Does anyone know of any reason to treat a woman who has presented with a molar pregnancy any differently after D&C? General recommendations are to wait 6-12 months before trying to conceive again, so it seems like a fantastic time to treat her and optimize her for when she is ready to TTC again. One of my questions lie within the realm of herbals,...to my understanding, a molar pregnancy that ends up being classified as choriocarcinoma (cancerous) is not estrogen dependent, so that the worry of using herbals with estrogenic properties does not apply. But, does anyone know of any other cautionary aspects (scientific or theoretical) that I should be mindful of? Any help, experience, or guidance would be great. Thanx.
Molar pregnancy: Hydatidiform mole
Fri, 2009-10-16 12:34
Molar pregnancy: Hydatidiform mole
Sat, 2009-10-17 15:33
#1
Molar pregnancy
Most likely her OB will be tracking her HCG levels until they come down to zero first, then she will be encouraged to wait a year. Its my understanding that HCG is what the molar placental cells secrete. These cells are dangerous because they may enter the bloodstream and eventually lodge into the tiny blood vessels in the brain, liver, etc. and then multiply essentially acting like cancer. It seems that giving herbs that flush the uterus can only be helpful. After her HCG levels return to zero it is recommended that she wait a year before trying to concieve again. This is to ensure that any HCG detected would clearly indicate a problem. In other words, if she were pregnant her OB would not be able to tell if the molar tissue was causing the HCG rise or if it was the pregnancy or both. Waiting for he HCG levels to drop to zero can be nerve racking. I recommend giving herbs/treatments that calm shen as well. Reassure her too, that developing the cancerous condition from the molar pregnancy is very rare. Also, consider what TCM condition contributed to the molar pregnancy ie: heat, damp, stagnation, and treat that. Good luck to you and your patient.
Sat, 2009-10-31 15:52
#2
molar pregnancy
It is a GREAT time to do something about HIM as what sort of sperm made that baby/mess? How come this happened? We seem to be sometimes be more following the medical model of just working with the woman.
In one recent example I had in clinc, they had both been very unwell from any natural medical model's perspective - and although she was an emotional wreck about the waiting period - and didn't want to and felt that I surely could short cut the process; her precious now 10 month old perfect daughter was worth it.
It just takes a lot out of us continually reinforcing wellness - and this is always a matter of changing life habits - and adjusting to living simply - no caffeine etc. Her husband was not a well stud.
Another case I had, they were really excited about getting pregnant immediately they tried - and were devastated when it was a molar. She was a lot younger than him, she was looking after herself and he was on the usual alcohol/caffeine/bad gut/too stressed treadmill - and his sperm when I asked for it to be tested (OB didn't see the point) was appalling - so how she got pregnant (with anything) at all is the issue. They have chosen to not do anything but wait - as the medicos don't seem to use the veterinary model - that it takes two to make a great offspring . . . so along the way - they could aso be improving what nature at the moment is vetoeing . ..
Men are making half the baby/cord/placenta and all too often when there is a problem, the woman take sthe 'blame' . .. . and focussing on/ obsessing about HER body and what happens in and to it we can miss what we are seeing in clinic.
At least 3/4 of the infertility I have been seeing for years is MALE - and 5% sperm normal and thinking ICSI will fix this lack-of-baby-problem is a recipe for really ill /no use offspring - as a positive pregnancy test or a live at birth baby is not all they really want.
www.foresight-preonception.org.uk is a great place to start for self awareness for them.
Heather Bruce www.easybabies.com.au www.sharpen-up-your-results.com
Mon, 2009-11-30 10:40
#3
www.foresight-preconception.org.uk
Heather, this link does not seem to be working,...did it change or is it typed in wrong? I would love to send this to my patient. Thanx