When you see a positive pregnancy test, life becomes a true celebration—after all, the long-awaited pregnancy is on its way. However, certain problems can occur and result in unwelcome news, such as anembryonic pregnancy, also called a blighted ovum or empty gestational sac. This is a problem that can happen to any woman and in any pregnancy, as long as there has been fertilization.
What is Anembryonic Pregnancy?
To better understand what anembryonic pregnancy is1, we have to go back to the moment when fertilization happens and the process of cell division begins. After the woman ovulates and has intercourse, the sperm fertilizes the egg, and a multiplication of cells begins, giving rise to two parts.
One part of the cellular cluster becomes the support system for the pregnancy: the placenta, gestational sac, and amniotic fluid. The other part will form the baby itself. An anembryonic pregnancy can occur if the zygote does not develop properly in this process and only forms a partial pregnancy, that is, a blighted ovum. Theamniotic sac is present, the yolk sac is also there, but the fetus is not forming or has not developed as it should.
Anembryonic Pregnancy – Symptoms
There are no specific symptoms that indicate an anembryonic pregnancy; it can only be detected via ultrasound2. From the end of the 6th week of pregnancy, it is usually possible to see the fetus in the gestational sac. However, when a blighted ovum occurs, the baby is not found, not even in a gestational sac larger than 25mm.
How to Confirm the Absence of the Baby
To confirm the absence of a fetus, it’s necessary to wait until the 8th week of pregnancy. When there is a suspicion of no baby present, it is recommended to repeat the ultrasound after a few days or weeks and, if there’s still only the gestational sac, there are two forms of treatment: the first is expectant management—that is, waiting for the patient to bleed and for the elimination to happen spontaneously within at most 1 month. If this does not occur, then a curettage is recommended, done by a doctor after preparing the cervix, always in a hospital setting.
It’s important to note that if an ultrasound is done too early, it may show an incipient pregnancy—that is, at a very early stage—and this can cause some panic in the mother. All obstetricians recommend doing the ultrasound only after the 7th week of pregnancy; this way, even if there is a chance of a late ovulation, it should be possible to see more than just the gestational sac, even if you can’t hear or see the heartbeat yet. If everything is normal, the ideal is to have the first ultrasound after the 5th week to rule out an ectopic pregnancy, and if there is pain, at the end of the 6th week to rule out a tubal pregnancy.
Causes of Anembryonic Pregnancy
It’s important to remember that anembryonic pregnancy is not hereditary, and there are no external factors that cause it. The blighted ovum is truly a random occurrence and does not usually happen repeatedly as other problems might. However, if it becomes recurrent, it is advisable to investigate the couple’s gametes to assess their health and compatibility. Recent studies show a higher incidence of anembryonic pregnancy in women over 38 years old and with partners over 40.
How to Prevent It
Prevention for anembryonic pregnancy is the consumption of folic acid3 and a good diet, with foods rich in iron and vitamin B6. Most women who go through an anembryonic pregnancy can get pregnant naturally after a few cycles, but it’s recommended to let the body rest for at least 3 months before trying again.
The greatest issue with anembryonic pregnancy, or blighted ovum, is the disappointment it brings to the couple. It is not easy to find out that the longed-for and awaited pregnancy will actually not result in a baby at all. Dealing with this feeling can be very difficult, both at the time of diagnosis and, eventually, after procedures that complete the termination of the anembryonic pregnancy. Knowing that these cases are isolated can bring some comfort and help prevent deeper trauma for the couple.
The important thing is to keep up with your exams, dear friends, stay strong and keep the faith!
Important Tip: When we go through something like an anembryonic pregnancy, it’s normal to want to get pregnant again as soon as possible. Remember that there are vitamins that help protect you and increase your chances for a healthy future pregnancy. For example, Methylfolate, the active form of folic acid, which you can find here.
See also: Myths and Truths About Pregnancy – Superstitions and Beliefs
