How to recognize a frozen pregnancy at 4 months. Frozen pregnancy in the early stages: causes, symptoms, signs

Update: October 2018

Many couples dream of having a baby, but for some reason their dreams do not come true. One of these reasons is missed pregnancy.

Not only the mother, but also the father can be to blame for this pathology, therefore it is important to be fully examined at the stage of pregnancy planning and begin to lead a healthy lifestyle for both partners.

According to statistics, missed pregnancy is recorded not so rarely, in 15-20% of cases of all desired pregnancies.

The definition of "missed pregnancy"

A frozen or non-developing pregnancy is a pregnancy that suddenly stops progressing, and the fetus grows and develops, and, accordingly, dies. At the same time, signs of spontaneous abortion are absent for the time being and the embryo is in the uterine cavity, so another name for this pathology is a failed miscarriage. "Fading" of pregnancy can occur at any gestational age (up to 28 weeks), but, as a rule, this happens in the first trimester. Threatened terms of pregnancy for a missed miscarriage are 3-4 weeks, 8-10 and 16-18 weeks.

A failed miscarriage, like other spontaneous abortions, refers to miscarriage. But they speak of habitual miscarriage only in the case of two or more spontaneous abortions.

The essence of a frozen pregnancy is the fertilization of the egg, its transportation to the uterus, where it is implanted and continues to develop for some time, but then the development of the embryo stops. Also, one of the options for a missed pregnancy is anembryony or the "empty fetal egg" syndrome. In this case, the fetal membranes develop, chorionic gonadotropin is synthesized, as evidenced by a positive pregnancy test, but the embryo itself is absent. Often such a pathology is due to chromosomal pathologies.

From what the fetus can "freeze"?

The causes of missed pregnancy are very numerous. They can be divided into several groups:

Chromosomal and genetic abnormalities

This is one of the biggest and main etiological factors of a failed miscarriage. If the embryo inherits an extra chromosome or a pathological gene, then during the development process, multiple malformations are formed that are incompatible with life, and in this case, the pregnancy is terminated. The action of natural selection is evident - nature decides that it is unprofitable to produce an incapacitated baby into the world and depletes the forces of the mother's body, therefore, stops the progression of pregnancy.

But a genetic anomaly can occur during this pregnancy, when exposed to any harmful external factors (radiation, drug addiction, drinking, smoking), or it can be inherited from parents, for example, if there is a malfunction in the "susceptibility genes". So, if the fetal egg “accepted” the “thrombophilia gene” from the parents, then during its implantation in the uterus and the germination of chorionic vessels into the mucous membrane, microthrombi are formed in them, which leads to disruption of nutrition and blood supply to the embryo and its death.

infections

Infectious diseases play a huge role in the genesis of both spontaneous abortion and missed pregnancy. First of all, these are viral diseases of the TORCH infection group. These include rubella, toxoplasmosis, herpetic and cytomegalovirus infections. Especially dangerous is the primary infection with the listed infections during the onset of pregnancy.

In the early stages, this leads to a "fading" of pregnancy, in the later stages to the formation of developmental anomalies. Also, sexual infections (gonococcal, chlamydia, ureaplasma and others) do not lose their significance. Even banal colds (flu, SARS) in the early stages are the cause of a failed miscarriage. The death of the embryo is due to three mechanisms.

• On the one hand, infectious agents, having penetrated the placenta, have a direct effect on the fetus.
• On the other hand, the infection triggers the production of prostaglandins in the maternal body, which either have a toxic effect on the embryo or disrupt the microcirculation between the fetal membranes and the endometrium, as a result, the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the embryo stops.
• And on the third hand, a chronic inflammatory reaction in the uterus disrupts the normal implantation of the fetal egg and leads to a deficiency in its nutrition.

Hormonal disorders

The lack of the most important hormone of pregnancy is often one of the factors of miscarriage. A high content of androgens, or a violation of the hormonal function of the thyroid gland, also plays a role.

Autoimmune pathology

Autoimmune diseases are characterized by the fact that antibodies are formed in the mother's body that fight not with foreign agents, but with their own cells. Since the embryo inherits 50% of the genes from the mother, maternal antibodies begin to attack the cells of his body, which leads to the occurrence of a missed pregnancy.

For example, with antiphospholipid syndrome, the mother in her body has antibodies to phospholipids, without which it is impossible to build new cells. During pregnancy, these antibodies attack the developing embryo, which leads to its death.

Teratozoospermia

The failed father of the child may also be guilty of stopping the development of the embryo and its death. Such a pathology as teratozoospermia often causes partner infertility, but pregnancy in some cases, although it may occur, is likely to end in a failed miscarriage. Teratozoospermia is a pathology of spermatozoa, which is expressed in their incorrect structure. Anomalies in the structure of spermatozoa can manifest themselves in the form of a short tail, an irregular head shape, vacuole cells present in the head, a missing chromosome, tail kink or thickening.

Teratozoospermia is said to be when a man's ejaculate contains more than 50% (usually 80%) of abnormal spermatozoa. Conception is either impossible at all, for example, due to a short tail, sperm motility is low, or fertilization of the egg occurs if the spermatozoa have anomalies of the head, which leads to abnormal development of the embryo and cessation of pregnancy progression. After examination (see) and treatment of a man, many couples are forced to turn to assisted reproductive technologies, such as artificial insemination.

Wrong way of life

Of course, the occurrence of a missed pregnancy can be affected by both nutrition, daily routine, occupational hazards, and bad habits. Also, one should not forget about the dangerous side effects of drugs taken during gestation, especially in the early stages. The age of the woman is also important. The older the expectant mother, the higher her risk of developing a non-developing pregnancy (35 years or more).

Other factors

Constant stress, a sharp change in climate and other factors can lead to a non-developing pregnancy. In addition, they cause endometrial failure, which leads to malnutrition and oxygen supply to the embryo and the development of the described pathology. After IVF, cases of missed pregnancy are also not uncommon, but the causes of this pathology are due to the diseases that forced the woman to turn to assisted reproductive technologies.

Abortion clinic

Symptoms of a missed pregnancy have characteristic signs. First of all, the probable signs of pregnancy disappear in a woman (in the first trimester). Nausea and vomiting, intolerance to smells disappear, the mammary glands lose tension and become soft. However, the disappearance of these symptoms does not always indicate the death of the embryo.

• Early toxicosis may be absent, as well as breast engorgement.
• Often the moment of embryonic death goes unnoticed.
• The pregnancy test remains positive for another 2 to 4 weeks, since hCG is not immediately excreted from the body.
• But the basal temperature will be in the range of 37 degrees and below.
• If the dead embryo is in the uterus for more than 3-4 weeks, then an intoxication syndrome occurs (fever, general weakness and malaise) due to decomposition of the embryo and infection of the mother with decay products of fetal tissues and toxins.
• If a frozen pregnancy arose in the second trimester, then the first call will be the cessation of fetal movement.
• When a dead embryo is in the uterus for more than 2-6 weeks, signs of a spontaneous abortion that have begun (smearing dark discharge, aching pain in the lower abdomen and lower back) join.
• Plus, during a gynecological examination, the lag of the uterus in growth from the approximate gestational age is determined. That is why gynecologists perform bimanual palpation of the uterus (examination on the chair) in the first trimester during each woman's appointment.

Case Study: In the antenatal clinic, a multi-pregnant woman was observed from 6 weeks of pregnancy. From the anamnesis it is known that there were 3 births, abortions and medical-diagnostic curettage were not performed. The pregnant woman and her husband did not have bad habits, there were no chronic diseases. The only negative point was the woman's age (40 years) and work in night shifts (nurse). During the next visit to the reception, the woman complained of pulling pains in the lower abdomen and periodic "daub". On vaginal examination, the uterus is soft, enlarged up to 12 weeks, painless (estimated period was 16 weeks). After confirming the diagnosis of a missed pregnancy by ultrasound, the woman underwent curettage of the uterus and antibiotic therapy was prescribed. Fortunately, there were no infectious and coagulopathic complications, and after 10 days the patient was discharged home. What caused the missed pregnancy was never established, since parts of the fetus sent for histological analysis were "lost" in the laboratory.

Treatment of a missed miscarriage

A woman must be immediately hospitalized even if a missed pregnancy is suspected.

• After the examination (ultrasound, hCG in the early stages and AFP in the second trimester, coagulogram), a careful evacuation of the fetal egg is performed.
• Expectant tactics are possible if the embryo is dead for no more than 2 weeks (in the early stages of pregnancy) and there are no signs of an abortion and infection of the uterus. In this case, the level of hCG in the woman's body drops sharply, and the uterus begins to contract, pushing out the fetal egg. But, as a rule, they resort to a surgical method, that is, to remove the fetal egg and membranes by therapeutic curettage or vacuum aspiration.
• It is possible to use medical abortion (up to 7 weeks) by prescribing Mifegin (progesterone blocker).

After surgical or medical release of the uterus from the embryo, it is necessary. In the postoperative period, antibiotics are prescribed to prevent endometritis and chorionamnionitis.

If the death of the fetus occurred after 14-16 weeks of gestation, then its evacuation is carried out by transcervical amniocentesis of a hypertonic solution of sodium chloride and / or prostaglandins or intravenous administration of a solution of prostaglandins.

Frozen pregnancy: what then?

What to do after a frozen pregnancy? - this question is puzzled by all patients. The material obtained after curettage or induced labor must be sent for histology. In some cases (if a chromosomal pathology is suspected), a genetic study of the tissues of the embryo (the number and quality of chromosomes) is additionally prescribed.

A woman is recommended to refrain from pregnancy for six months, while oral contraceptives are prescribed (Yarina, Zhanin). An examination for all genital TORCH infections is also indicated. The hormonal status of a woman is necessarily examined, if necessary, an adjustment is made. In addition, an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs, the blood coagulation system and a blood test for antibodies to its own phospholipids are performed.

When planning the next pregnancy, spouses are advised to give up bad habits, lead a healthy lifestyle, treat infectious diseases and, if possible, eliminate the causes that led to a missed pregnancy. A woman is prescribed folic acid and vitamin E 3 months before pregnancy and during the first 12 weeks of gestation.

A missed pregnancy can occur in women of any age. The emergence of this pathology contributes to the confluence of many factors and circumstances. To prevent fetal fading, you must strictly follow the recommendations and advice of the gynecologist who is observing you, as well as carefully take care of your own health even at the stage of planning the birth of a child.

Fortunately, this pathology is quite rare in women: out of 176 normally developing pregnancies, one is a miscarriage. A missed pregnancy is understood as a pathology of the development of pregnancy, in which the development and growth of the fetus stops, as a result of which it dies. This phenomenon occurs at all stages of pregnancy, but most often in the first three months of pregnancy (up to 13 weeks). A frozen pregnancy can provoke the occurrence of inflammatory processes in the female body, as well as lead to other undesirable consequences. In particular, it poses some threat to future offspring. Symptoms of a missed pregnancy can be observed in the early and late stages of gestation, while the signs in the second trimester will differ from those in the early stages.

How to determine a missed pregnancy in time?
As a rule, the symptoms of fetal freezing are very accurate, and medical diagnosis does not cause difficulties at all. The most important sign of cessation of growth and development of the embryo is the disappearance of signs of a developing pregnancy. When the first suspicions appear, it is necessary to consult a doctor who, according to the results of an ultrasound examination, will reveal the presence or absence of symptoms of a frozen embryo.

To date, doctors have calculated the terms of fetal development, at which the risk of fading is very high: the first 3-4 weeks, from 8 to 11 weeks and from 16 to 18 weeks of pregnancy. The probability of developing a missed pregnancy is especially high at the eighth week, when changes in the mother's body are observed and the most important organs of the unborn child are laid.

Causes of missed pregnancy.
Anything can provoke such a phenomenon, starting with a violation of the hormonal background of the mother and genetic disorders in the fetus, and ending with acute infectious diseases and bad habits. The most common causes of a missed pregnancy are a woman's drinking in large quantities, drugs and cigarettes, as well as diseases such as herpes, chlamydia, toxoplasmosis, etc. Of course, if a woman really wants to have a healthy baby, then she will eliminate all these dangerous factors in the early stages of bearing a child.

Genetic anomalies in the development of the embryo are the most common factor provoking fetal fading (70% of cases) for up to eight weeks. In this case, nature itself does not give life to the initially “sick” fetus. In the future, if both parents are absolutely healthy, there is a very high probability that this situation will not happen again. If the second, third and subsequent pregnancies in a row end in the freezing of the embryo, this indicates the fault of genetic factors.

Hormonal disorders in the body of a woman also often provoke the development of a missed pregnancy. This is mainly due to a lack of progesterone or pregnancy hormone in the female body, without which the successful attachment of the embryo to the uterus cannot occur.

Hyperandrogenism is also one of the causes of fetal fading. Approximately twenty percent of women during the bearing of a child increase the level of male sex hormones (androgens), as a result of which the woman begins to form masculine features (excessive vegetation, changes in skin properties, voice, physique, etc.). Therefore, if there has been a frozen pregnancy, miscarriage, frequent delays in menstruation and male-type hair growth, it is important to take tests to determine the hormonal status and, if necessary, undergo a course of treatment before planning a pregnancy, thereby preventing or significantly reducing the likelihood of fetal fading in the future. .

Various infections can cause the fetus to freeze not only in the early, but also in the later stages of gestation (about 30% of cases). During the bearing of a child, the woman's immunity is completely suppressed, because then the body would simply begin to fight the foreign body that appeared, which is the embryo. As a result, the mother's body becomes very vulnerable to various infections. In women who are in position, all infectious diseases begin to worsen. Non-dangerous flora begins to multiply intensively, the vaginal microflora is activated, creating a threat of intrauterine infection of the fetus. But of particular danger is the infection of the expectant mother during pregnancy, and not the exacerbation of existing infectious diseases. In particular, infection with chickenpox or rubella, in addition to a missed abortion, can cause an abnormality in the development of the fetus. In this situation, the question of artificial termination of pregnancy already arises. Irreversible changes can lead to infection with cytomegalovirus (CMV), which provokes multiple malformations of the embryo.

A serious danger to the fetus is the common flu, which a pregnant woman can “catch”. Due to weakened immunity, even the usual SARS is very difficult to tolerate. It is worth noting that the danger is not at all the virus itself, but how many of its manifestations: intoxication, fever, which, in turn, disrupts the blood flow from the mother to the fetus. As a result of a lack of oxygen and essential nutrients, the fetus may die.

An unhealthy lifestyle, including an unbalanced diet and bad habits, frequent stress and overstrain can also cause fetal fading. In addition, insufficient walks in the fresh air, drinking coffee and other harmful drinks can cause complications in the form of early placental abruption and increased uterine tone. All this leads to impaired blood flow, as a result, the fetus does not receive enough oxygen and necessary substances.

It should be noted that very often pregnancy as a result of in vitro fertilization ends with the freezing of the embryo or spontaneous miscarriage.

The cause of a missed pregnancy can also be the use by a woman (not aware of her pregnancy) of drugs, the use of which is contraindicated during childbearing. You should know that a few months before the planned pregnancy, as well as during it, it is not recommended to use any medications without a doctor's prescription. However, taking medicines in the early stages (7-10 days) cannot cause a missed pregnancy, since at this time there is still no close connection between the embryo and its mother. At a period after 8-10 weeks of pregnancy, the placenta protects from the effects of drugs, so the likelihood of cases of missed pregnancy at a later date is slightly reduced. If the expectant mother works in a hazardous industry, then the risk of developing a missed pregnancy is very high.

After the fetus fades, it takes six months for the body to restore the endometrium and hormonal status to prepare for the next pregnancy. During this period, you can carry out all the necessary medical procedures that will allow you to conceive and normally endure a full-fledged and healthy baby.

Symptoms of missed pregnancy and its diagnosis.
Unfortunately, in the early stages, a frozen pregnancy may not manifest itself in any way. The first signal indicating the presence of a problem is the sudden cessation of attacks of toxicosis, if there were any before. At the same time, other obvious symptoms that indicate the presence of pregnancy disappear: a decrease in basal temperature, pain in the mammary glands. In the early stages, a woman may not pay attention to such signs. At a later gestation period, a missed pregnancy can manifest itself in the form of pain in the lower abdomen or bloody discharge from the vagina. These symptoms may indicate exfoliation of the fetal egg during a miscarriage. Another main symptom in the later stages is the cessation of fetal movement. Unfortunately, at home it is very difficult to determine a missed pregnancy. The belly may still grow, and blood tests indicate the presence of pregnancy. However, in this case, not a fetus can develop, but an empty fetal membrane inside.

A missed pregnancy is diagnosed by a gynecological examination, an ultrasound examination of the small pelvis and a blood test for hCG. When examined by a gynecologist, the pathology is determined by the size of the uterus, which should correspond to the norm for the current gestational age. Ultrasound shows the absence of a fetal heartbeat, as well as anembryony (a disorder in which the fetal egg is completely empty). On a hormonal blood test (hCG), a similar problem is characterized by a deviation in the level of the pregnancy hormone from the indicators characteristic of a normal pregnancy.

As a rule, a frozen pregnancy ends with curettage (cleaning) of the uterine cavity in stationary conditions using vacuum aspiration (at an early stage) or, under the supervision of a doctor, cause a miscarriage with the help of special medications. Sometimes it also happens that a woman who has a frozen pregnancy without medical intervention ends in a spontaneous miscarriage. If this does not happen for a certain time, and according to ultrasound, there are remnants of the fetal egg in the uterus, then the above measures are resorted to, after which antibiotic therapy is carried out. Two weeks later, an ultrasound is done to assess the recovery of the body.

Consequences of a missed pregnancy.
If there was a frozen pregnancy, this does not mean at all that a woman will not be able to have children in the future. Very often, doctors cannot fully identify the cause of this phenomenon, while in the vast majority of cases, women become pregnant and carry a child normally. If cases of missed pregnancy occur repeatedly, it is necessary to undergo a complete medical examination of both partners, since repeated cases may indicate a woman's inability to bear a child.

The fact that a missed pregnancy has a serious effect on the physical health of a woman is a fact. But the psychological problems associated with it are more serious. A woman experiences fear in planning her next pregnancy due to bad past experiences. Over time, all fears go away, especially if a woman hears the stories of women who have been in the same situation, who then conceived, endured and gave birth normally to a baby.

Recovery and treatment after a frozen pregnancy.
Before prescribing treatment, both partners undergo a full course of examination: they are tested for sex hormones and thyroid hormones, swabs for various sexually transmitted infections by PCR (to detect hidden sexual infections), undergo an ultrasound examination, determine group compatibility and etc., which will make it possible to identify and eliminate the causes that caused the development of pathology.

After the doctors have identified the causes of the missed pregnancy and carried out appropriate treatment if necessary, the woman must restore her strength before planning the next pregnancy. It will take her about six months to do this. During this period, it is important to take all possible preventive measures to prevent a recurrence of the situation (lead a healthy lifestyle, take vitamins, use contraceptives). The woman herself needs to contact a psychologist who will help overcome fears and worries about planning the next pregnancy.

A woman who has experienced a similar situation, with normal tests, may not need treatment, because, as I said, most often a missed pregnancy develops due to a genetic failure, the recurrence of which is unlikely to be observed in the future. However, with repeated cases of fetal fading, treatment is mandatory.

Prevention of missed pregnancy.
To prevent the recurrence of such a situation, it is necessary to observe preventive measures even before planning a pregnancy. Prevention will help reduce the risk of a recurrence of the tragedy.

So, in the presence of sexually transmitted infections, it is necessary to get rid of them at least three months before the planned conception. If you did not have diseases such as rubella or chickenpox as a child, you should be vaccinated, especially if you often come into contact with children (for example, work in a kindergarten).

To prevent miscarriage and other complications, all women need to eat a rational and balanced diet, including more fresh vegetables and fruits in their diet. In addition, it is necessary to abandon all bad habits, as they dramatically increase the risk of a missed pregnancy. Be more outdoors.

Who is at risk for repeated non-developing pregnancy?

• Women who have had abortions, and the more abortions, the higher the likelihood of encountering such a complication.
• Women who have had an ectopic pregnancy, as well as those whose fetal heart has stopped beating in the last weeks of pregnancy.
• Women with infectious and viral diseases of the genital organs.
• Women over thirty. It is desirable for every woman to give birth to her first child before the age of thirty.
• Women with some anatomical features of the reproductive system (bicornuate and saddle uterus).
• Women with uterine fibroids. It leads to deformation of the uterine cavity and prevents the fetal egg from attaching.
• Suffering from endocrine disorders (diabetes mellitus, decreased thyroid function, cycle disorders, impaired progesterone production).

In conclusion, I would like to note that the best prevention of any complications of pregnancy is to maintain a healthy lifestyle, regularly visit a gynecologist and strictly follow his instructions.

Frozen pregnancy- this is an abnormal stop in the development of the fetus, ending in its death. An undeveloped pregnancy proceeds with symptoms characteristic of healthy gestation: the mammary glands become sensitive, menstruation stops, the uterus enlarges, hormones are released. However, sometimes for unknown reasons, the fetus dies.

You should know that according to statistics, after a premature termination of pregnancy due to a missed pregnancy, up to 90% of women safely give birth to a healthy child.

Termination of fetal development can occur at any age and at any time of prenatal development, however, it is most often diagnosed in the early stages - in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Currently, statistical data make it possible to determine the periods most at risk for the development of pathology. Most cases a missed pregnancy was recorded at the 8th obstetric week, 3-4, 9-11, 16-18 weeks are less dangerous. In the second and third trimester of pregnancy, the risk of developing pathology is significantly lower.

What is the risk of missed pregnancy

In the early stages of pregnancy, due to the implicit signs of an anomaly, the expectant mother may not immediately pay attention to the cessation of fetal development. Rejection of the fetal egg occurs, as a rule, within 14-17 days, so a woman can walk with a dead embryo in the uterus for up to 2.5 weeks. And if spontaneous does not happen, and longer. In this case, the appeal to the gynecologist occurs already at the stage severe inflammation and poisoning of the body pregnant with fetal membranes.

At any stage of prenatal development, fetal pathology can lead to changes in blood clotting and further bleeding which poses a threat to the woman's life.

Possible changes in a woman's body can lead to reproductive dysfunction, so you should pay attention to even the smallest deviations in well-being.

Why does pregnancy freeze? Unfortunately, it is sometimes not possible to accurately determine the etiology of the appearance of a missed pregnancy. However, experts identify the most common causes of pathology:

Genetic disorders of the fetus

The most common cause that affects the appearance of a missed pregnancy in the early stages (in the first trimester), experts call chromosomal abnormalities the embryo itself. Pathology can be inherited from the father or mother. As a rule, the consequence of a genetic failure manifests itself in the early stages of pregnancy.

Obstetrician-gynecologists say that the probable cause second or third stop embryonic development is an unfortunate combination of the genetic material of the parents.

Hormonal disorders

The entire period of bearing a child proceeds under the influence of hormones produced by the woman's body. Therefore, any violation of the well-established production of biologically active substances can lead to the death of the fetus. The most common root cause of the pathological process is considered to be a lack of maternal blood and estrogen or an excess of the male hormone testosterone.

Rh conflict

The difference between a positive Rh factor of a child and a negative mother, doctors call the Rh conflict. Rhesus conflict is manifested in the production of antibodies by the mother's body, as a result of which fetal death may also develop. As a rule, specialists diagnose such a condition in time and take preventive measures to prevent it.

infections

During the prenatal period, due to a general weakening of the immune system, all chronic infectious processes are exacerbated in a woman. Those "harmless" infections (ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis), which previously did not manifest themselves in any way and did not cause any problems, during this period can provoke the death of the embryo.

Serious sexually transmitted diseases, such as syphilis and gonorrhea, pose a threat not only to the fetus, but also to the mother's body. Infection and rubella during pregnancy, in addition to the appearance of various defects, also leads to fetal fading. The influenza virus is dangerous not so much by the pathogen itself, but by the manifestation of the symptoms of the disease, especially an increase in body temperature.

Blood clotting disorders

Sometimes, due to a genetic predisposition, antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) occurs in the mother's body. The syndrome is manifested by the formation of blood clots in the vessels and capillaries of the placenta. Violation of blood flow interferes with the normal nutrition of the fetus, which subsequently leads to its death.

Medicines

Taking certain medications can lead to irreversible consequences for the embryo. Therefore, you should take medicines only after consultation with your doctor.

stress

Adverse emotional overload has a devastating effect on the health of the mother and fetus. A pregnant woman should try to exclude any stressful loads and overwork from her life.

physical impact

Heavy lifting, heavy physical exertion at work, or abdominal trauma can cause uterine hypertonicity and lead to fetal growth arrest. Therefore, one must adhere to the recommendations of the doctor, do not overload yourself, do not wear high heels to avoid falls.

Wrong way of life

The abuse of alcohol, drugs or smoking is harmful to anyone. However, the child in the womb is especially sensitive to these influences. For its further successful development, bad habits should be abandoned.

In most cases, miscarriage is the result of an unfavorable combination of various conditions and factors that are completely surmountable for any woman.

How a frozen pregnancy manifests itself: signs and symptoms

What are the first signs and symptoms of a missed pregnancy in the early stages, how to determine it? In the first trimester of pregnancy, a stop in the development of the embryo may not be noticeable to a woman.

Initially, a characteristic sign and symptom of a missed pregnancy in the first trimester can be disappearance and sensitivity of the mammary glands.

After detachment of the fetal egg from the uterus in the abdomen and lower back appear cramping pulling pains, at the same time, blood or are secreted from the genitals. Signs of intoxication with the decay products of the membranes may appear: sharp pain, fever, chills, weakness.

Does the test show a frozen pregnancy? The concentration in the blood of the hormone chorionic gonadotropin and progesterone is rapidly decreasing. This allows you to use a conventional pregnancy test for diagnosis, with a frozen embryo the test result is negative.

At all periods of bearing a child, a sign of fetal pathology is a decrease. It should be noted that a low basal temperature does not occur in all women with a missed pregnancy.

The main symptom of a missed pregnancy in the late stages of prenatal development is lack of physical activity child. If any of the above signs or symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

You can diagnose a fetal developmental stop with the help of a gynecological examination and ultrasound.

Blood or urine test for hCG used in early pregnancy or as an auxiliary marker in later stages to exclude miscarriage. The hormone human chorionic gonadotropin is produced by the chorion, which will later turn into the placenta of the fetus. With a frozen pregnancy, the hCG hormone ceases to be produced and shows significantly reduced rates within 5-7 days. With a frozen pregnancy, the test shows the absence of pregnancy. If the anomaly occurs during the second and third pregnancy, high levels of gonadotropin levels can last for a month.

During a gynecological examination fetal pathology is diagnosed by a discrepancy between the size of the uterus and the gestational age. The doctor also pays attention to the opening of the cervical canal, the nature of the discharge and the absence of cyanosis (cyanosis) of the cervix.

The most reliable results in the diagnosis of fetal fading are shown by ultrasound procedure. With the help of the doctor determines the presence or absence of a heartbeat in the embryo. However, this can be done only from the 5th obstetric week of development, it is at this time that the device will be able to record the heartbeat of the child. Although, there are cases of errors in diagnosing a miscarriage using ultrasound. Therefore, at the slightest suspicion of the incompetence of the doctor, we recommend duplicating with another specialist.

If the specialist doubts the diagnosis, as a rule, repeated studies are prescribed after a short period of time.

The tactics of treating fetal pathology will depend on the period of prenatal development and the state of health of the mother.

After making a diagnosis and taking tests after a frozen pregnancy, the doctor takes a wait-and-see attitude, because in most cases natural miscarriage- the most gentle way to remove the fetus for a woman's health. If the natural process did not occur, special medical preparations causing artificial contraction of the uterus. It should be noted that drug treatment is possible until the 8th week of pregnancy.

Another way to extract the ovum is called vacuum aspiration. Currently, this method of treatment is the most popular among specialists. The advantages of vacuum can be called: minimal damage to the mucous membrane of the uterus and cervix, rapid recovery of the uterine cavity after the procedure, the minimum time for the operation.

At a later date, the cleaning of the uterus after a frozen pregnancy occurs when surgical intervention(scraping). After a gynecological procedure, manifestations of various inflammatory processes, adhesions (synechia) and even perforations of the uterus are likely.

If timely treatment of a missed pregnancy is not carried out, health implications women can be very serious: from inflammation of the pelvic organs and intoxication of the body to infertility.

Prevention of missed pregnancy

Before planning your next pregnancy, you should preventive treatment to prevent recurrence of the pathology. To this end, it is necessary to take tests to identify possible reasons for stopping the development of the fetus.

What examinations and analyzes hand over after a frozen pregnancy?

• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs;
• analysis of the level of hormones in the blood;
• a blood test for the level of antibodies to viral diseases;
• smear test for STDs;
• genetic study of the compatibility of partners;
• results are also important.

If all tests show no abnormalities, treatment is likely not required. In case of detection of deviations in the health of a woman, it is imperative to undergo a course of preventive treatment prescribed by a doctor.

Is it possible, how and when? Experts look at the question of planning a pregnancy in different ways. So, in European countries, pregnancy is already allowed 2-3 months after pathology, while in the countries of the former USSR, doctors recommend refraining from conception for 6 months.

For example, if a viral infection was the reason for the cessation of the development of the fetus, experts advise waiting until the body has developed an immune response against the infection.

A lot of people ask about planning!? After scraping, the gynecologist prescribes a mandatory three-month intake of contraceptives to restore the uterine mucosa. In the case of a chromosomal abnormality of the embryo, it is necessary to wait only until the restoration of the pelvic organs after the removal of the missed abortion. Then you can safely try again. As we wrote above, you have a 90% chance that the next pregnancy will be successful.

Prosperous prenatal development The child will be helped by following simple recommendations:

• take folic acid before conception;
• go through a general strengthening;
• lead a healthy lifestyle;
• monitor the microflora of the genital organs;
• do not self-medicate;
• follow the doctor's recommendations.

Statistics show that in most cases, repeated pregnancies end in the birth of a healthy baby, so do not despair and blame yourself or your partner.

Video about missed pregnancy

We invite you to watch a video about a missed pregnancy, in which the doctor will talk about the possible causes of such a process. It will help to look at this circumstance from a different angle.

Frozen pregnancy is a difficult period in the life of every woman. It is especially difficult to go through this in the late stages of pregnancy, when the expectant mother has already heard the baby's heartbeat or felt his movements. How did you cope with this period? How long did your doctor say that you can get pregnant after a missed pregnancy? Share your experience, perhaps it will be useful for another woman.

A woman of any age can face a problem called missed pregnancy. The reasons for this phenomenon are numerous factors and circumstances. Careful care of your body during conception and strict adherence to the recommendations of a leading specialist during the gestation period will help prevent freezing.

This pathology is not so common. However, not so rare as to consider that it can never touch you. The probability of a missed pregnancy compared to a normal pregnancy is about 1 in 170. Therefore, it is important for a pregnant woman to monitor her condition and know well how a missed pregnancy manifests itself in order to recognize the symptoms of this disease in time, since it is fraught with serious complications for a woman's health.

A frozen pregnancy implies an abnormal course of pregnancy, as a result of which the fetus stops developing and growing. The result of this process is intrauterine fetal death. The process of embryonic freezing can occur at any stage of pregnancy, but most often it occurs in the first trimester. The fading of the fetus causes inflammatory processes in the female body and complications of a different nature.

The main danger of a missed pregnancy is that the dead fetus may begin to decompose, and a focus of infection will appear inside the body.

Of course, the woman's body is trying to reject the dead fetus. But this process is not instantaneous. It usually takes 2-2.5 weeks, after which a miscarriage occurs. However, this does not always happen, and in this case, to extract the fetus, one has to resort to medical procedures.

Statistics show that missed pregnancy occurs most often in the first trimester. The most dangerous is the 8th week, during which the laying of the main organs of the embryo takes place. Also, the peaks of the probability of occurrence of pathology are observed at 3-4, 9-11 and 16-18 weeks. The probability of fetal death at a later date is significantly lower. However, a 9-month-old pregnancy is not an unbelievable event and, unfortunately, it does happen.

What factors cause missed pregnancy?

The main reasons that provoke the fading of pregnancy include:

• Diseases of viral and infectious origin in a pregnant woman
• Rhesus conflict
• Blood clotting disorders
• Uterine pathologies, congenital or acquired
• Previous abortions
• Hormonal imbalance
• Nutritional imbalance
• Eating unhealthy foods
• Drug Abuse
• stress
• genetic predisposition
• Harmful working conditions
• IVF or artificial insemination

Pathology of this kind can provoke the presence of acute infectious diseases and bad habits. The disturbed hormonal background of the expectant mother can disrupt the genetic background of the embryo. This is facilitated by the use of alcohol, drugs and smoking. Among the infectious diseases that contribute to the appearance of a missed pregnancy, there may be such common household infections as influenza, acute respiratory infections, rubella. Also dangerous are toxoplasmosis and sexually transmitted diseases: chlamydia, trichomoniasis, mycoplasmosis and others.

In a woman with identified infectious diseases such as herpes, the likelihood of pregnancy fading increases several times. If a woman wants to give birth to a strong healthy child, all these reasons are eliminated before conception.

Another common circumstance in the form of a genetic anomaly accompanies the fading of the embryo in the early stages. This is due to a genetic disorder that makes the fetus unviable. With the absolute health of both partners, the recurrence of this phenomenon is excluded. However, the subsequent phenomena of fetal fading indicate a serious genetic disorder.

With a fading caused by a genetic disorder, we can talk about a lack of certain hormones involved in the process of fixing the embryo.

In some cases, there is a so-called Rhesus conflict. It occurs when the fetus has a positive Rh factor in the blood, and the mother has a negative one. As a result, the mother's body produces antibodies, which causes oxygen starvation of the fetus.

Violation of blood clotting in the mother's body can also lead to pregnancy fading. The consequence of this syndrome is the appearance of blood clots in the vessels of the placenta and a violation of the blood supply to the fetus.

In addition, statistics show that with in vitro fertilization, the fading of pregnancy is somewhat more common than with natural fertilization. In women giving birth after 35 years, pathology is also more common than in young women.

Prevention

The expectant mother should avoid the influence of all negative factors that provoke the appearance of pathology. During pregnancy, it is necessary to refrain from drinking alcohol, reduce stress and physical activity, especially weight lifting, and eat properly and balanced. Loose clothing should be worn that does not compress the lower abdomen.

Symptoms

Fading pregnancy is possible at all stages of pregnancy, but most often it occurs in the first trimester. Therefore, the possible symptoms of a missed pregnancy should usually be paid special attention to in the first months.

First of all, fading can manifest itself in the form of severe pain in the lower abdomen. Pain can be pulling or cramping. They are caused by uterine contractions. There is also a vaginal discharge that is bloody and not clear or milky, which is normal. This suggests that a detachment of the fetal egg has occurred. Discharges containing pus may indicate that the pregnancy has stopped for a long time, and the fetus is currently decomposing. In the second trimester, with a missed pregnancy, the main symptom is the absence of embryo movements. In this case, further growth of the abdomen is observed. In this case, the intrafetal membrane develops with a dead embryo.

Also, one of the symptoms of pregnancy may be a decrease or absence of sensitivity and soreness of the mammary glands.

Particular attention should be noted on toxicosis, or rather, on its absence. Toxicosis in one form or another is observed in most pregnant women. If you notice a sharp disappearance of the symptoms of toxicosis, then this is a reason to be wary.

Another sign is a decrease in basal temperature. However, it can only be useful if a woman constantly measures her basal body temperature.

However, the signs of a missed pregnancy cannot always be recognized at the initial stage.

Sometimes with pathology, a strong increase in temperature can be observed. If a woman has a fever, then this may be due to the process of decomposition of the fetus that has begun.

What to do when symptoms appear?

If you suspect that you have a missed pregnancy and see characteristic signs, then you should not delay. You must immediately consult a doctor.

In case of severe fever, consult a doctor immediately! This may indicate an advanced stage of pathology. Delay in this case is fraught with sepsis and death!

Pregnancy fading can be diagnosed using ultrasound and laboratory blood tests. An examination by a gynecologist is also important, which can show whether the size of the uterus has changed. Ultrasound can determine if there is a fetal heartbeat, and if the size of the fetus is appropriate for the gestational age. Laboratory studies provide information about the level of hormones, primarily human chorionic gonadotropin. In some cases, it may be found that the fetus is absent altogether.

The actions of doctors with a frozen pregnancy largely depend on the period at which it was discovered. There are three main approaches:

• Spontaneous miscarriage. In many cases, it occurs on its own, due to a decrease in hormone levels. If there is a possibility that the miscarriage will happen in a few days by itself, then it is preferable to wait for it, rather than use medication.
• Medical miscarriage. The method is used if the pregnancy lasts no more than 8 weeks.
• Removal of the fetus by surgery. It consists in cleaning the uterine cavity. This operation must be performed in a hospital.

In any case, after termination of pregnancy, antibiotic therapy is prescribed. In addition, drugs for contraception, vitamin complexes, antibiotics, drugs that increase immunity can be prescribed. These measures serve to prevent the disease. Repeated repetition of such a situation indicates the need for examination.

The fading of pregnancy, as a rule, does not have very serious consequences. In most cases, with proper therapy, the next pregnancy is possible after 3-6 months. Acquired infertility after a frozen pregnancy rarely develops, only in 1 out of 10 cases.

Many couples dream of trying on the role of young parents. Unfortunately, this desire is not always realized. One of the reasons for this problem is missed pregnancy. Both the father and the mother can be to blame for this pathology. That is why it is so important at the planning stage to undergo a complete examination of both partners. What if it's early? How to prevent this pathology?

general information

A missed pregnancy is a condition in which the fetus stops growing and developing, as a result of which it dies. Signs of spontaneous abortion may be absent, but the embryo remains in the uterine cavity. That is why such a pathology is also called a failed miscarriage. Fading can happen at any time, but most often it occurs in the first trimester. The most dangerous are the 3-4th and 8-10th weeks.

What happens during a missed pregnancy? The fertilized egg travels to the uterus, where it is implanted. After some time, the growth of the embryo stops. Another variant of a missed pregnancy is the empty egg syndrome. In this case, the fetal membranes develop, chorionic gonadotropin is synthesized, but the embryo itself is absent. If you take a pregnancy test, the result will be positive. Among the main causes that affect the occurrence of empty egg syndrome, doctors distinguish various chromosomal pathologies.

How often is a missed pregnancy diagnosed?

According to statistics, every second woman's pregnancy "freezes" and ends in spontaneous abortion. This usually happens before the lady finds out about her interesting position. The risk of developing this pathology after the test shows a positive result is no more than 20%.

How to determine a frozen pregnancy in the early stages?

The development and growth of the fetus over nine months depends on many factors. Sometimes a certain set of circumstances can lead to a stop in this process and the death of the embryo. The symptoms of freezing are very obvious, and medical diagnosis usually does not cause difficulties. The first in the early stages is the disappearance of a condition that is characteristic of a woman in a position. In this case, you must consult a doctor. A specialist in the results of an ultrasound examination will be able to determine the presence or absence of pathology. After that, appropriate treatment is prescribed.

Causes of pathology

Why does pregnancy freeze at an early stage? This is the question asked by women who have already had to face this problem. Doctors identify a number of factors that can affect the formation of the pathological process.

1. Chromosomal and genetic abnormalities. This is the most common cause of a missed miscarriage. When an embryo inherits a pathological gene or an extra chromosome, various defects appear in the development process. Most often they are incompatible with life, so the fetus dies inside the womb. This is where the rule of natural selection comes into play. Nature itself decides that it is wrong to give birth to an incapacitated baby, therefore it “terminates” the pregnancy. A genetic anomaly can also occur against the background of smoking or drinking alcohol.
2. Infections. A huge role in the genesis of missed pregnancy belongs to infectious diseases. These include rubella, toxoplasmosis, herpes infection. Sexual diseases and common colds should not be ignored. Infection in the first trimester is especially dangerous. Infectious agents after penetration through the placenta affect the fetus. They can interfere with normal implantation and nutrition of the embryo. As a result, it turns out that the pregnancy froze at an early stage.
3. Hormonal disorders. Deficiency of the main pregnancy hormone progesterone can serve as one of the causes of fading.
4. Autoimmune pathologies. With such diseases, antibodies begin to be produced in the mother's body. They fight not with foreign elements, but with their own cells. It is known that the embryo inherits about 50% of the mother's genes. As a result, antibodies begin to kill the cells of the fetal body, which entails its death.
5. Teratozoospermia. In a missed pregnancy, sometimes the father himself is to blame. Teratozoospermia usually causes male infertility. If you still manage to conceive a child, usually its development stops at the initial stages. Teratozoospermia is a pathology of spermatozoa, which is expressed in their abnormal structure. It can manifest itself as an irregularly shaped head, a short tail or its inflection.
6. Wrong way of life. The occurrence of a missed pregnancy is affected by the nutrition of the future woman in labor, her work and rest regimen, and addictions. We should not forget about the possible adverse reactions after the use of drugs. The age of the woman also plays an important role. The older she is, the higher the likelihood of pathology.

The above lists only the most common causes of a miscarriage that has not taken place. In fact, there are a great many of them. In each case, only a doctor can determine what caused the pregnancy to fade.

Signs of a missed pregnancy

Many women are concerned about the question of how to recognize a missed pregnancy at an early stage at home? The whole insidiousness of this condition lies in the fact that it is often asymptomatic. From the moment of death of the fetus to the actual miscarriage, several days, and sometimes weeks, may pass. What signs of a missed pregnancy in the early stages should I pay special attention to?

First of all, the symptoms that characterize pregnancy disappear in a woman: toxicosis, weakness, malaise. Nausea and vomiting, intolerance to certain odors disappear. However, if the signs were weak, you should not pay attention to this parameter.

A decrease in basal temperature is also a sign of fetal death. Such changes appear against the background of a decrease in the level of progesterone, since it is this hormone that is responsible for maintaining pregnancy. Basal temperature is recommended to be measured in the morning in the rectum. Before and immediately during measurements, it is necessary to be motionless for several hours. The basal temperature during a frozen pregnancy in the early stages usually decreases and does not exceed 37 degrees.

Softening of the breast may also indicate the fading of the fetus. From the moment the baby is conceived in women, the mammary glands almost immediately swell and become painful. After his death, the chest relaxes, but you should not immediately panic. According to many women, during the entire nine months of pregnancy, the breasts can tighten and relax several times. Doctors explain this fact by hormonal changes.

Pulling pain in the lower abdomen and spotting rarely signal this pathology. This is its main difference from an independent miscarriage. In any case, if there is a discharge or a feeling of discomfort, you should consult a gynecologist.

These signs do not always indicate the fading of the fetus. They can occur during normal pregnancy. If you have the above symptoms of a missed pregnancy in the early stages, it is recommended to seek help from a doctor to clarify the diagnosis.

Medical diagnostics

Only a specialist can confirm or refute the diagnosis of "missed pregnancy" after conducting an appropriate examination. The first step is an ultrasound examination. Using ultrasound, you can check the viability of the embryo and determine its approximate size. The doctor also measures the degree of increase in the uterus, the thickness of the chorion. If the results of the examination are doubtful, the specialist appoints a second visit after 12 days. It should be noted that the quality of the equipment plays an important role in obtaining reliable and most informative data. Sometimes older ultrasound machines can "not notice" the presence of a heartbeat in the fetus, which leads to an incorrect diagnosis.

Then the woman is prescribed a blood test for beta-hCG. With a frozen pregnancy in the early stages, a decrease in this indicator is observed, which indicates that a gradual increase in the content of this hormone in the blood is considered normal.

Treatment of a missed miscarriage

If a woman is suspected, they are hospitalized. If the pregnancy froze at an early stage, all the efforts of doctors should not be aimed at preserving the fetus, but at restoring the health of the woman.

After a complete examination (ultrasound, hCG), the evacuation of the fetal egg is prescribed. If the embryo is dead for no more than 14 days, doctors resort to expectant tactics. Another indication is the absence of signs of spontaneous abortion and infection of the uterus. The level of the hormone in the early stages gradually decreases. The uterus begins to contract and push out the fertilized egg.

However, most often doctors resort to surgical intervention. The fetal egg and its membranes are removed by scraping. For up to 7 weeks, a medical abortion is usually used. After surgery, a hysteroscopy is mandatory. In the postoperative period, women are prescribed antibacterial agents for the prevention of endometritis and chorionamnionitis.

Recovery period

After identifying the cause of the fading pregnancy and the course of treatment, the woman needs to restore her strength. This usually takes no more than six months. During this period, you should adhere to a healthy lifestyle and be sure to use contraceptives. Some women require psychological counseling. The specialist helps to overcome all fears regarding future pregnancy planning.

What tests to take after a failed miscarriage?

Before conceiving a child after a pregnancy fades, doctors recommend taking the following tests:

• vaginal smear for STDs;
• ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs;
• a blood test to assess progesterone and estrogen levels;
• histological examination of the biological material of the uterus.

If a missed pregnancy has been diagnosed several times already, both partners need to undergo genetic testing for compatibility. If the test results do not show serious violations, you can think about conception.

Prevention of missed pregnancy

To prevent the recurrence of such a situation, doctors recommend that certain preventive measures be observed even before the moment of conception. In the presence of infections that are transmitted directly sexually, it is necessary to undergo a course of treatment. If you did not have rubella or chickenpox as a child, you should get all vaccinations before conception. This is especially true for those women whose work is related to children.

Symptoms of a missed pregnancy in the early stages inspire fear in many of the fair sex. In order not to face the manifestations of this pathology, doctors recommend adhering to a healthy lifestyle and eating rationally. In addition, it is necessary to give up bad habits, devote more time to physical activity.

Summing up

Absolutely any woman can find out that the pregnancy froze at an early stage. This pathology does not always indicate pathological disorders in the functioning of the body, but it is still worth undergoing an examination. According to its results, the doctor can prescribe the necessary treatment and give useful recommendations.