Q: I was just 8 weeks pregnant when an ultrasound discovered that I had a
molar pregnancy. I had a D & C, and now, besides grieving the loss of a
child, I have to think about the consequences of this kind of complication.
Instead of having a baby, I might be getting cancer! Of course, I had never
heard of this possibility previous to the day before yesterday. Now I am
reeling with info gleaned from the Net, all about the possible outcomes
following a molar pregnancy. Does anyone out there have any experiences
with this first hand? Success stories would be very much appreciated at
this point. A list-serve or other form of communication with other women
who have been through this would be very helpful for me, but I can't seem
to find any out there on the Net. Also, are there any particular
alternative therapies to help me get my HCG levels down, and to prevent
recurrence?
-Annika
Ashland, OR
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A: My first child was born in December 1989. My next pregnancy began in 1992
(I was 23) and was normal up until I went to my 16 week visit. We could not
get a heartbeat. My OB did an ultrasound and we could see the baby was not
developed that far along. He could not detect a heartbeat with ultrasound
either, but wanted a second opinion to be sure. There it was confirmed that
the baby was indeed dead. Up until that day I had absolutely NO idea
anything was wrong. I never felt cramping or had any spotting. In fact, I
was sure I had felt the baby move the day before this.
I was scheduled for a D&C about three days later. Thankfully, my OB agreed
to put me under with anesthesia. I was heartbroken and couldn't bear to
hear those machines doing their thing. The D&C went fine and I woke up
feeling groggy and sorrowful, but physically I was OK. My OB called a few
days later to tell me the tests showed that he/she had died at about 9
weeks. He said it was amazing I hadn't become violenty ill. He also said
they had found I had a "partial mole" on the placenta. He had been an
OB/GYN for 20 years and had never seen this in all that time. He admitted
he wasn't exactly sure what to call it at first. He said it could be
cancerous and that he'd continue to monitor me for several weeks.
Apparently, my human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) levels were through the
roof too. He said this is likely why my body continued to "think" it was
pregnant. I had to go for weekly bloodwork for several weeks afterward to
make sure my HCG levels went down on their own. After about 4 or 5 weeks
they were down to normal.
I have never had any problems since. I didn't have to undergo any sort of
cancer treatment or anything like that. I have had five successful (and
non-problematic) pregnancies since then. I am currently pregnant with our
seventh child.
~Karen (31) in Palmyra, Maine
====
I also had a molar pregnancy, 10 years ago exactly. I too was very upset
and grieving. But in the 10 years since I have a wonderful 8 year old son
and three beautiful daughters, 6, 4, and 2. They are all healthy and very
intelligent. All my pregnancies were uncomplicated and deliveries were
normal.
-Christina
====
While I have never had this experience personally, a very close friend
experienced this complication over 12 years ago. She had to have two D&Cs
and the doctor told her that increased her chances of further
complications. She has done fine, including having two more babies.
-Debbie
Williamson NY
====
Three years ago, I experienced a partial molar pregnancy. There was some
fetal tissue which means it was not a complete molar. We had had no
sonograms, and were not prepared for the unexpected hemorrhaging that
occurred in my 16th week. It was as if the flood gates just opened. After
emergency D&C and lab tests, they informed me of the molar preg. For me, it
meant weekly blood draws to check my HCG levels, and then monthly for about
a year. I was to avoid getting pregnant for one year. Because of the blood
loss, I took beet root powder and chlorophyll. I don't know of any natural
ways to bring the HCG levels down.
-Joanna
====
Reprinted from Midwifery Today E-News (Vol 2 Issue 21 May 26, 2000)
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