{"id":19177,"date":"2026-06-16T16:28:20","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T10:58:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/?p=19177"},"modified":"2026-06-16T16:28:20","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T10:58:20","slug":"what-is-molar-pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/what-is-molar-pregnancy\/","title":{"rendered":"Molar Pregnancy: Symptoms, HCG Levels, Ultrasound Findings, and Diagnosis"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-19178\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/molar-pregnancy-english-1024x512.png\" alt=\"molar pregnancy\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/molar-pregnancy-english-1024x512.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/molar-pregnancy-english-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/molar-pregnancy-english-768x384.png 768w, https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/molar-pregnancy-english.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Molar pregnancy is an abnormal pregnancy that results from a problem arising in the fertilization of an egg. They are either a complete molar pregnancy, where an embryo is not present, or a partial molar pregnancy that has an embryo but with abnormalities. A fetus cannot grow in these conditions, and the <a title=\"pregnancy \" href=\"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/pregnancy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">pregnancy <\/a> ends in the first trimester.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In this article, we learn more about what a molar pregnancy is, its types, symptoms and how it is diagnosed.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What is a Molar Pregnancy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Molar pregnancy, also known as a hydatidiform mole, is a type of <a title=\"Gestational \" href=\"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/risk-factors-of-gestational-diabetes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gestational <\/a> Trophoblastic Disease (GTD). It occurs due to improper fertilization of the egg. The placenta, which is responsible for feeding the fetus, develops abnormally and forms fluid-filled cysts that fill the womb. A hydatidiform molar pregnancy does not support embryo growth and results in miscarriage.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What are the Types of Molar Pregnancy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>There are 2 types of molar pregnancy. These are<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Complete molar pregnancy<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In a complete molar pregnancy, an empty egg is fertilized by the sperm. A human cell is made of 23 pairs of chromosomes from the mother and father. In this case, the mother&#8217;s chromosomes are absent. The embryo cannot develop as there is no maternal DNA present in the egg.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Even without an embryo, the placental tissue still grows, albeit irregularly. It forms fluid-filled cysts and produces hCG, a hormone released during pregnancy. which can yield a positive pregnancy test result. The hCG levels in a complete molar pregnancy are higher than in a normal pregnancy.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Partial molar pregnancy:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In a partial molar pregnancy, an egg is fertilized by 2 sperm. Instead of 23 chromosomes from the father, there are 46. This leads to abnormal fertilization of the egg, resulting in an abnormal embryo. In this case, the placenta has both regular and irregular tissues.<\/p>\n<p>It grows alongside a fetus that has developmental defects and cannot survive beyond the first trimester, resulting in <a title=\"miscarriage\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/causes-of-miscarriage\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">miscarriage<\/a> .<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What Factor Leads to a Molar Pregnancy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Factors that lead to molar pregnancy are:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Age of mother:<\/strong> Molar pregnancy typically presents when the mother is either younger than age 20 or older than age 40.<\/li>\n<li><strong>History:<\/strong> The chances of molar pregnancy increase if the mother has previously experienced a hydatidiform molar pregnancy or had a miscarriage before.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><strong>What are the Symptoms of Molar Pregnancy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The commonly observed molar pregnancy symptoms are:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>High hCG level<\/li>\n<li>Vaginal bleeding in the first trimester<\/li>\n<li>Vomiting or severe nausea<\/li>\n<li>Grape-like cysts passing from the vagina<\/li>\n<li>Preeclampsia (extremely high blood pressure)<\/li>\n<li>Pelvic pain or pressure<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"Anemia\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/anemia-causes-symptoms-and-diagnosis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Anemia<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Hyperthyroidism<\/li>\n<li>Uterus growing too large in the early pregnancy stages<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><strong>How is Molar Pregnancy Diagnosed?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>A doctor may order an ultrasound or a blood test if the pregnant person shows symptoms of molar pregnancy. A blood test reveals the <a title=\"hCG levels\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/beta-hcg-test\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hCG levels<\/a> are higher than normal, while molar pregnancy ultrasound findings show the following results:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Complete Molar Pregnancy<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>No embryo<\/li>\n<li>No amniotic fluid<\/li>\n<li>Cystic placenta filling the uterus<\/li>\n<li>Ovarian cysts<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Partial Molar Pregnancy-<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Fetus with abnormalities<\/li>\n<li>Low amniotic fluid<\/li>\n<li>Cystic placenta<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><strong>What are the Complications Associated with Molar Pregnancy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>In some cases, after a molar pregnancy is removed, a few tissues may remain in the uterus and continue to grow. This is known as persistent Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia (GTN). This can cause vaginal bleeding, sepsis or uterine infection. These tissues may also grow into a type of cancer known as choriocarcinoma. Any such complication requires immediate medical intervention.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A molar pregnancy can happen to anybody, but risk factors such as age or patient history increase its possibility. It can be easily detected during routine pregnancy check-ups. If a patient experiences any of the symptoms, a doctor may direct them to get an ultrasound and an <a title=\"hCG level test\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/pathology-test\/hcg-beta-total-quantitative-maternal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hCG level test<\/a> to confirm the diagnosis.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>To schedule a test, download <a title=\"Dr Lal PathLab\u2019 app\" href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/dlplapp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dr Lal PathLab\u2019 app<\/a>!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>FAQs<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>What causes molar pregnancy?<\/strong><br \/>\nMolar pregnancy is caused by the abnormal fertilization of the egg, which leads to the growth of grape-like cysts in the womb. A fetus may or may not develop depending on the type of molar pregnancy a patient has, but it does not survive past the first trimester.<\/li>\n<li><strong>What are the early signs of molar pregnancy?<\/strong><br \/>\nEarly signs of molar pregnancy include vaginal bleeding, grape-like cysts passing from the vagina, pelvic pain or pressure, high hCG levels, severe nausea, vomiting and abnormal growth of the womb in the first trimester.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Who is more prone to a molar pregnancy?<\/strong><br \/>\nWomen who have a history of molar pregnancy and are less than age 15 or more than age 40 are more prone to have a molar pregnancy.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Does a molar pregnancy have a positive pregnancy test?<\/strong><br \/>\nYes, a molar pregnancy has a positive pregnancy test, as the placenta continues to grow and release hCG. The hCG levels are higher than in a normal pregnancy.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Molar pregnancy is an abnormal pregnancy that results from a problem arising in the fertilization of an egg. They are either a complete molar pregnancy, where an embryo is not present, or a partial molar pregnancy that has an embryo but with abnormalities. A fetus cannot grow in these conditions, and the pregnancy ends in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":19178,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":""},"categories":[1055],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19177"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19177"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19177\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19179,"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19177\/revisions\/19179"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19178"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19177"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19177"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19177"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}