My Blighted Ovum Story: What I Wish I’d Known to Expect

Medically, a blighted ovum (also known as an “anembryonic pregnancy”) occurs when “a fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterine wall, but the embryo does not develop.

Cells develop to form the pregnancy sac, but not the embryo itself” (American Pregnancy Association).

Here’s something I really want people to understand about a BO. The mother’s experience is just like any other pregnancy!

Some women will have morning sickness. Others won’t. Some will have cravings. Others won’t. Many will experience food aversions. Others won’t. Heartburn is common in some women. It’s not in others.

Questions to ask when you have a suspected blighted ovum

“What is my gestational sac measuring?” Had I known to ask this question, I could’ve processed my pregnancy loss earlier.

I would’ve known that my empty gestational sac was measuring 7 ½ weeks, and that no heartbeat, not even a yolk sac at that point in pregnancy meant that my pregnancy was VERY likely not viable.

A blighted ovum is diagnosed by ultrasound, and if you don’t trust your ultrasound, then wait and have another. But know these things.

There are instances of misdiagnosed blighted ovums, but they are very rare. This is why knowing how far along your sac is measuring is helpful.

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