Molar Pregnancy
Gestational Trophoblastic Disease
Information Booklet
Updated 1993, 1998, 2001 and 2008.
© Professor B W Hancock & Jan Everard 2008
Why am I receiving this booklet?
You are receiving this booklet because your gynaecologist has informed us that you have had a molar pregnancy.
It is unlikely that you will have heard of this before as it is such an uncommon condition occurring only once for every 750 live births. The condition can lead to confusion among patients (and doctors!) because of the different strange sounding names used to describe it, for example:
- Hydatidiform mole
- Molar pregnancy
- Partial mole
- Complete mole
- Twin mole
- Invasive mole
- Trophoblastic disease
- Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD)
- Choriocarcinoma
- Placental Site Trophoblastic Tumour
Another source of confusion is the fact that, after the initial incident which led to diagnosis of the disease, most patients feel perfectly well unless they are unfortunate enough to have developed complications. For this reason it may not be clear why we go to such lengths in monitoring and treatment. Of course, when the disease is diagnosed, we try to explain everything we have to do and why.
We hope that this booklet will answer many of your questions but we do realise you may have some questions and concerns or you may just wish to talk to somebody following your molar pregnancy
Who can I talk to?
In Sheffield at Weston Park Hospital where one of the two molar pregnancy screening and treatment centres in the United Kingdom is based we have a team of people trained and experienced in supporting women following a molar pregnancy.
One of these people is: Jan Everard, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Molar Pregnancy and Trophoblastic Disease
What are Clinical Nurse Specialists?
Clinical Nurse Specialists are nurses who are specially trained to give care and support, in this case, to patients following a molar pregnancy.
What do I do if I want this support?
You can get in touch with Jan Everard, Monday to Friday between 10am and 5pm. Telephone: 0114 2265000 and ask switchboard to bleep Jan on bleep 349.
If Jan is not available then please ring the office on: 0114 2265205.
Alternatively you may prefer to email Jan at:Janet.everard@sth.nhs.uk
If you wish to meet and talk confidentially about your condition, Jan holds a Drop In clinic once a month. For more information go to the Drop-in page
You may find the patient support website helpful: www.molarpregnancy.co.uk
This was designed and launched in April 2007 by a Sheffield patient.
If English is not your first language and you would like to discuss your molar pregnancy with our nurse specialist, we can arrange an interpreter and talk with you on the telephone.
Updated 26/11/08