Difference Between Complete and Partial Mole

In a complete mole, the uterus is usually larger than the expected gestational date of the pregnancy, whereas, in partial moles, the uterus can be smaller than the suggested date.

1. What is the difference between partial and complete molar pregnancy?
2. Is a partial molar pregnancy a baby?
3. How rare is a partial molar pregnancy?
4. How soon can I get pregnant after a partial molar pregnancy?
5. Is a partial molar pregnancy twins?
6. How high are hCG levels in molar pregnancy?
7. Do molar pregnancies have a heartbeat?
8. Can 6 week pregnancy be detected molar?
9. What are the chances of having a second partial molar pregnancy?
10. How long does it take for hCG levels to drop after a partial molar pregnancy?
11. Who are at risk for molar pregnancy?
12. Do you always bleed with a molar pregnancy?

What is the difference between partial and complete molar pregnancy?

In a complete molar pregnancy, the placental tissue is abnormal and swollen and appears to form fluid-filled cysts. There's also no formation of fetal tissue. In a partial molar pregnancy, there may be normal placental tissue along with abnormally forming placental tissue.

Is a partial molar pregnancy a baby?

A partial molar pregnancy is a variation of a molar pregnancy, an abnormal pregnancy in which an embryo (the fertilized egg) either develops incompletely, or doesn't develop at all. Instead, a cluster of grape-like cysts (known as a hydatidiform mole) grows in the uterus.

How rare is a partial molar pregnancy?

Partial molar pregnancy with a live fetus is a very rare condition, occurring in 0.005 to 0.01% of all pregnancies; it presents a challenging diagnosis, especially when clinical signs are almost completely absent.

How soon can I get pregnant after a partial molar pregnancy?

The risk of having another molar pregnancy is small (about 1 in 80). It's best not to try getting pregnant again until all your follow-up treatment has finished. For most women, this will take about 6 months.

Is a partial molar pregnancy twins?

A foetus with a partial mole may survive when it occurs in a dizygotic twin, with one foetus and the other oocyte giving rise to a partial diploid mole, however, a monozygotic twin with triploidy gives rise to a partial mole with an abnormal foetus (16).

How high are hCG levels in molar pregnancy?

The measurement of high hCG levels in excess of 100,000 mIU/mL suggests the diagnosis of a complete molar pregnancy, particularly when associated with vaginal bleeding, uterine enlargement and abnormal ultrasound findings.

Do molar pregnancies have a heartbeat?

Diagnosis. Most molar pregnancies are diagnosed in the first trimester. This condition may be discovered when a heartbeat does not become detectable by 12 weeks, but this can also be true of missed miscarriages.

Can 6 week pregnancy be detected molar?

An ultrasound of a complete molar pregnancy — which can be detected as early as eight or nine weeks of pregnancy — may show: No embryo or fetus. No amniotic fluid. A thick cystic placenta nearly filling the uterus.

What are the chances of having a second partial molar pregnancy?

Most women who have a molar pregnancy can go on to have a healthy pregnancy later. The risk of having another molar pregnancy is only about 1 to 2 in 100 women (1 to 2 percent).

How long does it take for hCG levels to drop after a partial molar pregnancy?

In most women the levels of hCG drop fairly rapidly. Once your hormone level reaches zero for three weeks, follow-up will cease for those with a partial mole. For women with a complete mole, you will progress to monthly blood tests for a further six months.

Who are at risk for molar pregnancy?

The risk of complete molar pregnancy is highest in women over age 35 and younger than 20. The risk is even higher for women over age 45. Age is less likely to be a factor for partial moles. For choriocarcinoma, risk is lower before age 25, and then increases with age until menopause.

Do you always bleed with a molar pregnancy?

Choriocarcinomas can cause persistent bleeding in the weeks or months after delivery, but this happens very rarely. (Most bleeding like this is not caused by a choriocarcinoma). Choriocarcinomas associated with molar pregnancies almost always follow complete moles rather than partial moles.