Blighted Ovum

Commonly referred to as anembryonic pregnancy a blighted ovum occurs when an embryo does not develop after a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall. Typically occurring during a woman's first trimester, she may not even know she is pregnant during this time. Chromosome abnormalities of an unusually high level lead a woman's body to miscarry most of the time.

There are several ways to tell if you have or are having a blighted ovum, but of course only a doctor will know for sure. Because a blighted ovum usually happens very early in pregnancy, it is quite possible that you will not know you are pregnant until you see a doctor. You may miss a period or have a very late period, as well as abdominal cramps, vaginal spotting or bleeding and a pregnancy test may read as positive. Your period may also be heavier than usual if you have a blighted ovum. As a matter of fact, you usually won't be able to tell you have a blighted ovum until an ultrasound test shows an empty womb or birth sac.

The cause of approximately fifty percent of miscarriages during the first trimester, a blighted ovum generally occurs because of chromosomal problems due to poor quality sperm or eggs. Unfortunately, a blighted ovum can generally not be prevented but it is highly unlikely to have more than one during your lifetime. If you have or have had a blighted ovum in the past, doctors recommend a woman waits for at least one to three regular periods before you attempt to become pregnant again.