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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
A molar pregnancy may seem like a normal pregnancy at first — but most molar pregnancies cause signs and symptoms unlike those of pregnancy, including:
- Dark brown to bright red vaginal bleeding during the first trimester
- Severe nausea and vomiting
- Vaginal passage of grape-like cysts
- Rarely, pelvic pressure or pain
If you experience any signs or symptoms of a molar pregnancy, consult your doctor or pregnancy care provider. He or she may detect other signs of a molar pregnancy, such as:
- Rapid uterine growth — the uterus is too large for the stage of pregnancy
- High blood pressure
- Preeclampsia — a condition that causes high blood pressure and protein in the urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy
- Ovarian cysts
- Anemia
- Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
References
- 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.
- Ectopic and molar pregnancy. March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/Baby/loss_ectopic.html. Accessed Oct. 3, 2011.
- 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.
- Garner EIO. Gestational trophoblastic disease: Management of hydatidiform mole. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 29, 2011.
- Kindelberger DW, et al. Gestational trophoblastic disease: Pathology. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 29, 2011.
- Chiang JW, et al. Gestational trophoblastic disease: Epidemiology, clinical manifestations and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 29, 2011.
- Garner EIO. Malignant gestational trophoblastic disease: Staging and treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 29, 2011.
- 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.
- Dilation and curettage. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/faq/faq062.cfm. Accessed Oct. 5, 2011.
- 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.
- Soper JT, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of gestational trophoblastic disease: ACOG practice bulletin No. 53. Gynecologic Oncology. 2004;93:575.
- Harms RW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 9, 2011.
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