What are early signs of a complete molar pregnancy?

A complete molar pregnancy, also known as hydatidiform mole, is characterized by abnormal growth of trophoblastic tissue, which can lead to a number of distinct clinical signs. One of the early indicators of this condition is the appearance of symptoms similar to pre-eclampsia, including hypertension and proteinuria, occurring before 20 weeks of gestation. This early onset is atypical compared to normal pregnancies, where these symptoms usually develop in the later stages.

The presence of signs resembling pre-eclampsia in a pregnancy less than 20 weeks old raises suspicion for a molar pregnancy because it suggests an abnormality in trophoblastic proliferation that affects placental function.

Other potential indications such as excessive weight gain, vaginal bleeding with a normal-sized uterus, and severe abdominal pain can also be associated with gestational complications, but they do not distinctly indicate a complete molar pregnancy like the early signs of pre-eclampsia do. For instance, excessive weight gain may occur in various contexts and is not specific, while vaginal bleeding in a normal-sized uterus may be seen in benign situations or other types of pregnancy loss. Severe abdominal pain can arise from multiple obstetric conditions but is not a defining feature of a molar pregnancy.