Frozen pregnancy 5 weeks symptoms. Causes of frozen pregnancy in the early stages, signs of fetal fading, treatment and consequences. Wrong lifestyle

The phenomenon of frozen pregnancy can occur in women of any age. The emergence of this pathology is facilitated by a combination of many factors and circumstances. To prevent fetal freezing, you must strictly follow the recommendations and advice of the gynecologist who is observing you, and also carefully take care of your own health even at the stage of planning the birth of a child.

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

How to detect a frozen pregnancy in time?
As a rule, the symptoms of fetal freezing are very accurate, and medical diagnosis is not difficult at all. The most important sign of cessation of embryo growth and development is the disappearance of signs of a developing pregnancy. When the first suspicions arise, you should consult a doctor, who, based on the results of an ultrasound examination, will identify the presence or absence of symptoms of a frozen embryo.

To date, doctors have calculated the periods of fetal development at which the risk of fetal death is very high: the first 3-4 weeks, from 8 to 11 weeks and from 16 to 18 weeks of pregnancy. The likelihood of developing a frozen pregnancy is especially high in the eighth week, when changes are observed in the mother’s body and the formation of the most important organs of the unborn child occurs.

Causes of frozen pregnancy.
Anything can provoke such a phenomenon, starting with a violation hormonal levels mother and genetic disorders in the fetus, and ending with acute infectious diseases and bad habits. Most common reasons Frozen pregnancy is caused by the woman's consumption of alcohol in large quantities, drugs and cigarettes, as well as diseases such as herpes, chlamydia, toxoplasmosis, etc. Of course, if a woman really wants to have a healthy baby, then she should eliminate all these dangerous factors in the early stages of pregnancy.

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

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

Hyperandrogenism is also one of the causes of fetal death. In approximately twenty percent of women, while carrying a child, the level of male sex hormones (androgens) increases, as a result of which the woman begins to develop masculine characteristics (excessive hair, changes in the properties of the skin, voice, physique, etc.). Therefore, if you have previously had a frozen pregnancy, miscarriage, frequent delays in menstruation and male-type hair growth, it is important before planning a pregnancy to take tests to determine your hormonal status and, if necessary, undergo a course of treatment, thereby you will prevent or significantly reduce the likelihood of fetal fading in the future .

Various infections can cause fetal death not only in the early, but also in later stages of gestation (about 30% of cases). While carrying a child, a woman’s immunity is completely suppressed, because then the body would simply begin to fight the foreign body that appears, which is the embryo. As a result, the mother's body becomes very vulnerable to various infections. In pregnant women, all infectious diseases begin to worsen. Non-hazardous flora begins to multiply rapidly, the vaginal microflora is activated, creating a threat of intrauterine infection of the fetus. But infection of the expectant mother during pregnancy is especially dangerous, and not an exacerbation of existing infectious diseases. In particular, infection with chickenpox or rubella, in addition to frozen pregnancy, can cause an abnormality in the development of the fetus. In this situation, the question already arises about artificial interruption pregnancy. Irreversible changes can result from infection with cytomegalovirus (CMV), which causes multiple malformations of the embryo.

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

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

It should be noted that very often pregnancy as a result of in vitro fertilization ends in embryonic death or spontaneous miscarriage.

The cause of a frozen pregnancy can also be the use of medications by a woman (who is not aware of her pregnancy), the use of which is contraindicated during pregnancy. You should know that several months before a planned pregnancy, as well as during it, it is not recommended to use any medications without a doctor’s prescription. However, taking medications in the early stages (7-10 days) cannot cause a frozen pregnancy, since at this time there is no close connection between the embryo and its mother. After 8-10 weeks of pregnancy, the placenta protects from the effects of drugs, so the likelihood of frozen pregnancies at later stages is slightly reduced. If future mom works in a hazardous workplace, the risk of developing a frozen pregnancy is very high.

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

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

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

As a rule, a frozen pregnancy ends with curettage (cleaning) of the uterine cavity in a hospital setting using vacuum aspiration (in the early stages) or under the supervision of a doctor, a miscarriage is induced using special medications. Sometimes it happens that a woman’s frozen pregnancy without medical intervention ends in spontaneous miscarriage. If this does not happen within a certain time, and according to ultrasound, there are remains of the fertilized egg in the uterus, then they resort to the measures described above, after which antibacterial therapy is carried out. Two weeks later, an ultrasound is performed to assess the recovery of the body.

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

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

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

After doctors have identified the causes of a missed abortion and carried out appropriate treatment, if necessary, the woman must regain her strength before planning her next pregnancy. This will take her about six months. During this period, it is important to take every possible preventive measures in order to prevent the situation from reoccurring (to lead healthy image life, take vitamins, use contraception). The woman herself needs to see a psychologist who will help overcome her fears and worries about planning her next pregnancy.

A woman who has experienced a similar situation, with normal tests, may not require treatment, because, as I have already said, most often a frozen pregnancy develops due to a genetic malfunction, the repetition of which is unlikely to be observed in the future. However, in case of repeated cases of fetal freezing, treatment is mandatory.

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

So, if you have a sexually transmitted infection, you need to get rid of them at least three months before the planned conception. If you did not have diseases such as rubella or chickenpox as a child, you should get vaccinated, especially if you have frequent contact with children (for example, you work in a kindergarten).

To prevent frozen pregnancy and other complications, all women need to eat a rational and balanced diet, including more fresh vegetables and fruits. In addition, it is necessary to refuse all bad habits, since they sharply increase the risk of frozen pregnancy. Spend more time outdoors.

Who is at risk for a repeat pregnancy that does not develop?

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

In the article we discuss the 5th week of pregnancy. We will look at the signs and symptoms of this period of waiting for your baby. You will find out what happens to the fetus and what a woman feels at 5 weeks of pregnancy. We will tell you why at this time there are discharge, bleeding, abdominal and lower back pain, toxicosis, frozen pregnancy and miscarriage.

5th week of pregnancy - signs and symptoms

At the 5th week of pregnancy, symptoms already appear, sensations in the body change

At the fifth week of pregnancy, the expectant mother can reliably find out that she is expecting a baby. If the pregnancy is unplanned, then it is during this period that a woman may be alarmed by a delay menstrual cycle and other symptoms of the situation.

The 5th obstetric week of pregnancy means the period from the first day of the last menstruation. Only 3 weeks have passed since conception during this period.

Many women are interested in the question: is it possible to determine pregnancy at 5 weeks? At home, special tests are used for this purpose to determine the period. They measure the level of hormones in a woman’s body and, interacting with reagents, produce a result.

A hormonal test for the level of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) can confirm the presence of pregnancy.. It is carried out every 2-3 days and the dynamics of indicators are monitored. The hCG norm at the 5th week of pregnancy is from 1000 to 3100 mIU/ml. If hCG level Every 2-3 it doubles, this indicates that the result is positive.

To independently determine pregnancy at 5 weeks, a woman needs to pay attention to the following signs and symptoms:

• delay of menstruation;
• general weakness;
• nagging pain in the lower abdomen;
• change of tastes and increased sensitivity to foreign odors;
• morning sickness;
• increased salivation;
• increased breast sensitivity and a slight increase in size.

The listed characteristics are not mandatory. Some women don't notice unusual sensations at 5 weeks of pregnancy.

Changes in the mother's body at 5 weeks of pregnancy

A sharp increase in hormone levels leads to noticeable changes in the body of the expectant mother. At 5 weeks, she may feel swelling and hardening of the mammary glands. This is how the body begins to prepare for feeding the baby.

Many expectant mothers are interested in the issue of weight gain in the early stages of pregnancy. In the first month, weight gain is insignificant - up to 500 grams.

Some women, on the contrary, lose weight during the first weeks of pregnancy. This is associated with symptoms of toxicosis: severe nausea, vomiting, weakness and loss of appetite. A slight weight loss in the first weeks of pregnancy is not a pathology, but it is better to consult a doctor so that he can advise how to make the symptoms of toxicosis less pronounced.

Visually, the belly of the expectant mother remains the same. The size of the uterus at 5 weeks of pregnancy is comparable to chicken egg. During this period, the fertilized egg occupies almost the entire uterine cavity, and over the next weeks it doubles in size every 7 days. The size of the ovum at the 5th week of pregnancy is from 18 to 40 mm.

During this period, the load on the nervous system of the expectant mother increases. Due to the increased amount of hormones, sudden mood swings appear. Expectant mothers do not control the functioning of hormones, so they may not even notice changes in their own behavior.

Feelings in the fifth week of pregnancy

At the 5th week of pregnancy, a woman begins to feel discomfort in her chest. At this time, the restructuring of the mammary glands begins for subsequent successful feeding of the child.

If at 5 weeks of pregnancy your breasts stop hurting, although you had discomfort before, don’t worry. This is not a reason to panic, but an indicator of smoother functioning of hormones and normal formation of the mammary glands. Each woman’s body is individual, so some feel pain in the breasts up to 16-20 weeks, while others do not notice anything at all.

The same applies to toxicosis - some women strictly monitor their diet and diet so as not to provoke an attack of nausea, others do not notice any changes and do not experience discomfort. Therefore, to the question - can you feel sick at 5 weeks of pregnancy, we answer in the affirmative. Moreover, toxicosis can also occur in late pregnancy.

What happens to the embryo at 5 weeks of pregnancy

During this period of waiting for the baby, important changes occur not only in the mother’s body, but also in the fetus.. The child’s limbs and vital organs begin to form: liver, pancreas and thyroid glands, lungs. Gonoplasts are produced, which will form the baby’s sex hormones.

The size of the embryo at the 5th week of pregnancy is from 4 to 7 mm, weight - about 4 grams. Visually, the head, rudiments of arms and legs are visible on it. Look at the photo what the fetus looks like at 5 weeks of pregnancy.

At this time, the primary placenta begins to function. Now the baby receives nutrition through it, and not from nearby tissues. It provides a barrier and protects the fetus from exposure external factors. One of them is ultrasound examination of the fetus. Let us tell you whether it is possible to do an ultrasound at 5 weeks of pregnancy.

Ultrasound of the fetus at 5 weeks of pregnancy

Ultrasound at 5 weeks of pregnancy is performed extremely rarely. Strictly according to medical indications, or if the expectant mother herself insists on carrying out the procedure. Most often, the first screening test is prescribed at 12-14 weeks, when the fetus is more mature and protected from the harmful effects of the device.

Ultrasound of the fetus at 5 weeks of pregnancy

During an ultrasound at the 5th week of pregnancy, the doctor determines the exact location of the embryo, size, quantity (if multiple pregnancy). Modern technologies make it possible to identify developmental pathologies even at such an early stage. Look at the ultrasound photo of the size of the fetus at 5 weeks of pregnancy.

In addition, using an ultrasound examination, you can listen to the heartbeat at 5 weeks of pregnancy. Normal indicators heart rate during this period is from 90 to 110 beats.

What you need to know about the fifth week of pregnancy

This period is optimal for the first visit to the doctor. The specialist will conduct an examination, prescribe initial tests and answer all questions. The doctor will tell you what you can do during pregnancy and what you should avoid, and will select vitamins at 5 weeks of pregnancy to strengthen the mother’s immunity and the development of the fetus.

Lifestyle in the fifth week of pregnancy

During the period of bearing a baby, the expectant mother should be more attentive to her health, not get too cold, and spend more time in the fresh air. Moderate physical exercise will benefit both mother and baby. If you did not exercise before pregnancy, you should consult a specialist to exclude possible contraindications. In any case, the expectant mother needs physical activity, the main thing is not to overexert herself.

At this time, it is also important to protect yourself from the harmful effects of harmful substances, including tobacco smoke. Neither smoking nor a pregnant woman staying in a smoky room will benefit the child.

If the expectant mother works in hazardous working conditions, then she should contact the antenatal clinic and register to receive a certificate for the employer. By law, a pregnant woman must be provided safe conditions labor.

Nutrition at 5 weeks of pregnancy

Eat more fruits and vegetables

Throughout the entire period of bearing a baby, and not just in the 5th week of pregnancy, the expectant mother needs to monitor her diet, focusing on the most healthy foods. It is necessary to exclude fatty and fried foods, giving preference to boiled, stewed or baked foods.

Often during pregnancy, women experience unusual taste preferences in food. There may be a desire to combine incongruous things. You shouldn’t try to overcome this desire, otherwise it could lead to a nervous breakdown, but it won’t hurt to limit it.

From the 5th week of pregnancy, the expectant mother should slightly adjust her diet towards plant foods. Excessive consumption of protein foods significantly increases the load on the body. Food products must contain a sufficient amount of folic acid necessary for the full development of the baby. As we said above, you can take vitamin complexes.

The expectant mother needs to drink enough liquid. It's better to give preference mineral water, freshly squeezed juices, herbal teas. Lemonades and any drinks with a high content of coloring substances should be excluded from the diet. Lovers of coffee and strong tea should also reduce the consumption of these drinks, which can negatively affect the baby's health.

What can go wrong at 5 weeks pregnant?

During pregnancy, the expectant mother may face a number of difficulties and ailments. Some of them are harmless and are a variant of the norm, others can pose a threat at 5 weeks of pregnancy. Let's look at the most common of them.

Discharge at 5 weeks of pregnancy

Discharge at 5 weeks of pregnancy is normal, but only if it is clear, watery and odorless. When greenish or curdled discharge you need to consult a doctor. This symptom is a sign of an infectious disease that needs to be treated as early as possible so as not to harm the child.

Brown discharge streaked with blood at 5 weeks of pregnancy may indicate a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, so do not delay visiting your doctor. Minor discharge Brown may appear with cervical erosion, polyps, late embryo attachment.

Bleeding at 5 weeks of pregnancy

In rare cases, spotting may occur during the 5th week of pregnancy. Menstrual bleeding during the first months of bearing a baby is normal, but specialist supervision is also strictly necessary.

Heavy bleeding at 5 weeks of pregnancy may occur as a result of late attachment of the embryo to the wall of the uterus. As a result, the woman’s body does not have time to quickly adapt and rejects the fetus. This may lead to miscarriage.

Pulls the stomach and lower back

The expectant mother may be worried that her stomach is tight at 5 weeks of pregnancy, and the pain radiates to the lower back. There may be several reasons. A woman may feel the first discomfort when the embryo attaches to the mucous membrane.

If the left ovary hurts at the 5th week of pregnancy, this may signal an enlargement of the uterus, which begins to put pressure on internal organs. Discomfort can occur in both the left and right ovaries.

The cause of pain may be an inflammatory process. Therefore, it is extremely important to consult a doctor in time to start treatment on time.

If your lower back hurts at 5 weeks of pregnancy, this may indicate a gradual stretching of the ligaments in the pelvic organs. If the discomfort intensifies, do not delay your visit to the doctor.

Ectopic pregnancy at 5 weeks

If there is a strong pulling in the lower abdomen at 5 weeks of pregnancy, as before menstruation, this may be a symptom of some pathology, for example, an ectopic pregnancy. It occurs due to the attachment of the embryo outside the uterine cavity.

When your stomach hurts severely in the 5th week of pregnancy, you feel a general weakness of the body, a rapid pulse, you need to urgently call an ambulance and go to the doctor. Late diagnosed ectopic pregnancy can lead to rupture of the fallopian tube.

Frozen pregnancy at 5 weeks

When the fertilized egg stops developing and growing, and the embryo dies, a frozen pregnancy occurs. In this case, the fetus continues to be in the uterine cavity, and the symptoms of pregnancy persist. It is not easy to determine this pathology in the early stages (from 3 to 5 weeks).

What are the symptoms of a frozen pregnancy in the early stages of 5 weeks:

• regular decrease in basal temperature;
• profuse discharge of brown or greenish-brown color with an odor;
• dull, nagging pain in the lower abdomen and lower back;
• disappearance of toxicosis symptoms.

Miscarriage at 5 weeks of pregnancy

Miscarriage at 5 weeks of pregnancy - spontaneous early interruption gestation. The causes of this pathology may be genetic disorders, infectious processes in the body of the expectant mother, and hormonal imbalance.

Symptoms of miscarriage at 5 weeks of pregnancy:

• acute spasmodic pain in the ovarian area;
• girdle pain in the lower back;
• pulling, cutting, stabbing pain in the lower abdomen;
• profuse bleeding;
• increased body temperature;
• weakness;
• dizziness;
• fainting;
• reduction in pregnancy symptoms.

If you notice one of the above symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor. The consequences of a miscarriage can be inflammatory diseases, hormonal disorders, infertility, menstrual irregularities.

Toxicosis at 5 weeks of pregnancy

Toxicosis at 5 weeks of pregnancy is a common occurrence. It indicates that the expectant mother’s body is trying to get used to the new state. Toxicosis is often accompanied by the following symptoms:

• nausea;
• vomit;
• dizziness;
• weakness.

To make the symptoms of toxicosis less noticeable, you need to pay attention Special attention nutrition and daily routine. It is advisable to take food in small portions. Try not to get out of bed on an empty stomach. The first light snack can be taken in bed - eat a piece of fruit or drink a glass of sweet tea.

Herbal remedies, such as tea with mint, lemon or ginger, can cope with the symptoms of toxicosis. Before use, you should consult a specialist.

Cold at 5 weeks of pregnancy

During the period of bearing a baby, a woman’s body’s defenses weaken, and at this time one can easily catch a cold. You should not take this seemingly minor disease lightly, as it can lead to adverse consequences for both mother and baby: complications during childbirth, infectious diseases of the genital tract, and developmental disorders of the fetus.

It is necessary to start treating colds at 5 weeks of pregnancy as early as possible. Only safe drugs are suitable for this. Often used in the treatment of pregnant women traditional medicine: herbal teas, honey, raspberry jam, saline or chamomile gargles.

If the other symptoms of a cold are accompanied by a temperature of 37 at the 5th week of pregnancy, you can use rubbing with vinegar water. Compresses effectively reduce fever and eliminate cough.

Is it possible to have sex at 5 weeks pregnant?

Many women are reasonably interested in the question: is it possible to have sex at 5 weeks of pregnancy? Obstetricians and gynecologists agree that if pregnancy proceeds without pathologies, then intimate intimacy will only be beneficial.

Another point is that each woman undergoes hormonal changes differently. And if one expectant mother only thinks about sex, then another may completely forget about it. The influence of hormones on a woman’s libido is individual in each case.

Is it possible to drink alcohol at 5 weeks pregnant?

If you have not completely eliminated alcohol from your diet, then at 5 weeks of pregnancy is the time to do it. Now the embryo already has a connection with the mother’s body through blood vessels and begins to receive nutrition directly through the mother’s body. That is, everything that a woman eats and drinks certainly ends up in the child. That is why you should completely avoid alcohol consumption for the entire period of pregnancy, so as not to harm the baby.

For more information about the 5th week of pregnancy, watch the video:

What to remember

1. At week 5, the first obvious signs of pregnancy appear: toxicosis, engorgement of the mammary glands, changes in appetite and taste preferences.
2. If you notice any signs of deviation from the normal course of pregnancy, contact your doctor immediately.
3. Blood at 5 weeks of pregnancy may appear as a result of late attachment of the embryo to the wall of the uterus or in connection with menstrual flow. In both cases, an examination by a specialist is necessary.
4. From the 5th week of pregnancy, it is necessary to completely eliminate alcohol from the diet of the expectant mother.

It consists in the fact that nothing bothers the woman for some time after fetal death fetus She enjoys her position, sometimes not suspecting that the child does not develop and dies, especially in the first and early second trimester, when the expectant mother does not yet feel the fetus moving. Unfortunately, this can happen to any woman.

information The symptoms of a non-developing pregnancy are slightly different (before 12 weeks) and (after 12 weeks) terms, but they are all divided into probable and reliable. The first category includes those symptoms that may prompt the doctor or the woman herself to undergo a more detailed examination, but are not the main ones for determining a frozen pregnancy. Reliable signs are those on the basis of which a diagnosis is made.

Symptoms of frozen pregnancy in the early stages

Possible symptoms in the early stages

• The very first signs of a frozen pregnancy in the early stages are a decrease in the woman’s subjective sensations that appear with the onset of conception: manifestations (nausea, vomiting), engorgement of the mammary glands, sensitivity to smells, changes in taste preferences.
• Decline. Basal temperature (resting body temperature, which is measured in the rectum at the same time in the morning, without getting out of bed) increases in the second phase of the menstrual cycle by 0.3-0.5 degrees and remains elevated during conception and pregnancy. This is facilitated by high levels of the hormone progesterone, which maintains pregnancy. If fetal freezing occurs, the basal temperature drops to normal (36.4-36.8 degrees Celsius). However, this can also occur with a lack of the hormone progesterone, and with a threatening miscarriage.
• Gynecological examination. During a gynecological examination, the doctor assesses the size, consistency of the uterus, length and density of the cervix, patency cervical canal(cervical canal). A sign of a frozen pregnancy is the smaller size of the uterus compared to what it should be at a given expected period. If the doctor discovers such a discrepancy, it is necessary to do an ultrasound of the uterus to confirm or refute suspicions.
• Bloody issues from the genital tract. Usually the appearance of bloody discharge indicates the onset of spontaneous miscarriage. Most often, this symptom occurs some time (2-4 weeks) after the intrauterine death of the baby.
• Nagging pain in the lower abdomen, increased pain, also occurs after some time has passed after the fetus has died.

Reliable signs of a non-developing pregnancy

1. You can detect a frozen pregnancy in the early stages using human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). HCG is produced by the cells surrounding the embryo, starting from the 7th day after fertilization. Every day the level of this hormone almost doubles and reaches a maximum by the 10th week of pregnancy, then gradually decreases and remains at the same level until childbirth. At the earliest stages, when the fetal heartbeat is not yet detected on ultrasound, fetal fading can be suspected based on the level of hCG, since each stage of pregnancy is characterized by a certain level of hCG, as well as its daily increase up to 10 weeks. If human chorionic gonadotropin is below the levels typical for a given week of pregnancy, and when the analysis is repeated the next day, its level drops, this gives the right to diagnose fetal fading.
2. To one of reliable signs frozen pregnancy refers to the absence of a fetal heartbeat on ultrasound. The baby's heartbeat begins to be detected from the 5-6th week of pregnancy. Therefore, if the fetus is visualized well, but there is no cardiac activity, this means that the fetus is frozen. But if the heartbeat is not detected at the earliest stages, and only the fertilized egg is visible, you need to wait and do a second ultrasound after 5-7 days. During this period, the size of the fertilized egg at normal pregnancy increase.

The violation criteria are:

• Absence of heartbeat when the coccygeal-parietal size of the fetus is more than 5 mm;
• Absence of an embryo when the size of the fertilized egg is more than 25 mm;
• Abnormal yolk sac.

Signs of frozen pregnancy in late stages

additionally In addition to those listed, from the middle of the second trimester another sign of a frozen pregnancy appears - the woman stops feeling the baby move. Usually she begins to feel it from 18-20 weeks (it matters whether it is a repeat pregnancy or not, and the build of the woman herself).

At first, the movements are not so obvious and active, more like bowel movements. Sometimes the baby’s movements during the day are not so active. A woman is busy with her daily activities, especially if she is still working and is constantly on the move, so the slightest movements of the child may go unnoticed. And when, in the evening, the expectant mother can finally relax, lie down on the sofa or bed, the child’s activity increases (at least it feels that way) and the mother can concentrate and enjoy the kicks of her baby. Pay attention to your baby's activity throughout the day. If he hasn't pushed you for a long time, sit down, rest, talk to him to feel his presence. If you haven't felt any movement for 6 hours, it's a cause for concern!

If you do receive a diagnosis non-developing pregnancy, do not despair. Take this as an opportunity to prepare more thoroughly for your next pregnancy.

Reliable signs in later stages

A reliable sign of intrauterine fetal death is the absence of a heartbeat during ultrasound examination.

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

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

Cessation of fetal development can occur at any age and at any stage of prenatal development, but is most often diagnosed in the early stages - in the first trimester of pregnancy.

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

What is the danger of a frozen pregnancy?

In the early stages of pregnancy, due to subtle signs of an anomaly, the expectant mother may not immediately pay attention to the cessation of fetal development. Rejection of the fertilized egg usually occurs within 14-17 days, so a woman can walk with a dead embryo in the uterus for up to 2.5 weeks. And if it doesn’t happen spontaneously, it will take longer. In this case, contacting a gynecologist occurs already at the stage severe inflammation and poisoning of the body pregnant woman with membranes.

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

Possible changes in a woman’s body can lead to reproductive dysfunction, therefore, you should pay attention to even the most minor deviations in well-being.

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

Genetic disorders of the fetus

Experts call the most common reason influencing the appearance of a frozen pregnancy in the early stages (in the first trimester) chromosomal disorders the embryo itself. The pathology can be inherited from the father or mother. As a rule, the consequence of a genetic failure manifests itself in the early stages of pregnancy.

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

Hormonal disorders

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

Rhesus conflict

The difference between positive Rh factor Doctors call the child and negative mother a Rh conflict. Rh conflict manifests itself in the production of antibodies by the mother’s body, which can result in fetal death. As a rule, specialists diagnose this condition in a timely manner and take preventive measures to prevent it.

Infections

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

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

Bleeding disorders

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

Medicines

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

Stress

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

Physical impact

Lifting weights, heavy physical activity at work, or abdominal injuries can cause uterine hypertonicity and lead to fetal growth arrest. Therefore, you must adhere to the doctor’s recommendations, do not overload yourself, and do not wear high heels to avoid falls.

Wrong lifestyle

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

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

How does a frozen pregnancy manifest: signs and symptoms

What are the first signs and symptoms of a frozen pregnancy in the early stages, how to determine it? In the first trimester of pregnancy, the stoppage of embryo development may be invisible to the woman.

Initially characteristic feature and a symptom of a frozen pregnancy in the first trimester can be disappearance and sensitivity of the mammary glands.

After detachment of the fertilized egg from the uterus, cramping nagging pain, at the same time, blood or blood cells are secreted from the genital organs. Signs of intoxication by decay products of the membranes may appear: sharp pain, fever, chills, weakness.

Does the test show a frozen pregnancy? The concentration of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin and progesterone in the blood rapidly decreases. This allows you to use a regular pregnancy test for diagnosis if the embryo is frozen the test result is negative.

At all stages of gestation, a sign of fetal pathology is a decrease. It should be noted that low basal temperature does not occur in all women during frozen pregnancy.

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

Fetal growth arrest can be diagnosed using a gynecological examination and ultrasound examination.

Blood or urine test for hCG used in the early stages of pregnancy or as an auxiliary marker in later stages to exclude frozen pregnancy. The hormone human chorionic gonadotropin is produced by the chorion, which will later develop into the fetal placenta. During a frozen pregnancy, the hCG hormone stops being produced and within 5-7 days shows significantly reduced levels. In case of a frozen pregnancy, the test shows the absence of pregnancy. If an anomaly occurs during the second and third pregnancy, high gonadotropin levels may persist for a month.

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

Most reliable results in the diagnosis of fetal freezing shows ultrasonography. With the help of this, the doctor determines the presence or absence of a heartbeat in the embryo. However, this can only be done with 5 obstetric week development, it is at this time that the device will be able to record the child’s heartbeat. Although, there are cases of errors in diagnosing a frozen pregnancy using ultrasound. Therefore, at the slightest suspicion of the doctor’s incompetence, we recommend that you consult with another specialist.

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

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

After making a diagnosis and taking tests after a frozen pregnancy, the doctor takes a wait-and-see approach, because in most cases it happens natural miscarriage– the most gentle way to remove a fetus for a woman’s health. If the natural process does not occur, special medications, causing artificial contraction of the uterus. It should be noted that drug treatment possibly up to 8 weeks of pregnancy.

Another method of removing the fertilized egg is called vacuum aspiration. Currently this method treatment most popular among specialists. The advantages of a vacuum include: minimal damage to the mucous membrane of the uterus and cervix, rapid restoration of the uterine cavity after the procedure, minimal operation time.

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

If you do not treat a frozen pregnancy in time, health consequences women can have very serious problems: from pelvic inflammation and intoxication of the body to infertility.

Prevention of frozen pregnancy

Before planning your next pregnancy, you should undergo preventive treatment to prevent recurrence of the pathology. For this purpose, it is necessary to undergo tests to identify possible causes of fetal development arrest.

What examinations and tests are they taken after a frozen pregnancy?

• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs;
• analysis of hormone levels in the blood;
• blood test for the level of antibodies to viral diseases;
• smear test for STDs;
• genetic study of partner compatibility;
• results are also important

If all tests show no abnormalities, treatment will most likely not be required. If deviations in a woman’s health are detected, it is imperative to undergo a course of preventive treatment prescribed by a doctor.

Is it possible, how and when? Experts look at the question of pregnancy planning differently. Thus, in European countries pregnancy is already allowed 2-3 months after the pathology, whereas in countries former USSR Doctors recommend abstaining from conceiving for 6 months.

For example, if the reason for the cessation of fetal development was viral infection, experts advise waiting until the body develops an immune response against the infection.

Many people ask the question about planning!? After curettage, the gynecologist prescribes a mandatory three-month intake of contraceptives to restore the uterine lining. When chromosomal abnormality the embryo must wait only until the pelvic organs are restored after removal of the frozen pregnancy. Then you can safely try again. As we wrote above, you have a 90% chance that your next pregnancy will be successful.

Prosperous prenatal development Following simple recommendations will help your child:

• take folic acid before conception;
• undergo restorative;
• lead a healthy lifestyle;
• monitor the microflora of the genital organs;
• do not self-medicate;
• Follow your doctor's recommendations.

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

Video about frozen pregnancy

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

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

A common fear that haunts expectant mothers in the early stages of pregnancy is that they are afraid of discovering the death of the embryo during one of their ultrasound visits. Sometimes this anxiety becomes so obsessive that the expectant mother is ready to literally live next to the ultrasound machine and constantly be confident in the successful development of the child.

But a frozen pregnancy has certain symptoms that can be noticed if you carefully monitor the general condition of your body.

We can conditionally divide these signs into 2 groups: the first includes those that a pregnant woman can observe on her own, and the second includes those observed with the help of special studies and not visible to the naked eye.

Symptoms of frozen pregnancy in the first trimester

It is possible to determine that the fertilized egg has died by observing the nature of the discharge from the genital tract, general health, toxicosis, as well as the behavior of the basal temperature graph. These will be only indirect symptoms of a frozen pregnancy in the early stages, but their presence will serve as a signal to consult a doctor and conduct more thorough research.

Discharge

Despite the fact that the embryo dies, the fertilized egg remains in the uterus for some time. If a miscarriage does not occur in the first hours, then the body will get rid of the fetus gradually.

• In the first 1-2 days after the onset of regression in fetal development, the discharge has a normal whitish color and normal consistency.
• Over the next few days, the embryo begins to decompose. These processes affect the fertilized egg, which begins to gradually peel off from the wall of the uterus, where it was previously implanted. Reddish streaks may appear in the discharge.
• After 2 weeks from the moment of death of the embryo, detachment of the ovum becomes more obvious. The discharge becomes bloody and acquires a red-brown color.

As a rule, when blood appears, a woman turns to a gynecologist, who diagnoses a lost pregnancy. But this symptom does not necessarily mean that the embryo has stopped developing. Perhaps he is alive, and the detachment began for completely different reasons.

Toxicosis

If nausea began in the first weeks of pregnancy, then by changes in its frequency and intensity one can judge that not all is well with the embryo. begins to appear after implantation of a fertilized egg into the uterus, so an increase in concentration hCG hormone in the blood causes nausea and vomiting to intensify.

• On the first day after the embryo has died, nausea may occur in the same way as during the pregnancy.
• Over the next 24 hours, the hCG level begins to decrease, so if the expectant mother has vomited, it may turn into a slight feeling of nausea.
• After 4-5 days, toxicosis disappears.
• Another option for changing the manifestations of intoxication may be the sudden cessation of vomiting and nausea.

It must be remembered that a decrease in the number of vomiting may be a sign of a natural cessation of toxicosis due to the mother’s body becoming accustomed to the presence of pregnancy.

General health

A decomposing ovum that does not leave the uterus will contribute to poor overall health over time. However, this symptom appears when the deceased pregnancy remains in the mother’s body for a long time.

• Weakness, dizziness and pulling sensations in the lower abdomen appear approximately 3 weeks after the embryo dies.
• Sharp pain in the uterus and a slight increase to 37.7 appears 4 weeks after the death of the embryo.
• High temperature and cramping pain in the uterus, accompanied by general weakness and loss of consciousness, are observed 5 weeks after the death of the embryo.

A long stay of a decomposing fertilized egg in a woman’s body is fraught with severe inflammation, which can develop into sepsis. Therefore, you need to pay special attention to other signs of a frozen pregnancy in the early stages of pregnancy in order to carry out curettage of the uterine cavity in time.

Changes in the BT schedule

Many women continue to monitor their basal temperature daily even after pregnancy. This will be another opportunity to notice the first signs of fetal death in time, and the temperature will react faster than all other symptoms.

• Within two days the BT line on the chart will begin to move downwards. Normally, the thermometer should show a temperature of at least 37 degrees. However, approximately 48 hours after the cessation of embryonic activity, it will drop to values ​​of 36.9 - 36.8.
• After 4 days, the temperature will drop to 36.7 degrees and will remain at this value for several more days.
• Next, the process of decomposition of the fertilized egg will enter a more active phase, and the BT will react to the occurrence of an inflammatory process in the pelvic organs with a sharp rise.

However, in some cases, the cessation of embryo development does not affect basal temperature indicators. Then the pregnant woman should rely on a number of the above symptoms.

Signs of frozen pregnancy in the early stages (first trimester)

Signs of fetal death are determined by the doctor, based on the results of the studies. As a rule, a woman seeks help if she has pain and spotting, scanty (or heavy) bloody discharge, or a lost pregnancy is discovered by chance during an ultrasound scan. In addition to hardware testing, the pregnant woman will have to take a blood test to determine the concentration of hCG.

Ultrasound indicators

• The embryo's heartbeat is not detected. Normally, it is visible on ultrasound examination starting from the 5th week of pregnancy.
• The fertilized egg does not have a diameter of the size expected by the gestational age.
• The size of the embryo located in the fertilized egg does not correspond to the gestational age.
• If the period is up to 4 weeks, then deformation is a sign of the death of the fertilized egg.
• The embryo is not visualized at 6–7 weeks.

HCG indicators

• The hCG concentration is below the gestational age determined by ultrasound or during a gynecological examination.
• Over the course of several days, there is a persistent decrease in the hCG hormone in the blood.
• The hCG level increases, but very weakly and is far behind the norm determined by the duration of pregnancy.

To accurately establish the presence of a frozen pregnancy in the first trimester, the signs detected on ultrasound and according to the results of hCG are considered in conjunction with each other.

Symptoms of frozen pregnancy in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters

As the gestational age increases, the child makes its presence felt more and more clearly, so if it dies in the second trimester, the signs of a frozen pregnancy will be equally noticeable both at 16 and 18 weeks. The same can be said about the third trimester.

Since the symptoms of fetal death in both trimesters have much in common, they can be combined into a single list:

1. Sudden cessation of movements for several days.
2. The appearance of nagging pain in the lower back.
3. The appearance of bloody discharge.
4. Discharge from the genital tract amniotic fluid having an unpleasant odor.

Unlike the first trimester, during a long period of pregnancy a woman’s body independently gets rid of an undeveloped pregnancy quite quickly - within a few days.

Factors provoking embryo death

A frozen pregnancy is not without reason. It can occur due to a genetic disorder, hormonal disorders, infectious diseases or due to autoimmune problems. Doctors identify two factors that cause embryo development to stop:

1. Factors that contribute to the development of a potentially defective embryo (genetic mutation).
2. Factors that create conditions that are unfavorable for the development of the embryo (hormonal disorders, infections, autoimmune problems)

The vast majority of pregnancies that fail before 8 weeks die due to genetic mutations. They can be spontaneous, or they can be hereditary.

What diagnosis of a frozen pregnancy will be the most accurate?

The woman’s actions should depend on how the non-developing pregnancy was determined. It happens that doctors make mistakes when diagnosing, so before going for curettage, you need to double-check the doctors’ conclusions.

Diagnosis during gynecological examination

The size of the uterus may not coincide with the gestational age, which the doctor calculated based on the date of the start of the most recent menstruation. If at the same time there is bloody spotting from the genital tract, then the specialist can conclude that the embryo has regressed in development and the fertilized egg has begun to decompose.

It often happens that the period determined by the gynecologist diverges from the actual period of pregnancy by 2, and sometimes by 3 weeks. Bloody discharge can occur for completely different reasons, for example, the fertilized egg began to exfoliate with a living embryo.

Therefore, if a frozen pregnancy is diagnosed only through a gynecological examination, then it is better to double-check the doctor’s findings by visiting an ultrasound room.

Diagnosis using ultrasound

Signs of a frozen pregnancy, for example, at 8 or 10 weeks, are clearly identified during the first ultrasound procedure. But if the period is still short, and does not exceed 5 weeks, then even hardware diagnostics can make a mistake: not visualize the embryo or not notice its heartbeat.

Therefore, in the short term, when determining a lost pregnancy, ultrasound cannot be completely trusted. In this case, you should come back in a week and make a new attempt to identify the presence of vital activity of the embryo.

Diagnosis using hCG

The results of the blood test may not correspond to the expected gestational age. But if blood sampling for hCG was a single one, then it is not informative in determining fetal death.

Only a repeat test, done a few days after the first, can answer the question about the viability of the fertilized egg. There will be even more accuracy if the results of hCG are correlated with the results of ultrasound.

What to do if a frozen pregnancy is detected?

If the child was desired, then its death at any stage of pregnancy would be a tragedy for the mother. But from the moment doctors suspect fetal death, they need to adhere to a certain course of action:

• It is necessary to make sure that the pregnancy is truly dead. To do this, you need to monitor the results of the hCG analysis over time.
• If the embryo died recently, then you can use expectant tactics - perhaps the body itself will reject the fertilized egg. But this should only be done in consultation with a doctor, who will carefully assess all the risks.
• If the embryo died a long time ago, the doctor will prescribe uterine curettage, which is performed in a hospital setting under general anesthesia.

It is necessary to get rid of a frozen pregnancy only under the supervision of medical specialists. Under no circumstances should you self-medicate or try to induce uterine contractions at home using herbal remedies.

Firstly, you can miss time and the fertilized egg decomposing in the uterine cavity will cause serious harm to the woman’s body.

And secondly, inept actions create the risk of partial exit of the embryo from the uterus. Remnants of the membranes may still be present in the woman’s body, contributing to the onset of the inflammatory process.

In addition, self-medication of a frozen pregnancy can provoke severe bleeding, which will require hospitalization to stop.