How to make pregnancy freeze. A frozen pregnancy is confirmed: what measures to take. Autoimmune diseases and missed pregnancies

29.04.2019

Pregnancy does not always end with the birth of a healthy baby. In some cases, a woman experiences the most difficult psychological and physical trauma: it happens. Failed miscarriage or freezing of fetal development in utero - is it dangerous for a woman, can the fetus emerge on its own, and what procedures are carried out after the diagnosis is established?

Non-developing pregnancy is an arrest of the development of a zygote or embryo inside the body of the uterus. Depending on the classification of the missed miscarriage, the complex in the future also differs.

So, according to the results of the ultrasound study, on the basis of the submitted analysis of ACE proteins, doctors distinguish two types of frozen pregnancy:

anembryonia (type 1 and 2);
death of the embryo.

As practice shows, in 85% of cases, fetal development freezes before 10 weeks of gestation. Up to 6 weeks, the fertilized cell (zygote) is in the fertilized egg, which has already attached to the wall of the placenta in the uterus. If freezing occurs, then we are talking, most likely, about anembryony of the first or second type.

In the first type, the embryo is not visualized, the ovum is not more than 2.5 cm, and the size of the body of the uterus corresponds to the 6th week of pregnancy. With this type, the development of both the fetus and the ovum stops.

With the second type of anembryonia, the ovum develops, while the child no longer exists. The remains of the embryo are not visualized, and the size of the ovum corresponds to pregnancy (approximately 4.5 cm).

A frozen pregnancy can emerge on its own in case of anembryonia in the early stages of pregnancy (), and then only additional medication hormonal simulation is prescribed to contract the uterus. In the event of the death of the embryo, cleaning is always prescribed.

Doctors today are trying not to experiment with the appointment of a medication for a frozen pregnancy after 7 weeks, preferring to prescribe a curettage procedure.

Termination of pregnancy with pathology

Fetal freezing is considered polietiologic every tenth pregnancy if a woman is at risk (age 35+, infectious or hereditary diseases, abnormalities in the development of the uterus). In the case of a detected deviation in the development of the ovum or embryo by the echographic method, the doctor prescribes a blood donation for analysis of the hCG level and ACE protein concentration, as well as a second study, which is carried out a few days later.

With a frozen pregnancy at 3-4 weeks, about 15% of women note malaise, dizziness, drowsiness. The disappearance of nausea, vomiting is observed, which are characteristic signs of the death of the ovum. At a later date, the cessation of fetal movement means its death.

If all the studies carried out have shown the presence of problems (freezing, inconsistency with the timing of the ovum, lack of visualization of the embryo), then a decision is made on. The doctor will tell you how the dead fetus is removed.

Depending on the period of gestation, the methods of exposure will differ. So, in the early stages, it is advisable to prescribe a drug effect, and with complete or incomplete miscarriage later than 7 weeks, it is important to undergo the procedure of gynecological curettage, cleaning.

With the help of medicines

After stopping the development of pregnancy in the early stages, it is recommended to use the sparing option of evacuating the ovum from the body of the uterus using medication. The principle of the action of medications is similar to the stimulation of labor, in which cramping contractions of the uterus occur, everything that is inside is pushed out.

The procedure consists in swallowing one tablet under the supervision of a gynecologist at the Department of Pathology and Gynecology. The patient is under observation for 8-12 hours.

As practice shows, in the absence of professional treatment after a frozen pregnancy, there is a risk of the formation of an inflammatory process, endometritis, as a result - infertility and miscarriage in the future.

Surgical curettage

Surgical curettage is prescribed for women who are diagnosed with a frozen pregnancy after 9 weeks of gestation. There is an old practice in which it was not recommended to carry out curettage for periods up to 12 weeks. However, against the background of tissue remnants in the uterine cavity, there is a risk of developing an inflammatory process.

Depending on the duration of pregnancy, curettage, removal or cleaning of the body of the uterus is prescribed.

Removal of frozen fetus

With a frozen, failed pregnancy for up to 16 weeks, the fetus is evacuated simultaneously with instrumental evacuation. The doctor invites an anesthesiologist who injects the patient with general pain relievers.

After the action of anesthetic medications, the gynecologist opens the woman's cervix (dilatation of the cervical canal) and performs vacuum aspiration or full abortion.

In all variants of surgical intervention, hysteroscopic control is required, in which doctors assess the location of the fetus, the state of the endometrium of the uterus.

Scraping

Is a full-fledged process of abortion (extraction) of the fetus and the place of the ovum from the body of the uterus. This technique is used in cases where the gestation period is more than 10 weeks, and the fetus is already sufficiently formed. The procedure is also performed under the influence of intravenous anesthetics or with a mask.

After mask anesthesia, women are more likely to experience headaches, increased blood pressure, so most doctors use the introduction of anesthetic into a vein using a catheter.

Cleaning

Cleaning is a procedure for removing the remnants of the fetus or fetal resorbed egg. It is prescribed in the case when the fetus has been partially aborted, and there are particles in the body of the uterus that still need to be removed.

After the operative extraction of the fetus from the body of the uterus, ice is applied to the woman's lower abdomen to enhance contractions. Therefore, a woman feels unpleasant aching for some time, which is eliminated with the help of antispasmodics intravenously or orally.

Miscarriage occurs in women of different age groups, while the reasons for a missed pregnancy in each of them can be radically different. This problem appears due to various factors: diseases, heredity, hormonal disruptions, and more.

Fortunately, only a few know firsthand what a frozen pregnancy is and what are the reasons leading to the death of the fetus. Although pathology is rare, the expectant mother should know what are the signs of this condition, so that in case of danger, she should consult a doctor in a timely manner to save the baby's life and, possibly, her own.

The causes of a missed early pregnancy are varied and often have a complex effect. It is impossible to unequivocally establish the factor that led to the death of the fetus. After removing the embryo from the uterine cavity, the doctor sends the material to, which in most cases is difficult due to maceration of the tissues of the dead fetus.

In the first trimester, there are two critical periods when various complications of pregnancy can occur: from 6 to 8 weeks and from 11 to 13. It is during these intervals that a woman should pay special attention to her health and, at the slightest violations and suspicions of problems, immediately see a doctor.

There are many reasons leading to a missed pregnancy at an early stage of intrauterine development:

genetic disorders;
chromosomal aberrations;
hormonal discorellation;
acute infectious processes in the maternal body;
chronic infection;
bad habits.

Let us consider in more detail each of the prerequisites that can lead to intrauterine death of a child.

Genetic developmental abnormalities

A special place in the etiology of a frozen pregnancy is occupied by structural disorders affecting the chromosome set of the fetus. Normally, a person has a haploid set of chromosomes, but when various genetic aberrations occur, the number of cells can change in the direction of decreasing or increasing, which leads to the appearance of congenital disorders in the child.

Possible deviations:

Trisomies (2n + 1). In the human karyotype, a change in the haploid set occurs, and it acquires an additional chromosome. This is the most common type of chromosomal aberration that leads to pregnancy fading. If intrauterine death does not occur, then the born child has multiple defects of physical and mental development. This includes chromosome 21 trisomy, X chromosome trisomy, Enwards syndrome (trisomy 18), and Patau syndrome (pair 13 disorder).
Monosomy (2n-1). When such a change in karyotype occurs, intrauterine death occurs in 98% of cases, and only 2% of children are born, however, they have serious disorders (Shereshevsky-Turner syndrome or CO monosomy).
Triploid (3n) and tetraploid (4n) chromosome sets are rare. Even if the death of the fetus does not occur during the period of intrauterine development, then the born baby has a wide range of disorders that are incompatible with life.
Translocations. In addition to violations of the number of chromosomes, there are also karyotypes, in which the chromosomes change with each other in their parts. This pathology can be inherited by one of the parents. When interviewing, it often turns out that previously there have been cases of miscarriage in the family.

Hormonal Disorellations

This type of disorder ranks second among the causes of a missed pregnancy in the first trimester. In this case, the death of the embryo occurs due to the fact that the level does not reach the limit necessary for the maturation of the corpus luteum, and estrogens are produced in excess. Hormonal imbalance does not allow the embryo to receive the necessary nutrients, which causes the cessation of life.

Another cause of hormonal disorders is endocrine diseases, which a woman suffered from even before pregnancy.

Bad habits

Drug addiction during pregnancy leads to the fact that harmful substances that enter the female body have a toxic effect on the child. This can lead to developmental disorders, and in some cases to the fading of pregnancy.

Alcohol and drugs are especially dangerous in the first trimester, when the placental barrier has not yet been formed, and everything that enters the mother's body enters the uterine cavity with the blood stream, where the embryo is located.

Medicines

A pregnant woman is allowed a small list of medications that can be taken while carrying a child, since many medications have a teratogenic effect. Some drugs can cause minor disturbances in the fetus, while others can lead to serious abnormalities that are incompatible with life.

The following medications cause spontaneous abortion:

Mercaptoturin;
Colchicine;
Methotrexate.

Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine to see if it will harm your child.

Teratozoospermia

Another reason that can lead to miscarriage is teratozoospermia. This is a pathological condition of sperm cells when a large number of abnormal male germ cells are present in the ejaculate.

Most often this causes a partner, however, in some cases, conception occurs, but due to the fact that the sperm are pathological, the death of the embryo soon occurs.

External factors

The fetus can become frozen in early pregnancy for many reasons. Very often it is impossible to predict at all what caused his death.

Sometimes intrauterine development stops due to commonplace factors:

lifting weights;
climate change;
long flight by plane;
radioactive radiation;
prolonged exposure to the scorching sunlight.

Why can there be two frozen pregnancies in a row?

After a woman has already had a single pregnancy fading, the biggest fear in her life is the subsequent conception, during which intrauterine fetal death has occurred. Those who have experienced such a shock often do not know how to live on, and whether they will be able to get pregnant again and give birth to a healthy child.

Doctors say that if a woman promptly sought medical help in case of fetal death, and she was prescribed appropriate treatment, then she is highly likely to become a mother.

A repetition of the sad experience is possible in situations where a woman does not quite adequately relate to sexuality and motherhood, if the subsequent pregnancy happened spontaneously, and the appropriate treatment after the first case of intrauterine fetal death was not carried out. Doctors advise to refrain from conceiving for 6-12 months in order for the body to recover from the loss of a child and prepare for the adoption of a new life.

2 missed pregnancies in a row sometimes happen, however, this is not a regularity, because the reasons for repeating the sad experience may be as follows:

uncontrolled sex life during the year after pregnancy fading;
identified genetic disorders that require consultation with a geneticist at the family planning stage;
an infectious disease that has not been completely cured (this is especially true for sexually transmitted infections when treatment of both partners is required);
hormonal disorders that have not been treated.

If a woman is serious about her health and is determined to become a mother, then she will listen to all the advice of the attending physician and follow his recommendations, which will reduce the likelihood of repeated pregnancy fading.

How to avoid another frozen pregnancy?

Unfortunately, there are no specific prophylaxis methods against a frozen pregnancy, because its causes in the early stages cannot be predicted. Very often, fetal development is stopped due to defects in the neural tube.

For this reason, all women during the planning period and from the first days after conception are recommended to take in prophylactic doses of 0.4 mg. If a woman has previously experienced a fading of pregnancy, as well as a violation of the formation of the neural tube in the fetus, then the dosage of vitamin B 9 is advised to be increased to 4 mg.

To avoid the effects of the causes that cause a frozen pregnancy at 6-12 weeks, you should adhere to a certain tactic of monitoring the condition of the expectant mother when re-conceiving:

Carrying out using, determination of whey protein markers, etc.
If there is a family history of congenital malformations, invasive antenatal detection of chromosomal aberrations and other genetic abnormalities is recommended.
Amniocentesis according to indications.

Prevention of infection and timely elimination of signs of infection. For this purpose, doctors prescribe anti-inflammatory therapy and the use of immunomodulators.
Suppression of the autoimmune response. For this, drip parenteral administration of γ-immunoglobulins every other day, 0.025 liters, is recommended.
Elimination of hemodynamic disorders. Reception of direct-acting anticoagulant drugs and antiplatelet agents.

Such measures play a large role in preventing the freezing of subsequent pregnancies and increase the likelihood of acquiring a new status: a happy mom.

The reasons for a frozen pregnancy in the early stages may be different. Unfortunately, in most situations it is impossible to predict when this will happen. No woman is immune from the loss of a child. However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, a responsible approach to planning conception, timely detection and subsequent treatment of various diseases reduce the risk of miscarriage.

Useful video about the causes of a frozen pregnancy in the early stages

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The fetus froze - this is perhaps one of the most terrible words from a doctor for a couple dreaming of children. You can hear them for various reasons at the very beginning of the development of a new life (the most dangerous are considered from 3 to 4, from 8 to 11 and from 16 to 18 weeks from conception). Sometimes the diagnosis is made at a later date, but the likelihood of hearing it is significantly lower. An analogue is the development of an empty ovum: in this case, fertilization has occurred, but the embryo does not develop. Pathology occurs spontaneously, maybe several times in a row throughout a woman's life. Unfortunately, no one is immune from her. Nevertheless, it is better to know the causes and signs of a frozen pregnancy in the early stages in order to take timely measures and consult a doctor, as well as prevent the development of pathology before conception. Anything can influence the development of a small life. And the worst thing is that it is not so easy to notice the changes.

Read in this article

Reasons why pregnancy does not develop

Why is there a frozen pregnancy in the early stages? This question worries and scares young mothers. There are actually quite a few reasons:

Genetic abnormalities are in the lead. They are diagnosed in 70% of cases for up to 8 weeks. They are associated with many factors, including hereditary diseases, as well as the result of taking drugs by one of the partners. That is why it is important not to give up screenings and other examinations suggested by a geneticist and gynecologist.

Excessive use can also provoke a developmental arrest. It is especially dangerous if the mother cannot give up bad habits after conception.
Medicines are also capable of provoking the development of abnormalities. That is why the doctors themselves strongly recommend giving up any medication. An exception can only be serious diseases, the treatment of which with folk remedies is simply impossible. It is worth noting that for up to 10 days and after 8-10 weeks, when the fetus becomes partially protected by the placenta, the effect of the drugs is not so significant. As for herbs, they also need to be taken only under the supervision of a doctor, because some of them can provoke a breakdown or stop in the development of the embryo.
The causes of a frozen pregnancy in the early stages may lie in the mother and child. If a woman has had abortions before, then the chances of a happy development are not so great. Antibodies produced by the mother's body towards the baby build up over time. And after several abortions, it is very difficult for a conceived baby to resist such an attack.
Infections of both genital organs and viral (, influenza) are a serious threat at the very beginning of the birth of life. The mother's body is already weakened by the new position, so it is not at all difficult to get sick. But the consequences of a high temperature, a viral attack can be very serious. Rubella is a formidable enemy, in the event of which pregnancy not only freezes, the fetus may develop severe anomalies. And already in this case, the mother will have to decide whether she can raise a special child or whether it is better to terminate the pregnancy.

The consequences of congenital rubella for a child

Hormonal Disorders. Moreover, a non-developing pregnancy in the early stages, the reasons for which lie precisely in this factor, can freeze both due to a lack of prolactin and an excess of testosterone. If a woman has regular menstrual irregularities, then it is imperative to be examined during planning, and also to regularly check the state of the hormone after conception.
Harmful factors at work, diabetes mellitus, weight lifting, stress - all these factors can also cause the development of pathology.

Women who have a higher risk of developing pathology

But this is not the only answer to the question of why pregnancy freezes at an early stage. Doctors identify a certain risk group, which includes:

old-born or expectant mothers over the age of 35;
if you have multiple abortions in the past;
if during a previous pregnancy were ectopic;
in the presence of a congenital anomaly of the uterus.

If one or all of the factors are present, the woman will be under constant medical supervision.

The risk group also includes expectant mothers who do not want to visit a gynecologist in the early stages. There may be many reasons for such a decision, but the result will be a serious threat to the health of not only the woman, but also the child.

What signs will indicate a frozen pregnancy

The saddest thing is that the symptoms of a frozen pregnancy in the early stages are not pronounced. Therefore, the expectant mother may not even suspect about the change in the state of the fetus. Only a qualified doctor, after examination and appointment of an additional examination, can state the absence of embryo development.

You should not look for symptoms of a missed pregnancy in your early stages, and even more so, ask your friends for advice or on the forums. In each case, everything is purely individual and depends on many factors.

Symptoms of an impending disaster

At a later date, it is easier for a woman to navigate, because she already feels the movement of the child. In the early days, this is very problematic. A frozen pregnancy, the signs in the first trimester of which may be similar to less serious abnormalities, manifests itself as follows:

passes;
no more ;
lowered;
cramping pains began to appear;
smearing appeared (discharge during a frozen pregnancy in the early stages has exactly the same consistency and red-brown color);
the overall body temperature has increased.

If any of the listed symptoms are detected, a woman needs to urgently consult a doctor! If the signs of pregnancy have disappeared, then this should also alert mommy and become a reason to visit a specialist!

What does a pregnant woman feel with the development of pathology

Feelings of a frozen pregnancy in women are very different. They are even influenced by the fact whether this happened for the first time or a similar situation happened before. Fatigue, apathy, fever - all this, in any case, should alert the expectant mother.

It is worth noting that all symptoms that indicate the development of pathology may turn out to be false! There is no need to immediately set yourself up for the approach of disaster. Quite often, they turn out to be similar to less serious ones, or the body is simply undergoing a readjustment.

Diagnostics of the fact of fetal freezing

Only a doctor knows exactly how to recognize a frozen pregnancy at an early stage. To do this, he will do the following:

, will assess the state of the secreted mucus, ask to measure the basal temperature.
If there is a suspicion of a deviation from the norm, the doctor will send the pregnant woman to hand over. However, it is worth noting that hCG with a frozen pregnancy in the early stages can be completely within the normal range for several weeks after the death of the fetus. And yet, more often, urinalysis will show an underestimated level of the hormone, uncharacteristic for the first trimester.
The last stage of the examinations will be an ultrasound scan. With the help of an ultrasound examination, it will become clear whether the heart is beating in the embryo or not.

Tellingly, a test with a frozen pregnancy in the early stages may show all the same two stripes. This is again related to the level of hCG in the urine.

After the specialist makes sure of the diagnosis, he will choose the necessary set of procedures for the mother, and also help her in the future to prepare for a new pregnancy.

What do doctors do if the fetus is frozen

Depending on how a frozen pregnancy manifests itself in the early stages, as well as directly on the number of days from the moment of conception, the doctor will choose the most alternative method of treatment. Indeed, when establishing such a diagnosis, it is already a question of preserving the life and health of the mother. There are two main methods of treatment:

With the help of drugs that provoke. It is used for up to 8 weeks.
(vacuum aspiration). Under anesthesia, a woman is cleansed of the uterine cavity using a vacuum suction.

In any case, professional help will be required, since in order to avoid adverse consequences, it is necessary to clean the uterine cavity (the remnants of the amniotic egg, which will be indicated by an ultrasound scan).

There is a third option, in which even the woman herself does not have time to realize that she was pregnant. This is a spontaneous abortion. If the fetus froze almost from the first days of life, then the body can reject it like a foreign body. In this case, a woman will simply notice a delay in menstruation. Sometimes doctors prefer to observe the patient's condition, waiting for a spontaneous abortion, so as not to interfere with the body once again.

Why is it so scary not to see a doctor in time?

Sometimes a woman does not fully realize how severe the consequences of a frozen pregnancy at an early stage can be for her. But the organism does not always reject the fetus itself. If the embryo, which has stopped developing, is in the womb for a long time, then it is quite likely that intoxication will develop. In this case, not only the temperature rises, the woman begins to suffer from acute pains and weakness, it is quite possible to delay the time until the blood becomes infected with the elements of fetal decay.

If the gestation period is more than 6 weeks, then in this case the woman has every chance of earning desseminated intravascular coagulation (disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome). The danger is that the blood loses its ability to clot. As a result, the woman may die from bleeding.

How to prevent fetal freezing during pregnancy

A couple, regardless of whether they are preparing to become parents for the first time or have children, must be examined. It is he who will be able to reduce the risks and give an answer on how to avoid a frozen pregnancy in the early stages in their case. The doctor will offer to pass several tests: hormones, genetic tests, ultrasound of the pelvic organs, blood for infections and other additional tests that will be prescribed taking into account the parents' anamnesis. It is also recommended to refrain from conceiving for up to six months after diseases such as ARVI, flu, chickenpox.

If a woman works in a children's team, then she will be asked to get preventive vaccinations. Additional hormones will need to be adjusted. A visit to a geneticist should not be ignored. A healthy lifestyle will only increase your chances of becoming a parent. In the first months, it is recommended to refrain from flights, abrupt climate change and prolonged exposure to the sun.

If the previous pregnancy ended in stopping the development of the embryo - do not give up! With the right planning, the chance of having a normal delivery and childbirth is 80% -90%. And how to prevent a frozen pregnancy at an early stage will be advised by a gynecologist who is managing a couple.

Pregnancy after stopping fetal development

Doctors predict good chances of conception only on the condition that the couple does not ignore visits to specialized specialists, undergo a course of treatment, and also refuses to think about the child for the next six months after an unsuccessful experience. On average, such a period is necessary not only for a detailed examination and finding out the cause of the pregnancy fading, but also for the physical recovery of the mother's body.

Sadly, but with 100% certainty, it is quite rare to say exactly about the reasons for stopping pregnancy. However, parents do not need to despair! Try to avoid stress, harmful factors, and do not forget to get tested - and may you succeed, and the baby will be born healthy and happy!

A woman of any age can face a problem called a frozen 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 gestation will help prevent fading.

This pathology is not so common. However, it is not so rare as to think that it can never touch you. The probability of a frozen pregnancy in comparison with 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 frozen 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 embryonic freezing process can occur at any stage of pregnancy, but most often it occurs in the first trimester. Freezing of the fetus causes inflammation of the female body and complications of various kinds.

The main danger of a frozen 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. This 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, you have to resort to medical procedures.

Statistics show that missed pregnancies occur 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 in the likelihood of pathology are observed at 3-4, 9-11 and 16-18 weeks. The likelihood of fetal death at a later date is significantly lower. Nevertheless, a pregnancy frozen at 9 months is not an incredible event and, unfortunately, does occur.

What factors cause a missed pregnancy?

The main reasons for 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
Previously performed abortions
Hormonal imbalance
Lack of nutritional balance
Eating unhealthy foods
Drug abuse
Stress
Genetic predisposition
Harmful working conditions
IVF or artificial insemination

This kind of pathology can be provoked by the presence of acute infectious diseases and bad habits. The disturbed hormonal background of the expectant mother is capable of disrupting the genetic background of the embryo. This is facilitated by the use of alcoholic beverages, drugs and smoking. Among the infectious diseases that contribute to the appearance of a frozen pregnancy, there may be such common household infections as influenza, acute respiratory infections, rubella. Toxoplasmosis and sexually transmitted diseases are also dangerous: 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 abnormality accompanies the freezing of the embryo in the early stages. This is due to a genetic disorder that renders the fetus unviable. With the absolute health of both partners, the repetition of this phenomenon is excluded. However, subsequent fetal freezing events indicate a serious genetic disorder.

With freezing 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 Rh-conflict. It occurs when the fetus has a positive Rh factor in the blood, while the mother has a negative one. As a result, the mother's body produces antibodies, which causes oxygen starvation of the fetus.

A blood clotting disorder in the mother's body can also lead to the fading of pregnancy. 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, pregnancy fading occurs somewhat more often than with natural fertilization. In women giving birth after 35 years of age, pathology is also more common than in young women.

Prophylaxis

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 the level of stress and physical activity, especially lifting weights, and eat properly and balanced. Loose clothing should be worn that does not compress the lower abdomen.

Symptoms

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

First of all, fading can manifest itself in the form of severe pain in the lower abdomen. Painful sensations can be pulling or cramping. They are caused by contractions of the uterus. There is also a bloody vaginal discharge, rather than clear or milky, which is normal. This suggests that there has been a detachment of the ovum. Discharge containing pus may indicate that the pregnancy has been frozen for a long time, and the fetus is currently decomposing. In the second trimester, with a frozen pregnancy, the main symptom is the lack of movement of the embryo. In this case, further growth of the abdomen is observed. In this case, the development of the intrauterine membrane with a dead embryo takes place.

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 paid to toxicosis, or rather, to its absence. Toxicosis in one form or another is observed in most pregnant women. If you notice a sharp disappearance of 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 the woman constantly measures the basal temperature.

However, the signs of a frozen 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 beginning of the process of decomposition of the fetus.

What to do if symptoms are found?

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

If the temperature rises sharply, consult a doctor immediately! This may indicate an advanced stage of the pathology. Delay in this case is fraught with sepsis and death!

Fading pregnancy can be diagnosed using ultrasound and laboratory blood tests. An examination by a gynecologist is also important, which can show if the size of the uterus has changed. An ultrasound can determine if there is a fetal heartbeat, as well as 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 completely absent.

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 happens on its own due to a decrease in hormone levels. If there is a possibility that a miscarriage will occur in a few days by itself, then it is preferable to wait for it, rather than use medications.
Medical miscarriage. The method is used if the pregnancy lasts no more than 8 weeks.
Surgical removal of the fetus. 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, contraceptive drugs, vitamin complexes, antibiotics, and drugs that increase immunity can be prescribed. These measures serve to prevent the disease. Repeated repetition of such a situation indicates the need for an examination.

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

Fetal freezing can occur in a woman at any age. This pathology means the death of the fetus and develops with a confluence of several factors.

Before planning pregnancy, every woman should know the possible risks, as well as be able to recognize the signs of any pathology and consult a doctor in a timely manner.

A frozen pregnancy is quite rare; among doctors, this condition is called a failed miscarriage, since the death of the embryo passes without obvious signs of termination of pregnancy. The fetus can die at any time, regardless of the woman's age, although most often the pathology develops among women in labor over 40 years old. Fading pregnancy in most cases occurs for up to 13 weeks, the causes of pathology are a wide variety of factors: chronic diseases, infections, genetic disorders, etc. However, the fetus can die without obvious reasons, but in any case, fetal fading poses a threat to the woman's health, in particular, it can lead to infertility.

Causes of fetal freezing

Fading of the fetus is provoked by many factors, while a combination of several circumstances is often observed. It is not always possible to establish the exact cause of such a pathology, since after the death of the fetus, tissue necrosis occurs, which makes the study quite difficult.

Among the causes of fetal death are hormonal disruptions, chromosomal abnormalities, infections, etc. The most common cause of pregnancy fading is alcohol and cigarettes. Herpes, chlamydia, toxoplasmosis, etc. can also lead to fetal death, so doctors recommend that you undergo an examination and cure all existing diseases before planning pregnancy.

The reasons why the fetus stops developing and dies are not well understood, but experts identify several main factors:

hormonal imbalance can lead to a deficiency of progesterone, due to which the fetus does not receive the necessary nutrients, which ultimately will provoke a developmental arrest and death of the fetus. Usually, this cause provokes freezing in the first trimester. In addition, thyroid disease, polycystic disease and other disorders of ovarian function can become the cause of fading.
an immunological factor that has recently been considered more and more often. The female body perceives the ovum as a foreign body, since it contains about half of the genetic information of the future father, in this regard, the body begins to produce antibodies that prevent the development of the fetus. In other words, the woman's immune system kills the embryo.
autoimmune disorders associated with a large number of antibodies to plasma phospholipids - antiphospholipid syndrome. This pathology leads to fetal freezing in almost 5% of cases. The risk of freezing during re-pregnancy increases to 42%. The cause of antiphospholipid syndrome is mainly heredity, this pathology leads to the formation of blood clots and with the course of pregnancy the risk of complications may increase, in addition, antiphospholipid syndrome can affect childbirth and the postpartum period.
infectious diseases, both chronic and acute. The most common diseases that can lead to fading are herpes, mycoplasmosis, chlamydia, etc., which can be present even before pregnancy, but with a decrease in immunity, the disease begins to manifest itself more aggressively.

Cytomegalovirus can provoke the freezing of pregnancy in the first trimester, if infection occurs at a later date, this can lead to serious developmental defects. Syphilis, gonorrhea also pose a danger to the health and life of the child.

chromosomal abnormalities. During the development of the embryo, various developmental disorders may occur, for example, zygote pathology, abnormal development of the placenta.
stress, drug abuse, especially antidepressants.
bad habits (drugs, alcohol, cigarettes)
external influences (air travel, gravity, radiation, excessive sun exposure)
reasons of unknown nature. The fading of pregnancy has not yet been sufficiently studied and in some cases it is impossible to determine why the termination of fetal development has occurred.

Why does fetal freeze occur?

It is rather difficult to highlight the main reasons why the fetus freezes, since several factors can simultaneously lead to this pathology. For example, hormonal disruptions and chromosomal changes in the embryo or infection.

Also, the use of drugs, alcohol, smoking during pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases can cause intrauterine fetal death.

How to provoke fetal freezing?

In some cases, fetal freezing can be provoked by the woman herself. Smoking, drinking alcohol, drugs, drug abuse can lead to the fact that the development of the embryo stops. In addition, frequent nervous tension or stress, coffee, a sedentary lifestyle disrupt the normal development of the fetus, lead to an insufficient supply of oxygen and nutrients to it.

Signs of fetal freezing

Freezing of the fetus has several symptoms that a woman can determine on her own. Most often, fading occurs in the first trimester, often this pathology is detected on a routine examination or ultrasound. In this case, freezing can be detected several weeks later than the death of the embryo.

In the early stages, an abrupt cessation of toxicosis, a decrease in basal temperature, and breast tenderness can indicate the death of the embryo.

In some cases, these signs are ignored or perceived as a natural manifestation of pregnancy.

At a later date, it is possible to determine that the death of the fetus has occurred because the child has stopped moving, also severe pain in the abdomen or open bleeding may indicate a pathology.

The first signs of fetal freezing

It is rather difficult to determine fetal freezing in the early stages on your own, since in each case the pregnancy proceeds individually. For example, some women do not have toxicosis or other manifestations of pregnancy (dizziness, weakness, craving for salt, etc.). In the first trimester, the abrupt cessation of signs of pregnancy (provided that they were) can indicate the death of the embryo. If a woman initially felt well, then fading can be detected when visiting a doctor or on an ultrasound scan.

At a later date, pathology may be indicated by the fact that the child stops moving. In most cases, when the fetus dies, the woman begins a spontaneous miscarriage. But in some cases, a woman can walk with an already dead fetus inside her for several days or even weeks. The fact that the fetus is dead and the decomposition process has begun may be indicated by pulling or severe abdominal pain, bloody discharge.

Freezing of the fetus at 8 weeks

The eighth week of pregnancy is a fairly early period, at which the umbilical cord and placenta have not yet formed, the main purpose of which is to protect the fetus from the effects of external negative factors. At this time, the embryo is extremely vulnerable, and an infection or hormonal disorder can provoke malformations that are incompatible with life. Freezing of the fetus at such an early date is quite common and in most cases ends in spontaneous miscarriage.

Freezing of the fetus at 16 weeks

Freezing of the fetus most often occurs for up to 13 weeks, however, it happens that the fetus dies in the second trimester. At 16 weeks of gestation, the risk of pregnancy fading is extremely high and several factors can contribute to this.

Intrauterine fetal death can occur due to infection, chromosomal developmental disorders, conflict between the Rh factors of the child and the mother, abortions in the past.

To detect the fading of pregnancy at 16 weeks, observation of the growth of the uterus and ultrasound examinations allow. Not always signs of a frozen pregnancy (movement of the child, pain in the lower abdomen, spotting, etc.) indicate the death of the fetus, only a specialist and ultrasound can confirm this diagnosis.

After confirming the death of the fetus in the womb, the doctor prescribes an emergency operation (cleaning) to remove the fetus from the uterus, otherwise it can lead to inflammation, infection, and severe bleeding.

After cleaning, the woman is observed for several days and a complete examination is carried out to establish the causes of fetal freezing.

After the pregnancy fades, it is advisable to plan the next one in at least six months.

Freezing of one fetus with twins

In twin pregnancies, the death of one of the embryos occurs once in every thousand pregnancies. Freezing of the fetus can occur for various reasons, often one fetus dies due to developmental abnormalities, poor circulation, abnormalities in the development of the placenta, umbilical cord. Also, the death of one of the embryos with twins can be facilitated by a mechanical factor, for example, an acute lack of oxygen in a single placenta and one fetal sac.

The death of one of the embryos leads to serious health problems for the second, as well as death. According to statistics, in the event of the death of one of the embryos in the first trimester, the probability of normal development and the birth of the second reaches 90%. If one fetus stops developing for up to three weeks, then there is a complete resorption of the embryo or softening and drying ("paper fruit").

If the death of one fetus with twins occurred at a later date, then the second may develop severe damage to the central nervous system, internal organs, or death.

If one of the embryos dies, the woman may not feel any symptoms. Usually, pathology is detected on ultrasound (absence of heartbeat, movement). One dead fetus with twins in the second and third trimester can lead to large blood loss in a living child. Through the connecting vessels, blood from a living fetus flows to a dead one, and since the heart does not work, a dead organism is able to absorb quite a lot of blood. Due to large blood loss in a living fetus, severe anemia may begin, which will lead to damage to the central nervous system and oxygen starvation.

The doctor's actions directly depend on the period at which the death of one of the child occurred. In the last months of pregnancy, the doctor may decide on an emergency delivery, despite the fact that the live fetus is not ready for birth. In this case, for a living child, premature birth is less dangerous than further stay with a dead body, and the less time passes from the death of the fetus to artificial delivery, the better for the second child. With the timely detection of a frozen pregnancy, the probability of a successful outcome for a living child is about 55%.

For the treatment of pathology in the second trimester, the termination of any interconnection between the two organisms and blood transfusion to a living fetus are used if there is no possibility of delivery.

In the third trimester, only artificial childbirth is used, since a dead organism poses a strong threat not only to a living child, but also to the mother, since coagulation disorders (blood clotting) are possible.

How to determine fetal freezing?

Freezing of the fetus can occur without pronounced symptoms. The detection of pathology occurs after visiting a doctor. If there is a suspicion of pregnancy fading (the uterus is insufficient in size, there is no movement of the child), then an ultrasound examination is always prescribed for a more accurate diagnosis.

You can also determine fetal freezing by analyzing urine and blood, which show abnormalities.

Freezing of the fetus in the early stages

Often, fetal fading in the first weeks of pregnancy is difficult for a woman to identify herself, since often the symptoms are latent in nature.

In most cases, the fading of pregnancy in the first trimester is accompanied by the disappearance of toxicosis, rapid fatigue, a decrease in basal temperature, cessation of swelling and soreness of the mammary glands.

In most cases, these signs are ignored or refer to a woman's new condition. It is possible to reveal the fading of pregnancy after some examinations.

The doctor prescribes an analysis for hCG, if the level of this hormone has dropped sharply or ceases to increase, then the pregnancy will fade.

In some cases, ultrasound can show that there is no embryo in the ovum.

Fetal freezing in the second trimester

Fetal freezing occurs most often in the first weeks of pregnancy. The death of an embryo before 18 weeks usually occurs due to various genetic disorders, and it is impossible to maintain such a pregnancy. Less often there is a fading of pregnancy in the second trimester, as a rule, the reason for this is the transferred flu, exacerbation of an infectious disease, hormonal disorders, etc. Only a specialist can establish the cause of the fading of pregnancy after an additional examination. In some cases, the cause of the fading remains unclear.

In the second trimester, the main sign of abnormal pregnancy is the lack of fetal movement. At about 18-20 weeks (for those who give birth again earlier), the fetus begins to move, if a woman notes that the child does not move for more than a day, then this is a good reason for an urgent visit to a doctor.

On examination, the doctor will determine the size of the abdomen, ultrasound will listen to the fetal heartbeat, and placental abruption can also be diagnosed. In addition, pain or bleeding may indicate an abnormal pregnancy.

Fading of pregnancy in the second trimester occurs quite rarely, the main cause of the pathology is severe maternal diseases or genetic disorders. Also, intrauterine fetal death can occur as a result of trauma.

Freezing of the fetus at a later date

Fading of the fetus at a later date can be determined by more pronounced signs. The main symptom of pathology is the absence of movement.

In addition, there are a number of signs that may indicate the fading of pregnancy:

the breast becomes softer, not swollen
severe weakness
appetite changes (if it was absent before, then it appears and vice versa)

The main examination of a woman is to undergo an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs, smears to detect diseases, urine, blood tests, an analysis for infections, a study of the thyroid gland, tests for hormone levels.

Also, additional research methods are possible, which a doctor can prescribe based on the woman's medical history and the individual characteristics of the body.

Freezing of the fetus is not a sentence for a couple dreaming of having a baby. In the early stages, the death of the embryo most often occurs due to a developmental abnormality incompatible with life. In case of repeated pregnancy, the likelihood of freezing is practically excluded. Observance of a healthy lifestyle by future parents, following the doctor's recommendations, a full examination before planning pregnancy and treatment of all existing diseases will prevent the development of this pathology.