Having seen two stripes for the first time on the test, every woman already mentally holds her baby in her arms and dreams of how he will grow up. During pregnancy, she will undergo many examinations, but sometimes the diagnosis can bring not at all joyful facts. In some cases, a miscarriage is diagnosed; an ultrasound error is, of course, possible, because a woman is diagnosed using technology, and it, like any mechanism, is prone to malfunction. The error rate is quite low, so every future mom must be prepared to hear a negative diagnosis.
Pregnancy involves the full growth and development of the child in the uterus for 41 weeks. A frozen pregnancy means the cessation of fetal development in the womb for up to 28 weeks.. A frozen pregnancy is shown on ultrasound at 13 weeks. During the freezing period, characteristic symptoms may appear:
- spotting;
- paroxysmal abdominal pain;
- cessation of toxicosis;
- reduction of breast tenderness;
- lack of movement of the child.
It should be noted that while waiting for a miracle, most women do not pay attention to these symptoms, so the next ultrasound examination may shock them.
Signs of a frozen pregnancy early stages- this is a secondary symptom, much more attention is paid to diagnostic techniques examinations:
- hCG analysis;
- examination by a gynecologist.
Each of these diagnostic methods can determine the cessation of fetal development - the hCG level will be significantly lower, an ultrasound will show the absence of the child’s development and heartbeat, and the gynecologist can diagnose that the uterus is smaller in size than it should be at this stage of pregnancy.
Causes of frozen pregnancy
Certain reasons can lead to such a disastrous development of events, among which are:
- Rhesus conflict;
- pathologies that develop in the fetus are incompatible with life;
- due to frequent abortions that were previously carried out in the woman’s body, certain antibodies are developed, which simply do not give subsequent fetuses in the womb a chance to survive;
- kidney and cardiovascular diseases;
- injuries;
- infectious diseases;
- great physical activity;
- use of hormonal and toxic drugs during pregnancy;
- chemical poisoning
Very often, pregnancy failure occurs due to an actively developing bacterial infection that is sexually transmitted, for example, ureaplasma, chlamydia and ganderella. Bacteria do not allow the embryo to fully develop, and the mother’s weakened body cannot fully resist the source of infection, so the embryo suffers.
Alcohol inhibits the development of the baby, and directly negatively affects the development of his brain and nervous system. Even a seemingly small amount of alcohol can be lethal to your baby inside the womb. It should be noted that it is possible to prevent a frozen pregnancy; for this, the woman must undergo a full diagnostic examination at the stage of planning a child and eliminate all existing bacterial and viral infections. Be sure to stop using medications and also stop bad habits and limit physical activity. By taking care of your condition and regularly visiting your doctor, you will always be aware of the slightest changes in your body.
Ultrasound diagnostics is an affordable and simple procedure that provides accurate information to the doctor about the condition internal organs person and how in this case, about the state of the embryo in the womb. It is carried out quite quickly and painlessly. The woman should lie on the couch, her stomach is lubricated with a special gel, which improves the contagiousness of the sensor with the patient’s skin. Further, with the movements of the sensor, the doctor will receive an image of the patient’s internal organs. There is also another method called transvaginal. The woman must lie on a couch with her legs bent and the doctor inserts a special probe into her vagina. This method is usually used on early stages pregnancy, when viewing through the stomach becomes more difficult.
Can ultrasound be wrong?
“Frozen pregnancy is an ultrasound error” - this is what women desperately want to hear from a doctor. But this happens quite rarely and you have to put up with the situation. Whether an ultrasound can make a mistake is quite difficult to say for sure, because each case is unique in its own way. The only thing we can say with certainty is that ultrasound diagnostics is the most reliable research method and based on its results, surgical procedures have been successfully carried out for many decades. That is why it is problematic to say that she may be wrong.
It is difficult to determine a frozen pregnancy in the first trimester, because it begins in the same way as a normal one, unlike ectopic development.
Determining a frozen fetus is a very important procedure and the point here is no longer a matter of a dead embryo. It will not be possible to restore pregnancy, but the point is in the embryo itself, which is in the mother’s womb. Its decomposition products can cause serious harm to a woman’s body, including death and the inability to have children in the future. It is for this reason that doctors take the timely determination of a frozen fetus so seriously; this makes mistakes quite likely, because the human factor is present everywhere.
The baby’s heartbeat can already be heard at the 5th week of pregnancy; even if outdated equipment is used, the heartbeat will be detected. Of course, there are a number of factors that can distort the diagnosis, for example, not emptying bladder, which increases in size and prevents the study from determining the contours of the fetus. The doctor may ask the patient to go to the toilet or use a transvaginal probe. The fetus begins to move at 7-8 weeks, and the doctor also sees this on the monitor. At this time, the doctor can already determine the viability of the child, as well as its size.
An ultrasound error can occur if the equipment is outdated and the doctor is incompetent. Due to a lack of funding, most clinics use old equipment, which cannot listen to the heartbeat at 12 weeks, and the poor image obtained during the examination will only indirectly determine the size of the fetus. If this occurs, then it is likely that the doctor will prescribe a repeat ultrasound examination after 14 days. If even during the subsequent examination the heartbeat cannot be heard, then the doctor can determine a frozen pregnancy, because every day the child’s body strengthens and the main sign of vitality becomes more and more distinct.
There is also a condition called anembryonia, which is characterized by the complete absence of a fetus. An ultrasound examination will reveal that the amniotic sac is empty; this occurs at 4-5 weeks. After a woman determines pregnancy by level HCG test, the fetus develops up to a certain point, and then dies and the body independently copes with its removal, in contrast to later stages, when surgical cleaning is necessary. Of course, a woman can also seek advice from another clinic in order to refute the information received or, to her regret, confirm it.
Much more common is a situation in which a woman feels negative symptoms, and ultrasound diagnostics indicate a threat of miscarriage. In this case, medications and bed rest can preserve pregnancy.
What to do if you have a frozen pregnancy?
Having heard a diagnosis from a doctor, women do not want to believe in such information until the last moment, because they were so looking forward to the birth of a son or daughter, but still it is necessary to accept it, psychologically coming to terms with the loss of a baby, without yet holding him in your arms, is very difficult, but all the complexity that's not the point. The woman will still have to undergo a course of specialized treatment. As a rule, the patient is sent for additional examinations to a gynecologist, who decides the advisability of surgical cleansing. It is prescribed as quickly as possible, because there is a possibility of developing inflammation in the uterus, bleeding and other unpleasant complications.
Curettage involves the complete removal of the dead embryo from the uterine cavity and its particles. The procedure lasts no more than an hour and is performed under general anesthesia. Sometimes, vacuum aspiration is used for complete cleaning. Some women confuse cleansing with abortion. There is no point in blaming yourself for anything, although the methods of these two procedures are similar: they eliminate an already dead body in order to preserve your full health, and during an abortion, the viability of the fetus is initially destroyed, and then the embryo itself is eliminated.
After removing the fetus, the doctor sends it for histological examination, this helps doctors understand why exactly the fetus died and makes it possible to prevent this situation in the future.
The woman recovers over several weeks, although if the procedure goes without complications, she is sent home the next day. The doctor prescribes antibacterial drugs to prevent inflammatory processes in the uterus. Upon returning home, bed rest is indicated for several days. There may be minor bleeding and abdominal pain, this is considered normal and can be relieved with painkillers.
A woman should abstain for two weeks intimacy, but if you want to resume sexual relations before, be sure to use barrier contraceptives. If you have a high fever for two weeks, bleeding does not stop, and the pain becomes more intense, consult a doctor immediately, it is likely that something was missed during the cleansing process, or something is developing bacterial infection inside the body.
Life after a frozen pregnancy
After a frozen pregnancy, 90% of women manage to become pregnant again and give birth to a healthy baby, but it is very important to plan the next conception no earlier than 2.5-3 months after cleansing or separation ovum. Many couples faced with a similar situation wonder whether they need additional examination or therapy, but this is a purely individual situation. In most cases, pregnancy failure in the first trimester occurs due to random errors in the development of the embryo; there is no fault of the mother or father, with the exception of drug addiction and alcoholism.
Even couples with excellent health can have a frozen pregnancy, so additional treatment is not prescribed after the first frozen pregnancy. Additional diagnostics are required if the situation occurs more than twice. The couple needs to undergo examinations for urogenital infections, sexually transmitted infections and consultation with a geneticist.
Now you know how to recognize a frozen pregnancy; in addition, you can create all the conditions for pregnancy in order to avoid this negative condition and give birth to a full-fledged and healthy child. Pregnancy is a very important stage in the life of every woman, and you need to carefully prepare for it by promptly eliminating diseases of the genitourinary system, also eating right, enriching your diet with vitamins and microelements.
A month before conception, a woman is recommended to start consuming folic acid, which promotes the normal development of the fetal neural tube and helps secure the fertilized egg in the womb. It is very difficult for a weakened body to provide appropriate conditions for normal development baby, which is why situations such as miscarriage and frozen pregnancy occur.
A gynecological examination with an ultrasound machine makes it possible to simplify the work of a specialist and determine the development, presence of anomalies and pathological changes fetus, determine in advance the sex of the child. In the presence of positive properties Ultrasonic equipment also has negative consequences in the form of producing an erroneous result. Does it happen that a diagnosed frozen pregnancy is an ultrasound error?
Frozen pregnancy can be caused by:
- abnormal manifestations associated with the genetics of the family;
- dysfunction of the female reproductive system;
- disturbances in a number of chromosomes of the embryo;
- endometriosis of a woman's ovaries.
The risk increases if the woman is not of reproductive age, and also if she has previously had several miscarriages. If a pregnant woman delays contacting a specialist, and the frozen fetus remains in the uterus for 2 to 6 weeks, pain in the lower abdomen with heavy discharge will appear. The consequences of late contact with a specialist can be disastrous, including removal of the reproductive organs. The photo obtained during the examination with an ultrasound sensor will provide results in real time, which will clearly display the condition of the embryo.
Determination of frozen pregnancy by ultrasound
A frozen pregnancy due to an ultrasound error is likely in connection with a pregnancy of up to 5 weeks, when the heartbeat of the embryo is difficult to determine. At week 7, there are practically no errors in the operation of the ultrasound machine. If the ultrasound procedure was carried out at 5-6 weeks and the results indicate a frozen pregnancy, an involuntary abortion is excluded.
A frozen pregnancy can be determined by ultrasound diagnostics. A frozen pregnancy can be visible on an ultrasound image when the pregnancy is more than 5 weeks old. If there are doubts about the final result, a repeat ultrasound procedure is prescribed. Often, a frozen pregnancy is confirmed using an ultrasound examination at 9-10 weeks.
The second trimester also requires special control, and if you feel unwell with characteristic features development of pathology, you urgently need to visit a doctor, passing necessary tests on hormones to get more reliable result. As an additional confirmatory method, an examination by a gynecologist is prescribed. If a woman is at a late stage, the gynecologist, examining the condition of the uterus, issues an appropriate conclusion.
The main signs of frozen early or late pregnancy lie in different sizes of the uterus and gestation periods. To ensure that doctors do not make mistakes during the study, the final conclusion is issued after all three studies.
When pregnancy is more than 12 weeks, Doppler ultrasound or ultrasound is prescribed, analyzing abdominal cavity women. During the examination, the doctor takes into account the condition of the uterus and embryo, which must correspond to this period.
A mistake that costs life is an ectopic pregnancy, which is detected by an ultrasound machine. During the study, the diagnostician can see on the monitor a false fertilized egg, which has no signs of a pathological abscess. In fact, the fetus is not located in the uterus, but in the tube. An incorrect conclusion in this case can lead to the woman’s death. To protect yourself from possible incorrect conclusions, you should register in a timely manner, follow your doctor’s instructions, and take the necessary tests.
Probability of ultrasound error during frozen pregnancy
If the development of the fetus is incorrect at the initial stage, an arbitrary miscarriage occurs. It is not always possible to detect a frozen fetus.
An ultrasound may give an error if the embryo has incorrect position(at ectopic pregnancy). If deviations from such a plan are detected, the woman is notified and offered to terminate the pregnancy.
An incorrect ultrasound conclusion can lead to a number of problems. Two factors can lead to an error: poor-quality equipment or an unqualified doctor. Based on this, women are recommended to undergo ultrasound examinations during pregnancy in clinics with high-quality equipment and qualified diagnosticians.
How can you find out about a frozen pregnancy without undergoing an ultrasound?
Suspicions of a frozen pregnancy are caused by the following symptoms experienced by a woman:
- increase low-grade fever bodies;
- weakness, but in general there are no significant changes in the woman’s health and these kinds of symptoms can be ignored in the early stages.
A doctor can determine the fact of fetal freezing when scheduled inspection. In order not to be in constant worry about the condition of the child, a woman should do pregnancy testing every week throughout the first trimester. One line on the test may not always indicate a frozen pregnancy, because such a result may be erroneous. For a reliable diagnosis, the doctor must prescribe an unscheduled ultrasound diagnostic test.
A frozen fetus can be determined before an ultrasound scan based on signs that exclude the complete absence of symptoms that appear during pregnancy. Signs and symptoms of a frozen pregnancy in the early stages may be as follows:
- cessation of toxicosis;
- absence pain in the mammary glands;
- dizziness and weakness;
- fever;
- bloody or dark discharge that appears after the fetus has ceased vital activity.
The woman begins to experience severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and her basal temperature decreases. The risk of miscarriage continues until 28 weeks. The deterioration of the pregnant woman's health indicates intoxication of the woman's body.
Considering what trimester of pregnancy the woman is in, if a woman is diagnosed with fetal failure, the woman may be offered surgery to scrape the embryo or undergo a stimulation procedure premature birth. Once a woman has been diagnosed with embryonic death, she will need to undergo a series of tests to determine the causes of embryo death. You should not fall into despair, because this kind of diagnosis is not a death sentence and, as a rule, the next pregnancy proceeds without complications.
The fetus froze - these are 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 to be 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 fertilized egg: in this case, fertilization has occurred, but the embryo does not develop. The pathology occurs spontaneously, maybe several times in a row throughout a woman’s life. Unfortunately, no one is safe from it. However, it is better to know the causes and signs of 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 little life. And the worst thing about this is that it is not so easy to notice changes.
Read in this article
Reasons why pregnancy does not develop
Why does frozen pregnancy occur in the early stages? This question worries and frightens young mothers. There are actually quite a lot of reasons:
- Genetic deviations occupy a leading place. They are detected in 70% of cases for up to 8 weeks. They are associated with many factors, including hereditary diseases, as well as the result of drug use by one of the partners. That is why it is important not to refuse screenings and other examinations suggested by a geneticist and gynecologist.
- Excessive consumption can also cause developmental arrest. It is especially dangerous if the mother cannot give up bad habits after conception.
- Medicines can also provoke the development of abnormalities. That is why doctors themselves strongly recommend that you stop taking any medications. The only exceptions can be severe 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 arrest in the development of the embryo.
- The reasons for frozen pregnancy in the early stages may lie in both the mother and the 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 accumulate over time. And after several abortions, it is very difficult for a conceived baby to resist such an attack.
- Infections, both genital organs and viral (flu), are a serious threat at the very beginning of life. The mother's body is already weakened by the new position, so it is not at all difficult to get sick. But here are the consequences high temperature, virus attacks can be very severe. Rubella is a formidable enemy, in the event of which the pregnancy not only stops, but the fetus may develop severe anomalies. And 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.
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 due to both a lack of prolactin and an excess of testosterone. If a woman has regular problems menstrual cycle, then it is imperative to be examined during planning, as well as regularly check the status of the hormone after conception.
- Harmful factors at work, diabetes, lifting weights, stress - all these factors can also cause the development of pathology.
Women who are at higher risk of developing pathology
But this is not the only answer to the question of why pregnancy fails in the early stages. Doctors identify a certain risk group, which includes:
- old-time mothers or expectant mothers over 35 years of age;
- if you have had multiple abortions in the past;
- if your previous pregnancy was ectopic;
- in the presence of a congenital anomaly of the uterus.
If one or all factors are present, the woman will be under constant medical supervision.
Expectant mothers who do not want to visit a gynecologist in the early stages are also at risk. 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 indicate a frozen pregnancy?
The saddest thing is that the symptoms of a frozen pregnancy in the early stages are not clearly expressed. Therefore, the expectant mother may not even be aware of the change in the condition of the fetus. Only a qualified doctor, after examining and ordering additional examinations, can determine the absence of embryo development.
Don't look for symptoms non-developing pregnancy in the early stages and, even more so, ask for advice from friends or on forums. In each case, everything is purely individual and depends on many factors.
Symptoms of an approaching disaster
For more later It’s easier for a woman to navigate, because she can already feel the baby moving. This is very difficult to do in the early stages. A frozen pregnancy, the symptoms of which in the first trimester may be similar to less serious abnormalities, manifests itself as follows:
- passes ;
- no more ;
- reduced;
- cramping pain began to appear;
- spotting appeared (discharge during a frozen pregnancy in the early stages has exactly the same consistency and red-brown color);
- general body temperature increased.
If any of the listed symptoms are detected, a woman should urgently consult a doctor! If the signs of pregnancy disappear, this should also alert the mother and become a reason to visit a specialist!
How does a pregnant woman feel when pathology develops?
Women experience very different sensations during a frozen pregnancy. They are even influenced by the fact whether this is the first time this has happened or whether a similar situation has happened before. Fatigue, apathy, elevated temperature- 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 prepare yourself for the approaching disaster. Quite often they turn out to be similar to less serious ones, or the body is simply undergoing a reconfiguration.
Diagnosis of the fact of fetal freezing
Only a doctor knows exactly how to recognize a frozen pregnancy in the early stages. To do this he will do the following:
- , will assess the condition of the mucus secreted, and will ask you to measure your basal temperature.
- If there is any suspicion of a deviation from the norm, the doctor will send the pregnant woman for a test. However, it is worth noting that hCG during a frozen pregnancy in the early stages can be completely within normal limits for several weeks after the death of the fetus. And yet, more often than not, a urine test will show a low level of the hormone, which is not typical for the first trimester.
- The last stage of examination will be an ultrasound. With the help of an ultrasound examination, it will become clear whether the embryo’s heart is beating or not.
Typically, a test for a frozen pregnancy in the early stages may show the same two lines. This is again related to hCG level in urine.
After the specialist confirms the diagnosis, he will select the necessary set of procedures for the mother, and will also further help her 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 way treatment. After all, when establishing such a diagnosis, we are talking about preserving the life and health of the mother. There are two main treatment methods:
- With the help of medications that provoke. Can be used for up to 8 weeks.
- (vacuum aspiration). Under anesthesia, the woman's uterine cavity is cleaned using vacuum suction.
In any case, professional help will definitely be required, since in order to avoid adverse consequences, it is necessary to clean the uterine cavity (remnants of the amniotic sac, which will be indicated by ultrasound).
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, as foreign body. In this case, the woman will simply notice a delay in her periods. Sometimes doctors prefer to observe the patient’s condition, waiting for a spontaneous abortion, so as not to interfere with the body again.
Why is it so scary not to see a doctor on time?
Sometimes a woman does not fully realize how severe the consequences of a missed early pregnancy can be for her. But the body does not always reject the fetus itself. If an embryo that has stopped developing remains in the womb for a long time, then intoxication is likely to develop. In this case, not only does the temperature rise, the woman begins to suffer from acute pain and weakness, and it is quite possible to delay the time until the blood becomes infected with elements of fetal decay.
If the pregnancy is more than 6 weeks, then in this case the woman has every chance of developing disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC 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 death during pregnancy
The couple, regardless of whether they are preparing to become parents for the first time or have children, must undergo an examination. 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 suggest taking several tests: hormones, genetic testing, Ultrasound of the pelvic organs, blood tests for infections and other additional ones that will be prescribed taking into account the parents’ medical history. It is also recommended to refrain from conceiving for up to six months after diseases such as acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, and chicken pox.
If a woman works in children's team, then she will be offered preventive vaccinations. Additional ones will need to be set up hormonal background. Don't ignore visiting a geneticist. Healthy image life will only increase the chances of becoming parents. In the first months, it is recommended to refrain from flying, sudden climate changes and prolonged exposure to the sun.
If your previous pregnancy ended in stopping the development of the embryo, don’t give up! At proper planning the chance of carrying and giving birth normally is 80%-90%. A gynecologist who cares for a couple will tell you how to prevent a frozen pregnancy in the early stages.
Pregnancy after fetal growth arrest
Doctors predict good chances of conceiving only if the couple does not ignore visiting specialized specialists, undergoes a course of treatment, and also gives up the idea of having a child for the next six months after an unsuccessful experience. On average, this period is necessary not only for a detailed examination and finding out the reason for the fading of pregnancy, but also for physical recovery mother's body.
As sad as it may be, it is quite rare to say with 100% certainty about the reasons for pregnancy termination. However, parents do not need to despair! Try to avoid stress harmful factors, and don’t forget to get tested - and may everything work out for you, and may the baby be born healthy and happy!
Fetal fading (death) is possible up to the 20th week of pregnancy. What is the essence of a frozen pregnancy? The answer is simple: “By various reasons is happening fetal death embryo." Usually a frozen pregnancy becomes a prerequisite for a miscarriage. The dead fetus is rejected by the body (but this is not in all cases).
When making this diagnosis, specialists must conduct repeated diagnostics. Initially, when symptoms of this pathology appear, doctors refer the pregnant woman for additional ultrasound examination.
Every pregnant woman hopes that the diagnosis of missed pregnancy is an ultrasound error and nothing more. Naturally, expectant mothers are concerned about the accuracy of ultrasound and the possibility of errors during ultrasound examination. Can ultrasound make a mistake in determining embryo freezing?
Causes of fetal freezing
The cause of a frozen pregnancy may be:
- Chromosomal error;
- Antiphospholipid syndrome, which consists of a complex of disorders in which the body produces antibodies with its own phospholipids.
- Anembryony;
- Rhesus conflict;
- Hormonal disorders;
- Infectious diseases;
- Bad habits, including not only smoking or alcohol, but also coffee;
- Excess/underweight;
- Taking hormonal medications;
- Pathologies of the uterus;
- Pregnancy using IVF.
According to statistics, the most common cause of fetal death in the early stages of pregnancy is a genetic failure that affects the development of the embryo. Considering the fact that the most important processes associated with the formation of basic systems, as well as internal organs, occur in the first stages of pregnancy, it is chromosomal errors at this time that become lethal for the child.
Unfortunately, gene pathologies can occur in the embryo even when the parents are absolutely healthy. Most often, for this reason, fetal freezing occurs during the period from 2 to 8 weeks. Less common is frozen pregnancy after the 13th week.
What are the signs of a frozen pregnancy?
Women who are at risk for fetal death are concerned about how to determine the death of the embryo. After all, very often this pathology is completely asymptomatic. The woman may not feel pain or any changes in well-being. A miscarriage can occur several days or weeks after the death of the embryo.
Suspicion of a stop in the development of pregnancy may arise in the following cases:
- Beginning of bleeding;
- Painful sensations in the lower abdomen, back;
- Abrupt cessation of present symptoms of toxicosis (not in all cases);
- Temperature rise above 37.5 0 C (only with the development of the inflammatory process);
- Disappearance of breast tenderness.
However, you should not panic immediately if you notice one or more of the above symptoms. They can also occur during normal pregnancy. The main thing is to let the obstetrician-gynecologist observing you know about the occurrence of complaints.
Signs of a non-developing pregnancy in the first trimester
First trimester
In different semesters, fetal freezing has distinctive symptoms. In the first trimester, toxicosis may suddenly stop (in about a day).
Softening of the mammary glands appears. This symptom is noticeable to a woman because from the moment the baby is conceived, there is an increase and tenderness of the mammary glands. At the same time, this symptom remains doubtful, like any other (except for ultrasound, blood tests for hCG).
A decrease in basal temperature as a result of a decrease in the amount of progesterone. An error in results occurs in case of illness or taking hormonal medications.
Absence of embryo during ultrasound examination. But ultrasound can also be wrong. It is recommended to undergo it after 5-6 weeks, because at this stage the fetal heartbeat is clearly visible. Experts advise waiting to clean the uterus and conducting a diagnosis after 1-2 weeks.
Second trimester
The main sign of a non-developing pregnancy is the cessation of the baby’s movements. Of course, there is no need to worry if the child does not move for a day or day. If they have not been observed for a longer time, go to the doctor. This way you will get rid of unnecessary worries. The solution to your worries is to check your baby's heartbeat with an obstetric stethoscope.
The release of a significant amount of colostrum, and after some time, milk. These symptoms appear after 25 weeks. But if there are no other symptoms besides this one, there is no need to worry. If there are fetal movements, this is simply preparing the body for breastfeeding.
Stopping the growth of the uterus.
Ultrasound diagnostics for suspected missed abortion
The diagnosis of a frozen pregnancy is never made by a specialist solely based on the presence of the above symptoms in a pregnant woman. The woman must undergo additional examination. Since the most effective way Ultrasound diagnostics is considered to be a diagnostic method for stopping the development of an embryo, and this is what a pregnant woman is recommended to undergo.
An ultrasound will allow not only to determine/refute a frozen pregnancy, but also in the event of fetal death, to determine the period of its fading. Doctors prescribe diagnostics only after 6-7 weeks of pregnancy. When examined at earlier stages of embryo development, information obtained through ultrasound may be unreliable.
Detection of a frozen pregnancy in very early stages is true in the following cases:
- The embryo was not found, although the size of the fertilized egg is more than 20 mm. In this case, anembryonia is diagnosed. In a normal pregnancy, already at the 7th week the size of the embryo reaches 20 mm;
- Absence of cardiac activity in an embryo whose size reaches 16 mm (during transvaginal examination) or 25 mm (during transabdominal examination).
There are times when a doctor doubts the accuracy of the results obtained. Then the specialist prescribes a repeat examination after a week or two. The quality of the results is influenced by both the qualifications of the specialist conducting the inspection and the quality of the equipment. Older ultrasound machines may be misdiagnosed because they may not pick up the fetal heartbeat.
Ultrasound errors
Very often, a woman does not even suspect that the embryo is dying. Arriving at the next scheduled ultrasound examination, a pregnant woman may be shocked by a similar diagnosis. There are cases when the diagnosis was made incorrectly. Of course, for doctors this is just another diagnosis, but for a woman expecting a child it is simply a disaster.
If the doctor, after recording the complaints of a pregnant woman characteristic of a frozen pregnancy, makes a hasty diagnosis, do not rush to clean it. An experienced specialist will definitely prescribe an ultrasound examination to confirm fetal death. In the early stages everything is much more complicated, but thanks modern technology and the qualifications of gynecologists, confirmation/denial of fading is real.
If your health allows you to wait, do not rush to clean the uterus. There have been cases when doctors made mistakes, and women gave birth to healthy children, without any pathologies. The most accurate information about the probable death of the fetus can be obtained from an ultrasound scan performed at 6-7 weeks of embryo development. At this time, its size is quite large and the heartbeat is clearly audible.
It is necessary to undergo an ultrasound examination using new equipment, since old ultrasound machines may not notice the work of the embryo’s heart. Such an error could cost your baby's life.
Pregnancy is the most exciting and happiest period in a woman’s life, so it is especially painful to hear at a doctor’s appointment, especially in the early stages, the following diagnosis – arrested fetal development or frozen pregnancy, in other words. Not a single woman wants to believe this verdict, so it is very important to understand why the fetus stops developing, what signs can be used to understand this, and what methods are used for diagnosis. And also the most main question– Can doctors make mistakes?
What is a frozen pregnancy?
Currently, experts use this term to mean two conditions:
- Anembryony: the presence of a fertilized egg without an embryo in the uterus, this happens if the formation of the embryo has not begun in principle or if its development has stopped at a maximum of 5 weeks of pregnancy.
- Fetal death: means that the fetus developed normally for some time, but for a number of reasons all signs of life began to be absent.
Causes
Despite the fact that the etiology and mechanisms of fetal development arrest have not yet been fully elucidated, experts identify the following reasons:
- Genetic abnormalities of the embryo,
- Violation of the anatomy of the reproductive system,
- Chromosomal pathologies of the embryo,
- Pathological condition of the endometrium
There is a high probability of early fetal loss in two cases: at high reproductive age of the mother and after large quantity previous miscarriages.
Risk factors
Unfortunately, experts identify a number of such reasons, and all of them are somehow related to the mother’s health. We are talking about the following factors:
- The mother has alcohol, nicotine or drug addiction,
- Chronic kidney diseases,
- Systemic connective tissue diseases,
- Uncompensated diabetes mellitus,
- Arterial hypertension in severe form,
- Uncompensated thyroid diseases,
- Low body mass index,
- Stress.
Is it possible to sense the death of an embryo?
Early
The clinical picture of a frozen pregnancy in the early stages is always specific:
- nausea, vomiting disappears,
- feeling dizzy, general weakness,
- fever appears
- The mammary glands become smaller.
If a woman does not contact a specialist in time, and the dead fetus remains in the uterus for a period of 2 to 6 weeks, pain in the lower abdomen and bleeding will occur.
At a later date
If the pregnancy stops in the later stages, then the main signs are termination motor activity fetus, followed by heavy vaginal bleeding and uterine pain.
Why ultrasound during a frozen pregnancy?
Ultrasound is the most informative way to diagnose an undeveloped pregnancy. After such a study, it becomes possible to make a diagnosis not only when complaints appear, but even long before any immediate signs.
Ultrasound reveals the absence of an embryo in the cavity of the ovum or the absence of a heartbeat at 7 weeks.
How is this ultrasound performed?
The patient needs to remove all clothing below the waist, then lie on her back on the couch with her knees bent. The examination is carried out transvaginally, so the doctor first places a condom on the sensor, and only then inserts it into the body. Next, using the device, the doctor scans the reproductive system, including the uterus and fertilized egg.
In the early stages, the specialist measures the size of the embryo, its average diameter and location, the size of the uterus, the echogenicity of the structures, the coccygeal-parietal size of the fetus, the size of the yolk egg and compares these parameters with standards corresponding to the timing of embryo development. The presence of a heartbeat is also assessed. Of course, the specialist compares the indicators of the previous examination in order to compare and draw the most accurate conclusion.
In the second and third trimester, the diagnostician already assesses the condition of all systems of the embryo, and also, due to contraindications to transvaginal examination, Doppler sonography or examination through the abdominal wall is performed.
What does an ultrasound scan show?
In the early stages of such diagnostics, the doctor notes a dead fetus that cannot be visualized. It is also possible to assess the fact that the size of the fertilized egg is lagging behind, while at the same time the size of the uterus does not correspond to the required ones. The deformation of the fetal egg is also clearly expressed: the contours are unclear, there are multiple constrictions, and separate scattered echostructures. Another indicator that makes a clear diagnosis is oligohydramnios. Another advantage of this research method is the 100% ability to distinguish a “false” fertilized egg from a true one.
Signs of a frozen pregnancy: the fetus has no heartbeat, and swelling of the patient’s tissues is also observed
In the second and third trimester, the immediate signs of a dead fetus are the following: disappearance of the contours of the head, divergence of the edges of the skull bones, drooping lower jaw, pathological curvature of the spine, abnormal flexion of the head, blurry contours of the skeleton, deformation chest, abnormal position of the fetus relative to the uterus, discrepancy between the size of the fetus and the corresponding norm, a kind of “scattering” of the limbs, lack of physiological curvature of the spine.
What to do if the diagnosis is a frozen pregnancy?
Based on statistical data, it can be stated that in 61% of cases, 2 weeks after an ultrasound, the uterus empties of the dead fetus on its own; in the remaining women, the fertilized egg remains in the uterus due to the tight attachment of the developing placenta or the inferiority of immune reactions of rejection, which can subsequently lead to development of infectious and inflammatory diseases.
In any case, doctors usually do not wait for further developments, but immediately send the patient for an abortion.
Medical abortion
In the early stages (up to 6 weeks) it is traditionally used medical abortion. In this case, the patient should under no circumstances select medications on her own, as this can lead to complications and death. The specific drug, its dosage, method of administration (orally or vaginally) should be selected only by an experienced specialist, and the process of emptying the uterine cavity itself should be carried out strictly under the supervision of a doctor. If, after using the drugs, the abortion is not complete, surgical intervention will be required, and ultrasound will again help determine this.
Vacuum aspiration
Another method for removing a frozen embryo is vacuum aspiration; its use is possible in the early stages (up to 15 weeks). This method has enough advantages: it can be carried out in outpatient setting, such aspiration requires less medications and painkillers, and it does not worsen the prognosis for further conception. Such an abortion is carried out by removing the fertilized egg from the uterine area using a special vacuum apparatus (without scraping): in this case, a special catheter is inserted inside and, thanks to the uniform pressure created, the egg comes out. A mini-abortion can take no more than 10 minutes and is still the preferred method of terminating a pregnancy with a frozen fetus.
Vacuum aspiration diagram
Scraping
After the second trimester, the only possible option abortion occurs by curettage of the uterine cavity. The curettage process itself and the accompanying dilation of the cervix cause pain. In this regard, they are always carried out using anesthesia and general anesthesia. For curettage, a specialist always uses a special device - a curette, a spoon-shaped object. During curettage, the mucous membrane and all contents of the uterus are removed. After curettage, unfortunately, complications, injuries and, in some cases, infertility often appear.
Instrument for fetal curettage – gynecological curette
Are any other steps necessary?
Vacuum aspiration requires further monitoring via ultrasound, the doctor needs to make sure that the embryo is completely removed. IN otherwise Additional suction of the remaining tissue in the uterus will be required.
After curettage, the patient must undergo rehabilitation period, which, in the absence of complications, lasts from 10 to 14 days and includes taking antibacterial drugs, hormonal contraceptives and sexual abstinence. After this period, an ultrasound is required to assess the condition of the uterus, and the specialist must also make sure that the embryo is finally removed.
Is medical error possible?
Each diagnostician, unfortunately, can make a mistake, since doctors are living people and are also subject to influence subjective factors As the others. In the early stages, the probability of error is greater than already in the second trimester, for example, but in absolute terms it is still small.
In order to independently assess whether a specialist’s conclusion is a mistake and exclude suspicions that the embryo has stopped developing, you should pay attention to the following:
- The patient needs to once again familiarize herself with the prerequisites and, having soberly assessed the situation, draw a conclusion - whether her fetus could have frozen in its development or not.
- It is necessary to remember the complaints for last weeks and the presence of immediate signs of developmental arrest.
In any case, you need to undergo an ultrasound again from another specialist. - If necessary, you can change the antenatal clinic.
It is prohibited to take any medications, which can harm the embryo, until the situation becomes clearer.
Thus, it may turn out that the diagnostician’s conclusion is not a verdict, but medical error, therefore, the result of the medical examination and the final accuracy of the diagnosis depend on the vigilance of the expectant mother.
The most common erroneous practice is scraping the walls of the uterine cavity even after the absence of fetal egg remains has been confirmed by ultrasound. Thus, the doctor carries out induced abortion after a successful natural miscarriage.
Surgical evacuation is carried out in this case “to be on the safe side”, despite the high probability of complications, such as structural and functional inferiority of the endometrium, for example. Therefore, again, the patient should have a repeat ultrasound and, if possible, contact another specialist in order to get a clear picture and understand whether there are indications for curettage or not.
