A blighted ovum, also known as an anembryonic gestation, is a medical condition that occurs during early pregnancy. It is characterized by the presence of a gestational sac in the uterus, but without an embryo developing within it. This anomaly often leads to the termination of the pregnancy.
In a healthy pregnancy, after conception, a fertilized egg implants itself in the uterine lining and develops into an embryo, which subsequently grows and develops into a fetus. However, in the case of a blighted ovum, the fertilized egg implants, and a gestational sac forms, but the progression to an embryo with a fetal pole and heartbeat fails to occur.
The condition is typically diagnosed through an ultrasound examination, where the absence of an embryo or fetal development within the gestational sac is observed. Other common symptoms may include vaginal bleeding or spotting, as well as the absence of typical pregnancy symptoms such as breast tenderness or morning sickness.
The causes of a blighted ovum are often unknown, but genetic factors, hormonal imbalances, or abnormalities within the fertilized egg can contribute to its occurrence. It is important to note that a blighted ovum is not caused by anything the mother did or did not do, as it is a spontaneous pregnancy loss.
Treatment for a blighted ovum can vary, depending on the stage of the pregnancy and the woman's individual circumstances. It may involve the administration of medication to stimulate uterine contractions and expel the gestational sac, or a surgical procedure known as dilation and curettage (D&C) to remove the tissues.
Roughly 50% of early pregnancy losses are attributed to blighted ova. While a blighted ovum can be emotionally challenging for those involved, subsequent pregnancies have a high
