant diseases and pregnancy. In: Gabbe SG, et al. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-4/0/1528/0.html. Accessed Oct. 3, 2011.
  4. Garner EIO. Gestational trophoblastic disease: Management of hydatidiform mole. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 29, 2011.
  5. Kindelberger DW, et al. Gestational trophoblastic disease: Pathology. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 29, 2011.
  6. Chiang JW, et al. Gestational trophoblastic disease: Epidemiology, clinical manifestations and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 29, 2011.
  7. Garner EIO. Malignant gestational trophoblastic disease: Staging and treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 29, 2011.
  8. Kavanagh JJ, et al. Gestational trophoblastic disease: Hydatidiform mole, nonmetastatic and metastatic gestational trophoblastic tumor: Diagnosis and management. In: Katz VL, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-4/0/1524/0.html. Accessed Oct. 5, 2011.
  9. Dilation and curettage. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/faq/faq062.cfm. Accessed Oct. 5, 2011.
  10. Al-Hussaini TK, et al. Recurrent pregnancy loss due to familial and non-familial habitual molar pregnancy. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2003;83:179.
  11. Soper JT, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of gestational trophoblastic disease: ACOG practice bulletin No. 53. Gynecologic Oncology. 2004;93:575.
  12. Harms RW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 9, 2011.
DS01155 Nov. 11, 2011

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