Molar pregnancy

Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Illustration showing a molar pregnancy 
Image of a molar pregnancy

A molar pregnancy may seem like a normal pregnancy at first — but most molar pregnancies cause specific signs and symptoms, 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 health 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 before 20 weeks of pregnancy
  • Ovarian cysts
  • Anemia
  • Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
References
  1. Early pregnancy loss: Miscarriage and molar pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp090.cfm. Accessed Aug. 14, 2009.
  2. Ectopic and molar pregnancy. March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1189.asp. Accessed Aug. 14, 2009.
  3. Copeland LJ, et al. Malignant diseases in pregnancy. In: Gabbe SG, et al. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2007:1.
  4. Garner EIO. Gestational trophoblastic disease: Management of hydatidiform mole. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 17, 2009.
  5. Berek JS. Gestational trophoblastic disease: Pathology. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 17, 2009.
  6. Chang JW, et al. Gestational trophoblastic disease: Epidemiology, clinical manifestations and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 17, 2009.
  7. Garner EIO. Malignant gestational trophoblastic disease: Staging and treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 17, 2009.
  8. Kavanagh JJ, et al. Comprehensive gynecology. 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; 2007:1.
  9. Dilation and curettage. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp062.cfm. Accessed Aug. 18, 2009.
  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. Harms RW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 16, 2009.

DS01155

Nov. 6, 2009

© 1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Reliable tools for healthier lives," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Text Size: smaller largerlarger