Had a complete molar pregnancy- looking for advice and information

Hi, I am so confused and just wanted some advice. I found out I was pregnant in Dec 2008, first u/s showed a heartbeat; 2nd u/s no heartbeat. D & C on Jan 15th 2009. Two weeks later, doctor calls and says it was a complete mole.

Question # 1: How could there be a heartbeat if it was a complete molar pregnancy (no fetus, only tissue)?

Question # 2: I never had my HCG levels tested when I was pregnant, but the doctor said I should test every week till it gets to zero. My numbers were 149 (last week) and 54 (this week).  But if I had a complete mole, shouldnt it have been much higher? When will it fall to zero?

I am just really confused and looking for help. And oh yes- I desperately want to start trying to conceive again! My doc said to wait six months, and I am going t follow his advice. But I so long to have a baby!

[April1113]

My husbands cousin had a molar and her levels were through the roof.  I dont believe from what you are describing that it was a molar pregnancy.

[colleen12212001]

It don't sound right to me either.  My first pregnancy was molar and there was never a heartbeat and my HGC levels were really high and took about two months after a d&C to come down and I gained 20 pounds in 12 weeks with this pregnancy.  I wasn't checked until I would have been 12 weeks.  The doctor said I didn't have to wait to try again but I got pregnant 4 months later and miscarried and I think I should have waited so my uterus had time to heal.  I in my opinion think this is why I miscarried the second time.

[AnnieBrooke]

I have always heard that you should wait a full year before trying to conceive again after a molar pregnancy.   Given that you want to try again as soon as is safe, it is more important than it might be otherwise to be sure the diagnosis you had of full molar is accurate.  

Our friends at the American Pregnancy Association say:

"A molar pregnancy is the result of a genetic error during the fertilization process that leads to growth of abnormal tissue within the uterus. Molar pregnancies rarely involve a developing embryo, and the growth of this material is rapid compared to normal fetal growth. It has the appearance of a large and random collection of grape-like cell clusters. There are two types of molar pregnancies, “complete,” and “partial.”

"Complete molar pregnancies have only placental parts (there is no baby), and form when the sperm fertilizes an empty egg. Because the egg is empty, no baby is formed. The placenta grows and produces the pregnancy hormone, hCG. Unfortunately, an ultrasound will show that there is no fetus, only a placenta."

Frankly, since you had a heartbeat and not particularly high hCG numbers, it doesn't sound like a molar pregnancy at all.   I would get another opinion, from a specialist or even another ob-gyn.  Have your records sent over, and ask what they think of the diagnosis of complete mole.

[Carlee82]

I have a molar pregnancy right now, and all the things you list are not symtoms (symptoms) of a molar pregnancy. My Hcg levels are in the hundred thousands, and I was also told not to conceive for at least a year. I am having my D&C done tomorrow. Yes its is a devastating thing to happen but fallow the advice of the doctors and you shall conceive again.
In a molar pregnancy the fetus is never alive during a molar pregnancy. I would most certainly advise you to get another opinion.

[Michelleinhawaii]

I am currently dealing with a complete molar pregnancy.  I gained a lot of weight quickly, had a lot of nausea, and when they discovered it was molar at 12 weeks my HCG was 400,000.  My mole grew back and had to be removed and now it grew back again and I have to go for cat scans and chest x-rays.  

Your pregnancy could have been a partial molar, where you do have a fetus and can have a heart beat.  The pregnancy is almost never viable.  Since you did not have your HCG monitored before then the only way to diagnosis it as being molar would be by the pathology report.  A complete molar has only placental tissue with no fetal matter and a partial molar they would find "parts" of a fetus. You may want to see a gynecological oncologist for a second opinion.  They have the most experience with molar pregnancy since it so uncommmon most gynecologists don't have that much experience or knowledge.  

[tomorrowtoday]

Hi I also had a complete molar pregnancy and my HcG levels were in the hundred of thousands. I would suggest going back to your doctor and asking for him/her to explain these symptoms that you explained that don't sound like a complete molar pregnancy eg. fetal heart beat... maybe when he listened he could not distinguish between normal uterine sounds and no heart beat. What ever it is I would like to offer you my best wishes. It was a really hard time for me and i felt a great loss.
goodluck

[ls2c]

Thanks everyone, I actually did go back to the OBGYN and saw the path report. It was a molar but the results were inconclusive as to whether it was a partial or a total. I suspect it was a partial.

I also heard from a couple of women on another forum as to the HCG levels and it seems that mine are normal for a molar.

I am hoping they come down to zero this week.