An explanation...

I wanted to blog about my issue at hand, and solicit prayers for a non-eventful recovery from this missed miscarriage. I took info from various reputable sources to try and explain this.

They have identified from pathology that I had a partial 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.

In a partial molar pregnancy, an incomplete embryo and placenta (the sac in which the fetus grows) may actually start to develop. (Mine developed until about 8 weeks. At 7 weeks one day we had a very good heartbeat with no abnormalities noticed; I went in at 11 weeks with no heartbeat detected)

What causes a partial molar pregnancy?
A partial molar pregnancy is a genetic accident. In a normal pregnancy, the egg receives one set of 23 chromosomes from the father and one set of 23 chromosomes from the mother, for a total of 46 chromosomes. In a partial molar pregnancy, the egg receives two sets of chromosomes from the father, usually because two sperm have fertilized the egg. The egg now has 69 chromosomes, instead of the normal 46. (We are actually awaiting the results of a genetic test to find out the exact makeup of the fetus)

Molar pregnancies occur approximately once every 1,000 pregnancies. They are more common in women who are older than 40 years and in women who have had two or more miscarriages. Partial molar pregnancies occur less frequently.

What are the symptoms of a partial molar pregnancy?

The most prominent symptom of a molar pregnancy is heavy bleeding early in the pregnancy.Symptoms of a partial molar pregnancy include severe nausea, vomiting, and hypertension (high blood pressure) early in the pregnancy, often in the first trimester. (I had none of the symptoms except awful nausea & no appetite, worse, although different than with Drew's pregnancy).

What is the treatment for a partial molar pregnancy?
A partial molar pregnancy is treated by removing the embryo and placenta from the uterus. by D&C.

After this procedure, the doctor will continue to measure the woman’s beta HCG levels for up to a year to determine if there are any remnants of the molar tissue in the uterus. (I have to make sure no I do not get pregnant)
In a small number of partial molar pregnancy cases, there will be some molar tissue remaining in the uterus after the D & C.


The treatment for recurrent molar pregnancy (gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, or GTN):
When the HCG levels drop then increase again it means that the molar pregnancy has grown from microscopic cells in the wall of the uterus to larger cells. These cells can act like a cancer, and metastasize (spread) to other organs, like the lungs, brain, bones, and vagina. Then comes ..chemotherapy medication, called methotrexate. Fortunately, methotrexate is a pretty “easy” chemotherapy on the system, and can be given as an intramuscular shot. Sometimes only 1 shot is necessary. In other cases, multiple shots, or even the addition of other medications, is necessary. Also, when GTN is suspected, the patient usually gets a CT scan of the brain, lungs, and abdomen, and a battery of blood tests. Again, weekly HCG tests are obtained until they fall to zero, then careful follow-up is undertaken for a year. Patients can expect an almost 100% cure rate using chemotherapy.
(This is what is so scary. On top of losing the baby, we have this worry about..although it does no good to worry and believe me I am trying my hardest to follow that advice and cover it with prayer instead.)

Can a woman become pregnant after a partial molar pregnancy?

Yes. The odds of the woman having another molar pregnancy are small (approximately 1-2%). In order to be sure that the uterus is free of molar tissue, the woman should not try to become pregnant until a year after treatment.
I have been told by my OBGYN that we have to test my HCG every week until it is -ZERO- then it has to stay that way for 6 months. Then hopefully if it is God's will we may be able to try again.
I ask for prayers as I try not to worry about this situation. What a "freaky occurrence...but counting our blessings!