sac w/o fetus

[brenda5803]

My question is what causes the sac to form without a fetus? My daughter-in-law is just now going through her second time with and is very upset as she should be. I am just trying to educate myself on her condition without haveing to ask her so many questions.  I also have a neice that has had the same thing happen to her and now she is suppose to give herslef some kind of shots when they are trying to conceive.  can you tell me medically what is happening?

[LvnEmbryos]

So sorry to hear your sad news.  A sac without a fetus is called a "blighted ovum".  Unfortunately it is quite common.  It makes sense cellularly because the inner cell mass of the blastocyst becomes the fetus and the trophectoderm of the blastocyst becomes the placenta.  So I suppose it makes sense that one could form without the other.

It is most commonly due to chromosomal abnormalities like luvkayln said.  About 60% of first trimester miscarriages are due to chromosomal problems, usually from the egg.  They are usually unique to that one pregnancy, and depending on your daughter-in-laws age is probably not an indication that this will be a reoccuring problem.

Good luck and keep the faith!!

[luvkayln]

This happened to me with my first pregnancy. The sac was present with the perfect amount of fluid, but no fetal pole. They told me it was because their was an abnormality in the chromosomes. I guess when the baby was on it's way to my uterus, the chromosomes just didn't do what they were supposed to do to form a baby. Good luck to your daughter in law, and tell her God is with her and He will bless her with a baby.