What should you know about full molar pregnancy?

In a full mole, an egg without the usual genetic material is fertilised, so placental tissue grows abnormally and an embryo does not develop. Pregnancy hormone levels can rise markedly, causing bleeding, severe nausea, pelvic pressure, or a uterus that seems larger than expected for the stage of pregnancy. A scan and blood tests help the care team assess the situation. This condition is part of gestational trophoblastic disease; persistent abnormal tissue is uncommon but needs specialist monitoring.

Arrange care with a gynaecology team experienced in molar pregnancy. The abnormal tissue is usually removed from the uterus, followed by repeated blood tests for human chorionic gonadotropin, often called hCG. Keep every follow-up appointment and use contraception if your team advises delaying another pregnancy, because a new pregnancy can make hCG results difficult to interpret. Treatment such as chemotherapy may be considered if hormone levels do not fall as expected or abnormal tissue remains.

Seek urgent medical help for heavy vaginal bleeding, faintness, severe lower abdominal pain, breathlessness, chest pain, or repeated vomiting that prevents fluids staying down. Contact your maternity or gynaecology team promptly for new bleeding between periods, increasing pelvic pain, or a missed follow-up blood test. These symptoms need assessment; they do not by themselves confirm a persistent mole.

Ask which procedure is planned, how often hCG will be checked, how long follow-up may continue, when sexual activity and exercise are suitable, and which symptoms should trigger an emergency visit.