Moms may have heard the notion of empty pregnancy or pregnancy without a fetus. This condition does exist in the medical world. Empty pregnancy or called blighted ovum is a condition when a fertilized egg attaches to the fetus, but does not develop into an embryo or the embryo fails to develop.
In some cases, the embryo that forms stops growing and is reabsorbed by the mother's body. Blighted ovum can be the reason why women experience miscarriage in the first three months of pregnancy. The early signs of an empty pregnancy are generally similar to those of a normal pregnancy. Such as a positive test pack result, nausea and vomiting. However, in an empty pregnancy, the pregnancy cannot continue until the baby is born. So, empty pregnancy will eventually result in miscarriage.
Pregnancy itself begins after the fertilization process. Normally, the embryo will form in about two weeks after fertilization. Then, followed by the formation of the placenta or amniotic sac at about 5-6 weeks of gestation. However, in the condition of empty pregnancy, both the embryo and placental sac do not form so there is no fetus in the womb. Although mothers who experience this condition have experienced normal pregnancy signs as in general.
Signs of an empty pregnancy
"Empty pregnancy" is a term used to describe a situation where a woman has a positive pregnancy test, but at the time of ultrasound examination cannot detect a developing fetus in the uterus. This can occur in the early stages of pregnancy. Signs of an empty pregnancy include:
Late menstruation
One of the common signs of pregnancy is the absence of menstruation. If a woman is pregnant, she will usually not have her period during that period. This is because pregnancy stops the normal menstrual cycle. However, there are exceptions, such as in the case of an empty or anembryonic pregnancy, where the pregnancy test is positive but the developing fetus is not present in the uterus. Women with an empty pregnancy may still experience bleeding that is sometimes mistaken for light menstruation or implantation bleeding.
Nausea and vomiting
Some women with an empty or anembryonic pregnancy may still experience nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. These symptoms are often referred to as "morning sickness" or morning sickness, although they can occur at any time during the day. Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms often associated with early pregnancy due to hormonal changes in the body. This means that nausea and vomiting can occur, even if there is no fetus developing in the womb (empty pregnancy).
Positive pregnancy test result
In an empty pregnancy, a positive pregnancy test still indicates an inability to detect a developing fetus in the uterus on ultrasound examination. This means that the embryo did not implant properly or did not develop after implantation. In this pregnancy, early symptoms often remain, such as a positive pregnancy test and hormonal changes, but there is no normal fetal development.
Abdominal cramps
Abdominal cramps or abdominal discomfort can indeed be one of the signs of miscarriage, including miscarriage caused by an empty pregnancy. However, it is important to remember that abdominal cramps can also appear in a variety of other pregnancy situations or conditions. Abdominal cramps can occur for a variety of reasons, including hormonal changes and changes that occur in the uterus during pregnancy.
More sensitive breasts
Changes in the breasts, including increased sensitivity or breast tenderness, are common symptoms often associated with early pregnancy, including both normal and empty (anembryonic) pregnancies. Increased breast sensitivity is a result of the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, particularly increased levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
Bloody discharge
Bleeding and spotting are indeed symptoms often associated with miscarriage, including an empty pregnancy or miscarriage caused by various factors. Considerable bleeding can occur along with spotting in some cases of miscarriage. This can be bleeding similar to menstruation or lighter, but in some cases, the bleeding can be heavier and more serious.
Heavier menstruation
An empty pregnancy usually causes lighter bleeding or bleeding that occurs in smaller amounts than normal menstruation. So, if a woman experiences heavier than normal bleeding during a period that is considered an early pregnancy, this may be a sign of a problem or miscarriage.
Breast pain disappears
Pain or sensitivity in the breasts is one of the common symptoms often associated with early pregnancy, including normal pregnancy. However, in the case of an empty (anembryonic) pregnancy, where the embryo does not develop in the uterus, the symptoms of breast tenderness disappear and do not progress or even disappear over time.
Vaginal discharge
The characteristic of empty pregnancy is vaginal discharge during pregnancy. Vaginal discharge during pregnancy may be an early sign of miscarriage. So, it can be a sign that the fetus in the womb is not developing and it is time for the baby to come out of the womb.
Low HCG Levels
Lower than normal levels of the pregnancy hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) can be an early sign of an empty pregnancy or miscarriage. However, it is important to remember that hCG is a hormone that varies greatly from one pregnancy to another, and each pregnancy proceeds at a different pace.
Diagnosis of Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)
A smaller-than-normal-sized fetus in the uterus can be a sign of an empty pregnancy or a fetal development problem referred to as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). This condition can occur in a variety of situations, including in the case of an empty pregnancy.
Abnormal ultrasound results
One of the signs of not being pregnant is when the ultrasound shows a smaller gestational sac that does not contain a developing embryo or fetus. This condition is also known as an "empty gestational sac." In this case, the gestational sac may be visible in the ultrasound image, but no embryo is detected within it.
Empty Pregnancy Treatment
The management of an empty pregnancy will depend on various factors, including the gestational age, the symptoms experienced, and the individual's specific condition. Here are some treatment options that may be given by an obstetrician in the case of an empty pregnancy:
Waiting for the remaining tissue to fall off naturally
Treating an empty pregnancy by waiting for a natural miscarriage to occur is one option that can be considered. In some cases, obstetricians may recommend this approach, especially if there are no urgent symptoms or risks. This is referred to as "expectant management."
This process involves waiting for the natural progression where an empty pregnancy ends in miscarriage without medical intervention. However, this can take time and can be an emotionally challenging experience for the individuals involved.
Performing a curettage procedure
Dilation and Curettage (D&C) is a surgical procedure that involves removing the contents of the uterus. It is often performed if an empty pregnancy is not going well or if there is a risk of infection. A D&C can also help in confirming the diagnosis of an empty pregnancy.
Using medications
Using medications to help shed the tissue remnants of the undeveloped fetus-to-be is one of the treatment options for an empty pregnancy or miscarriage. This process is referred to as "medical termination" or "pharmacological termination."
Conclusion
Signs of an empty pregnancy do not always occur and can also be similar to signs of a normal pregnancy. If you experience these signs, especially if you have a history of ectopic pregnancy or other reproductive problems, you should immediately consult a gynecologist. The doctor will perform an examination and ultrasound examination to check the development of your pregnancy and make sure everything is going well. (Aq / MKK)
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