Blighted Ovum

Dr. Umesh Jindal Definition : A blighted ovum is a common type of miscarriage. It happens when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus but the resulting embryo either stops developing very early or doesnt form at all. Basically its an ultrasonographic finding when one can diagnose the early embryonic growth arrest. Symptoms : Patient will report as pregnancy test positive with either no symptoms or spotting per vaginum along with all signs of early pregnancy like nausea, vomiting, lethargy / weakness, sore breast. Diagnosis: Confirmation occur with help of USG testing and compare with period of pregnancy. Treatment: It is rather not advisable to wait for long time for the deformed pregnancy to expel by itself. So suction and evacuation / D & C is used to remove the tissue. More important is the mental trauma to the couple. This needs counseling and convincing them that this process is very common. It is better to avoid the pregnancy for 2 months and can try again. There is no need to wait for very long. Generally blighted ovum is a random occurance and chances of repetition are quite less. Even after two blighted ova case there is no need to penic.