A frozen pregnancy is a condition of the fetus in which its development stops. The pathology is diagnosed quite often, most of all in the early stages and in women over forty years of age. Of course, besides age, there are many other reasons why a frozen pregnancy occurs. They can be associated both with external influences on a woman’s body and with problems with her health.

Causes and risk factors for frozen pregnancy

Early miscarriage occurs for a number of reasons. Most often they are associated with the health of the mother, but can also be exogenous. Among the reasons that provoke the arrest of fetal development, we list the following:

• consumption of alcohol and nicotine, which negatively affects the body of a woman planning to give birth to a child;
• taking certain medications that can negatively affect the reproductive system;
• previous infectious diseases, especially if they were severe;
• diabetes mellitus;
• sexually transmitted diseases;
• problems with hormonal levels;
• autoimmune attack, when the mother’s body rejects its own cells;
• work in production with the influence of harmful factors;
• antiphospholipid syndrome, as a result of which the blood vessels of the placenta suffer;
• lifting heavy objects;
• stress;
• hereditary factor (several missed pregnancies in the family);
• chromosomal abnormalities in the genetic material of the mother or father.

In addition to the immediate causes leading to missed abortion, there are a number of factors that can provoke this pathology of fetal development. These factors include:

• mother's age over 35 years;
• previous multiple abortions;
• previously diagnosed ectopic pregnancy;
• abnormal development of the genital organs.

According to doctors, in most cases, pregnancy stops developing at the eighth week - this period is the first alarming milestone that mother and child need to survive. During this period, the child is most affected by teratogenic causes, leading to a stop in his development. Also no less turbulent are the periods from the third to the fourth week and from the eighth to the eleventh.

Symptoms of frozen pregnancy

Signs of a frozen pregnancy appear immediately after the development of the fetus stops. Since there is more than one sign, in general a woman may not be able to identify from a whole range of symptoms exactly those that indicate fading of pregnancy in the early stages. Over time, the signs grow more and more, they begin to bother the woman, and she consults a doctor. It would seem that with the fading of pregnancy in the first trimester, a woman should stop having symptoms that she will soon become a mother. However, this is not the case, so at first a woman may not even suspect that the fetus is not developing in her womb.

The reason for such a long period is hormonal levels, because all hormones cannot reach the “pre-pregnancy” norm overnight. It is because of their high concentration that a woman continues to experience deceptive signs that a new life is developing in her body. During potentially dangerous periods, it is worth paying attention to the following symptoms of fetal freezing, which may signal intrauterine death:

These are the main symptoms of fetal growth arrest in early pregnancy. In later stages, a woman may feel a cessation of abdominal growth in size and a stop in fetal movements, but in the early stages this does not manifest itself.
Therefore, to clearly diagnose the health status of the fetus in the first trimester, it is necessary to consult a doctor who will conduct additional studies:

• A blood test for hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is the most indicative test that illustrates the development of pregnancy. When pregnancy fades, gonadotropin levels will either be low or freeze at the level when the fetus died.
• Ultrasound examination helps to diagnose frozen pregnancy at various stages, including in the earliest period.

Recovery after a frozen pregnancy

The most favorable outcome of events during a frozen pregnancy is the independent expulsion of the deceased fetus from the body. Since it is not always possible to determine a frozen pregnancy in the early stages, women only experience unusual menstruation and do not even suspect that they could be pregnant and the development of the fetus has stopped.

In this case, the peeling of the fertilized egg occurs painlessly, and it comes out like normal menstruation. Spotting may persist for some time, and next month your period will begin again unscheduled. As a rule, already from the third month everything returns to normal. Three months from the moment of expulsion of the fetus is the minimum period for recovery of the female body if the fetus froze in the early stages and no complications appeared.

If it is determined that the pregnancy has frozen for up to eight weeks (at this time the woman may already know that she is pregnant), then in this case a medical abortion is performed - after taking the pills, menstruation begins, which helps the dead fertilized egg to come out. After a medical abortion, doctors carefully ensure that the uterine cavity is completely cleared. In the early stages, as a rule, this does not cause problems.

If an ultrasound examination confirms the presence of endometrial remnants, which can provoke a suppurative process, then such endometrium is removed by curettage. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. A frozen fetus older than 8 weeks is also removed in the same way, since the tablets do not cope with the task. Cleaning the uterine cavity is an absolutely necessary procedure during a frozen pregnancy to preserve the health of the mother and further pregnancy. Having recovered after cleansing, a woman can try to get pregnant again.

Doctors advise not to plan a pregnancy before six months. During curettage, the endometrium is seriously damaged, so it will not be able to ensure pregnancy. And only after six months the uterus becomes capable of bearing a healthy baby. Recovery time is very important for a woman so as not to encounter problems with bearing a baby again. During this period, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics, vitamins, and special medications to improve blood circulation.

Physiotherapeutic procedures will help avoid adhesions and inflammation. A few days after curettage, the doctor prescribes hormonal medications to normalize the cycle and recommend oral contraceptives for the first time. When planning the next pregnancy, doctors take into account the fact that there were previously problems with bearing the fetus. The woman undergoes a full range of tests to identify the cause of the pathology and prevent it. It is quite possible to avoid a frozen pregnancy if:

• fully recover from the first failure;
• take hormonal medications to support early fetal development;
• provide the expectant mother with complete peace and absence of stress;
• conduct an examination of dad for possible pathologies.

With proper pregnancy planning, timely consultation with a gynecologist and a positive attitude, pregnancy will definitely occur, and the woman will be able to give birth to a healthy child.

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

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

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

Causes of fetal freezing

Fetal freezing is provoked by many factors, and a confluence of several circumstances is often observed. It is not always possible to establish the exact cause of such a pathology, since after the death of the fetus, tissue necrosis occurs, which makes research quite difficult.

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

The reasons why the fetus stops developing and dies have not been studied enough, but experts identify several main factors:

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

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

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

Why does fetal freezing occur?

It is quite difficult to identify the main reasons why fetal freezing occurs, since several factors can simultaneously lead to this pathology. For example, hormonal imbalances and chromosomal changes in the embryo or infections.

Also, drug use, alcohol, smoking during pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases can cause intrauterine fetal death.

How to provoke fetal freezing?

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

Signs of fetal freezing

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

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

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

At a later date, it can be determined that fetal death has occurred if the child has stopped moving, and severe abdominal pain or bleeding may indicate pathology.

The first signs of fetal freezing

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

At later stages, pathology may be indicated by the fact that the child stops moving. In most cases, when fetal death occurs, the woman experiences a spontaneous miscarriage. But in some cases, a woman can walk around with a dead fetus inside her for several days or even weeks. The fact that the fetus is dead and the decomposition process has begun may be indicated by nagging or severe abdominal pain and bleeding.

Fetal freezing at 8 weeks

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

Fetal freezing at 16 weeks

Fetal death most often occurs up to 13 weeks, however, it happens that the fetus dies in the second trimester. At 16 weeks of pregnancy, the risk of miscarriage is extremely high and several factors may contribute to this.

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

Monitoring the growth of the uterus and ultrasound examinations can detect fading of pregnancy at 16 weeks. Signs of a frozen pregnancy (moving the baby, pain in the lower abdomen, bleeding, etc.) do not always indicate fetal death; only a specialist and ultrasound can confirm this diagnosis.

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

After cleaning, the woman is observed for several days and a full examination is carried out to determine the causes of fetal death.

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

Freezing of one fetus with twins

During a twin pregnancy, the death of one of the embryos occurs once in a thousand pregnancies. Fetal death can occur for various reasons; often one fetus dies due to developmental anomalies, improper blood circulation, developmental disorders of the placenta and umbilical cord. Also, the death of one of the embryos in twins can be facilitated by a mechanical factor, for example, an acute lack of oxygen in a single placenta and one fetal sac.

The death of one of the embryos leads to serious health problems of the second, as well as death. According to statistics, if one of the embryos dies in the first trimester, the probability of normal development and birth of the second reaches 90%. If one fetus stops developing before three weeks, the embryo will completely reabsorb or soften and dry out (“paper fetus”).

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

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

The doctor’s actions directly depend on the period at which the death of one of the children occurred. In the last months of pregnancy, the doctor may decide to perform an emergency delivery, despite the unpreparedness of the living fetus for birth. In this case, for a living child, premature birth poses less of a danger than continued stay with a dead body, and the less time passes from the moment of fetal death to artificial delivery, the better for the second child. With timely detection of a frozen pregnancy, the probability of a successful outcome for a living child is approximately 55%.

To treat pathology in the second trimester, cessation of any relationship between two organisms and blood transfusion to a living fetus is used if delivery is not possible.

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

How to determine fetal freezing?

Fetal freezing can occur without pronounced symptoms. Pathology is identified after visiting a doctor. If there is a suspicion that the pregnancy is fading (the uterus is not of sufficient size, the baby is not moving), then an ultrasound examination is always prescribed for a more accurate diagnosis.

Fetal freezing can also be determined by urine and blood tests, which show deviations from the norm.

Fetal freezing in the early stages

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

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

In most cases, these signs are ignored or attributed by the woman to her new condition. It is possible to detect fading pregnancy after some examinations.

The doctor prescribes an hCG test; if the level of this hormone drops sharply or stops increasing, then pregnancy is expected to falter.

In some cases, an ultrasound examination may show that there is no embryo in the fertilized egg.

Fetal freezing in the second trimester

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

In the second trimester, the main sign of a pregnancy disorder is the lack of fetal movement. At about 18-20 weeks (in those who give birth earlier), the fetus begins to move; if a woman notes that the baby has not moved for more than a day, then this is a good reason for urgently seeking medical attention.

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

Pregnancy miscarriage in the second trimester occurs quite rarely; the main cause of the pathology is severe illness of the mother or genetic disorders. Also, intrauterine fetal death can occur as a result of trauma.

Fetal freezing in late stages

Fetal freezing in later stages can be determined by more pronounced signs. The main symptom of the pathology is lack of movement.

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

• the breasts become softer, not swollen
• severe weakness
• appetite changes (if it was absent before, it appears and vice versa)

The main examination of a woman consists of undergoing an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs, smears to detect diseases, urine and blood tests, an infection test, a thyroid examination, and tests for hormone levels.

Additional research methods are also possible, which the doctor can prescribe based on the woman’s medical history and the individual characteristics of the body.

Fetal death is not a death sentence for a couple dreaming of having a child. In the early stages, embryonic death most often occurs due to a developmental abnormality incompatible with life. In the event of a repeat pregnancy, the likelihood of fading is virtually eliminated. Following a healthy lifestyle by future parents, following doctor’s recommendations, a full examination before planning a pregnancy and treatment of all existing diseases will prevent the development of this pathology.

There are many pathologies that affect the female body during pregnancy. Among them, frozen pregnancy is quite common, when the development of the fetus stops and it dies. This condition can occur for many reasons and under the influence of various negative factors.

What is a frozen pregnancy

In the case of a non-developing or frozen pregnancy, the growth and development of the fetus suddenly stops, which leads to its death. This phenomenon is not accompanied by symptoms of spontaneous abortion, and the embryo does not leave the uterine cavity. This pathology is also known as missed miscarriage. Most often, pregnancy fading occurs in the first trimester. The periods of 3-4, 8-10 and 16-18 weeks are especially dangerous.

The occurrence of an unsuccessful miscarriage and other types of spontaneous termination of pregnancy belongs to the category of miscarriage. Such a condition is defined as habitual if pregnancy terminations occurred two or more times.

The occurrence and development of frozen pregnancy occurs in a certain order. First, the egg is fertilized, then it is transported to the uterus, implanted and developed over a period of time. Then, the development of the embryo suddenly stops. One of the reasons for this condition is considered to be an empty ovum, in which the development of membranes and the synthesis of human chorionic gonadotropin occur. In this case, there is a lack of embryo, although the pregnancy test gives positive results. Sometimes this syndrome occurs due to chromosomal pathologies.

The culprit of a frozen pregnancy is often not only the woman, but also the man. Therefore, both partners are recommended to undergo a full examination at the pregnancy planning stage and switch to a healthy lifestyle. According to medical statistics, this pathology occurs in 15-20% of cases of the total number of pregnancies.

Signs of a frozen pregnancy

The symptoms of this pathology are quite pronounced and make it easy to make an accurate diagnosis. First of all, there is a complete disappearance of signs of pregnancy. However, you should refrain from self-diagnosis and do not panic. If in doubt, you should immediately visit a gynecologist. In the early stages, pathology can only be determined by ultrasound examination.

In the early stages, the main signs of pathology are:

• Disappearance of toxicosis. If a woman has severe toxicosis, then its absence immediately becomes a cause for concern. After feeling unwell, suddenly everything returns to normal, although in terms of timing, this should not happen.
• The pain in the mammary glands goes away, the breasts become softer. As a rule, this condition occurs after the death of the fetus on days 3-5. Women immediately notice this discrepancy.
• The presence of bloody discharge is a clear sign of miscarriage. They appear approximately a few weeks after fetal death occurs. In some cases, slight brown discharge may appear, which then quickly disappears. Many women believe that the situation has returned to normal, but by this time the development of the fetus has already stopped.
• Symptoms of toxicosis may appear, manifested in the form of headache, fever, mild nausea and weakness. In some women, they are observed even after 3-4 weeks after the pregnancy ends. This is due to the release of embryonic decay products into the blood.
• The final diagnosis is established by a gynecologist after examination and identification of the absence of a heartbeat in the fetus, the inappropriate size of the uterus for a given period and a decrease in the level of hCG in the woman’s blood.

Causes of frozen pregnancy

Until now, gynecologists have not established exactly why fetal fading occurs in certain situations. In the first weeks, at a very early stage, the embryo stops developing and dies due to severe developmental defects incompatible with life. In 70% of cases of fading, the influence of genetic disorders is noted.

If the fetus dies after the 14th week, this may be the result of infectious and viral diseases suffered in the early stages of pregnancy. In some cases, fetal death occurs due to abdominal trauma received by the mother from a blow or fall. Situations arise when freezing occurs for no apparent reason, during a normally developing pregnancy. Sometimes this condition can occur several times in a row. In any case, you need to visit a gynecologist and find out the reasons for what happened.

In many cases, cessation of fetal development occurs under the influence of negative factors. First of all, this is smoking when planning pregnancy, alcohol and drugs used by a woman in the early stages of pregnancy. Infections such as herpes, rubella, cytomegalovirus and others, as well as sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea, syphilis or trichomoniasis, have a negative effect.

The development of pregnancy may stop due to serious diseases of the endocrine system, for example, the presence of diabetes mellitus in the mother. A negative role is played by the Rh conflict between mother and fetus, when pregnancy is perceived by the female body as a foreign condition that needs to be gotten rid of as soon as possible. In addition, risk factors include early heavy lifting, exposure to constant stress, numerous previous abortions, and congenital abnormal development of the uterus.

At what stage does a frozen pregnancy occur?

Pregnancy miscarriage most often occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy, but this phenomenon also occurs in later stages. This pathology can appear at any age, but, as a rule, it affects women over forty years of age. One of the forms of fading is considered to be anembryony, when after fertilization the embryo does not develop, although its amniotic membranes are formed.

The risk of miscarriage increases, and the fetus becomes most vulnerable at 3, 4, 8, 9, 11, 16 and 18 weeks of pregnancy. The period of the 8th week, during which vital organs are formed, is especially dangerous. Thus, the greatest danger is posed by the 1st trimester, up to the 8th week inclusive, during which 70% of undeveloped pregnancies remain. The timing of the appearance of a frozen pregnancy is closely related to the causes of its occurrence.

Diagnostics

The basis for the diagnosis of this pathology are certain deviations identified during examination by a gynecologist. As a rule, the size of the uterus remains unchanged and does not increase. There is a discrepancy between the level of beta-hCG and the specific stage of pregnancy. This figure does not double within 72 hours, which is also a noticeable deviation. The most accurate diagnosis is carried out using ultrasound.

Among the main criteria by which the diagnosis is established:

The last two symptoms are determined using transvaginal ultrasound. In addition, diagnostic measures involve conducting a genetic analysis of parents susceptible to recurrent miscarriage. Anticardiolipin antibodies, antilupus antibodies and anticoagulant to antibeta 2 and glycoprotein 1 are determined. The level of thyroid-stimulating hormone is checked, and ovarian reserve is established using measurements of the level of follicle-stimulating hormone carried out on the third day of the cycle.

Structural abnormalities of the uterus are diagnosed by performing hysterosalpingography or sonohysterography. There are other methods that can complement the picture and establish a final diagnosis.

Pregnancy after a frozen pregnancy

After a woman has suffered fetal loss, subsequent attempts to become pregnant are fraught with certain difficulties. Before planning a new pregnancy, it is necessary to wait a period, usually at least a year. The fact is that when removing a dead fetus, scraping was performed, which disrupted the normal state of the tissues. Therefore, a gynecologist can give permission for a new pregnancy only after an examination, during which the condition of the uterine cavity and cervix and the degree of their recovery after the intervention are assessed. A new pregnancy must be planned and prepared to avoid relapse.

Planned activities include histological examination of the fetus and chromosome analysis, gynecological ultrasound and blood tests. Quite often, miscarriage of pregnancy occurs due to sexually transmitted infections, so a course of antibacterial therapy may be prescribed before conception. If sexually transmitted diseases are detected, the partner also undergoes treatment.

If two fetal deaths occur, the subsequent pregnancy should be planned with special care. In this case, the list of studies and analyzes expands significantly. First of all, a general blood test and a clinical urine test are taken. Hormonal and immunological studies are carried out. Antibodies against protozoa and viruses are determined, and bacteriological culture is prescribed. Diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections and blood clotting characteristics are performed. Both partners are recommended to take vitamin complexes and medications containing folic acid. This remedy prevents the occurrence of intrauterine pathologies that negatively affect the viability of the fetus.

What to do during a frozen pregnancy

As a rule, a frozen pregnancy ends in spontaneous miscarriage, which occurs within 14 days after the cessation of fetal development. The reason is a reduced level of placental hormones. But, if the fetus continues to remain in the womb, it is necessary to urgently terminate the pregnancy by medical means. Otherwise, tissue necrosis occurs, the products of which cause inflammation and subsequent intoxication of the body.

The drug method is used in early pregnancy, up to 8 weeks. For this purpose, progesterone antagonist tablets are prescribed. In addition, vaginal administration of a prostaglandin E1 analogue is carried out. After some time, the effect of these drugs leads to miscarriage.

At a later stage, pregnancy is terminated surgically, by curettage of the uterine cavity. This operation is performed under general anesthesia. In the case of a negative Rh factor, the woman is prescribed anti-Rh immunoglobulin after the procedure. Tissues obtained from curettage are sent for histological examination. In some cases, antibiotics and drugs to contract the uterus are prescribed. After 1-2 weeks, the condition of the uterus is assessed using ultrasound control.

Consequences

Every woman after an interrupted pregnancy thinks about the possible consequences, difficulties and problems. Most of them believe that this unsuccessful attempt will negatively affect their ability to become pregnant again. According to experts, fetal freezing very rarely leads to. These cases are considered isolated, due to untimely and improper treatment.

However, pathology has a negative impact on women’s health, primarily on their mental and emotional state. In addition, the physical condition is also impaired in a certain way. All consequences largely depend on how the frozen pregnancy was terminated.

Often the pathological condition is eliminated without cleaning. The main condition for this is timely initiation of treatment, depending on the stage of pregnancy. At the earliest stage, observation is carried out in a standby mode. In this case, the body itself must cope with the frozen fetus and bring it out. This path is considered the easiest for a woman.

If the period is long enough, but does not exceed 8 weeks, the practice is to remove the embryo using a special medication. Such a decision can lead to severe hormonal imbalances and menstrual irregularities. This is due to a sharp drop in hormone levels during pregnancy termination. There are other side effects, so medical abortions are not recommended for all women.

Timely medical care is of great importance. The presence of dead tissue in the uterine cavity can lead to numerous complications and severe intoxication of the body. Uterine bleeding may occur, infectious inflammation and sepsis develop, and reproductive functions are disrupted.

The consequences of scraping are much more serious and dangerous. The membranes may not be completely removed from the uterine cavity. The operation often causes bleeding. As a result of infection, inflammatory processes develop. Taking antibiotics prescribed after curettage leads to disruption of the intestinal microflora. Scars form on the surface of the uterus, which may make it difficult for the fertilized egg to attach in the future.

Treatment

With the final diagnosis of fetal freezing, it is necessary to get rid of the pregnancy as soon as possible. As already noted, in the early stages, termination of a frozen pregnancy occurs through medical abortion using special drugs. The release of the uterus from a dead embryo occurs in the same way as during a normal pregnancy. After about two weeks, a control ultrasound is performed to determine the condition of the uterus and the possible presence of remnants of the fertilized egg. In addition to the main treatment, antibacterial therapy is often prescribed.

In later stages, the frozen fetus is removed by scraping. During the operation, local anesthesia or general anesthesia is used. In the postoperative period, mandatory antibiotic therapy is carried out. After the operation, bloody discharge is observed, which continues for several days.

After the uterus is freed from the remnants of the endometrium, its mucous membrane is gradually restored. In case of heavy bleeding, consult a doctor immediately. After discharge from the hospital, it takes several days to regain good health. Treatment after curettage is carried out on an individual basis. At the same time, an examination is carried out to identify the causes of the pathology. If the examination revealed a disease that caused the death of the fetus, it must be treated.

How to avoid miscarriage in the future

Every woman who has suffered this pathology thinks about how to avoid this in the future. When diagnosed with a frozen pregnancy, doctors recommend undergoing an examination on an individual basis, even at the stage of planning a new conception. In this case, the personal characteristics of the female body and medical history must be taken into account.

Conducting a comprehensive examination reduces the risk of recurrence of the pathology and increases the chances of happy motherhood.

During the period of bearing a baby, every woman worries that the development of the fetus may stop. Unfortunately, this is what happens sometimes. In approximately one out of three cases, a frozen pregnancy is diagnosed after fertilization. Signs in the first trimester may vary. This article will tell you about them. You will learn what causes it in the first trimester, and also find out about methods of diagnosis and treatment.

What is it?

Which ones does it have in the first trimester? Symptoms of the pathology will be described below. To begin with, it’s worth saying what it is.

The fading of pregnancy is the cessation of its progression. The fetus at some stage simply stops developing, but does not undergo a reverse change. As a result, its decomposition and rotting of the masses may begin. This is very dangerous.

Causes of pathology

Why does frozen pregnancy occur in the first trimester or later? Pathology can occur due to certain diseases. Infection with viruses is especially dangerous. These diseases include rubella, influenza, acute respiratory infections, toxoplasmosis and others. Often the fetus undergoes changes that are incompatible with further development due to diseases such as chlamydia, trichomoniasis, mycoplasmosis, and so on. These pathologies are transmitted sexually. That is why we can call it a frequent change of sexual partners.

Various can lead to a frozen pregnancy in the first trimester. Its signs may appear immediately or be hidden for quite a long time. Often, the cessation of embryo development occurs due to previous abortions, diagnostic interventions and other manipulations in the area of ​​the reproductive organ. This also includes congenital or acquired pathologies of other organs and systems. Hormonal levels play an important role in this problem.

Another reason for missed abortion is genetic abnormalities. Often such a fetus dies in the very early stages. At the same time, the woman does not even have time to find out about her new position. In some cases, pathology develops due to external influences. For example, if the expectant mother drinks alcohol, drugs or leads an inappropriate lifestyle.

Frozen pregnancy: signs in the first trimester

The most reliable symptom that the fetus is no longer developing is the absence of a heartbeat. It is worth noting that in the early stages this can only be checked using ultrasound diagnostics. Over long periods of time, such manipulation can be performed using a special sensor or cardiotocography apparatus.

During the study, the specialist always compares the expected term and size of the embryo. Much attention is paid to the fertilized egg. The examination is also carried out on the area of ​​the corpus luteum. A frozen pregnancy in the first trimester has the following signs according to ultrasound:

• discrepancy between the size and timing of pregnancy;
• in some cases the embryo is completely absent;
• contraction of the heart muscle is not detected;
• Additional defects are established (absence of the corpus luteum, presence of detachment, and so on).

It is worth noting that without ultrasound diagnostics it is impossible to talk about these signs. It is this method of examination that is considered the most reliable in making the described diagnosis. Let's look at what other signs a frozen pregnancy has in the first trimester.

Painful sensations in the abdomen

Up to 70 percent of missed pregnancies are accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen. They develop due to the fact that the body tries to independently reject the pathological. This is how the human self-preservation system works. Pain occurs when the production of certain hormones stops. The uterus becomes more sensitive and begins to contract, the cervical canal slightly changes its position and expands. A woman may experience an unpleasant pulling sensation in the lower abdomen or feel severe cramping pain. Each situation is individual and does not depend on the stage of pregnancy.

It is worth saying that such sensations often arise when there is a threat of interruption. If a woman’s body does not produce enough certain hormones, as well as under the influence of other factors, contraction of the reproductive organ may begin. This process can be reversed in the early stages. You just need to take the appropriate medications and follow the doctor’s instructions. This is why it is so important to seek help from a doctor if pain in the lower abdomen occurs in the earliest stages and later.

Discharge from the genital tract of various types

What other signs does a frozen pregnancy have in the first trimester? A symptom of the development of pathology can be called vaginal discharge. During pregnancy, especially in the early stages, their number increases. This is considered the norm. However, the color of such a liquid should be transparent or milky. Impurities of blood, pus and other substances are recognized as pathology. They should be a reason to immediately consult a doctor.

Bloody discharge may indicate that the process of rejection of the fertilized egg has already begun. As a result, small capillaries are damaged. When bleeding becomes severe, we may be talking about a progressive spontaneous miscarriage. In the presence of purulent discharge, there may be a suspicion that the fetus died quite a long time ago, and the process of its decomposition has already begun. It is worth noting that, as in the previous paragraph, these signs can only indicate a threat of miscarriage. The sooner you seek help from a gynecologist, the greater the chance of saving the child.

Sensations in the mammary glands

What other signs does a frozen pregnancy have? Symptoms of pathology can manifest themselves in the form of disappearance of soreness and sensitivity of the mammary glands.

Under the influence of the pregnancy hormone (progesterone), the process of preparation for breastfeeding begins immediately after fertilization. The mammary glands will undergo changes throughout pregnancy. First, the breasts become larger and become especially sensitive. Some women even experience pain. All these signs persist until approximately 12 - 16 weeks. This is when the placenta begins to work. A sudden disappearance of breast sensitivity may indicate that there has been a stop in the development of the fetus.

Toxicosis and its absence

What are the signs of a frozen pregnancy in the first trimester? A photo of the embryo is presented to your attention in the article.

Most expectant mothers experience toxicosis. It appears within a few weeks after fertilization and can be more or less strong. The reliable reasons for this condition still cannot be stated.

An abrupt cessation of severe toxicosis may indicate that the pregnancy has stalled. This sign is indirect, but, like all those described above, it requires additional diagnostics and confirmation. It is worth saying that some expectant mothers do not experience such sensations at all. They successfully endure the first stages of pregnancy. This does not mean at all that there is a risk of a frozen pregnancy.

Basal body temperature

What are the signs of a frozen pregnancy in the first trimester? The causes of the pathology have already become known to you. Another symptom of the problem is a decrease in high basal temperature. If you have observed the work of your body in this way, you may notice that immediately after ovulation the level of the thermometer readings increases. After fertilization and implantation, it can become even taller. Thus, the average basal temperature in expectant mothers is 37 - 37.2 degrees. If the graph line suddenly drops to 36 - 36.5 degrees, then we can talk about a frozen pregnancy.

It is worth noting that this sign can only be checked by those women who have previously conducted appropriate observations. The initial measurement in most cases turns out to be unreliable, because you will have nothing to compare with.

Fever

Another sign of a frozen pregnancy is an increase in body temperature. It occurs due to the fact that the fetus in the uterus begins to gradually decompose. It is worth noting that this symptom appears over a long period of time. This can be very dangerous for a woman.

If you have a high temperature, and also have the additional symptoms described above, then you should immediately run to the hospital, or better yet, call an ambulance. The slightest delay during sepsis can lead to the death of a woman.

How to find out about a frozen pregnancy before an ultrasound?

If you have any suspicions, only an ultrasound examination can confirm them. Any indirect signs cannot be a reason for making a diagnosis, remember this.

There are studies that can help you find out about the problem before diagnosis. This is a blood test. During the study, the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin in your blood is determined. The results are checked against generally accepted standards. Based on this, you can judge whether your actual deadline matches the expected one. For a more accurate diagnosis, it is recommended to conduct the study several times with a break of three or five days.

Frozen pregnancy in the first trimester: treatment

If you find out about the presence of this pathology, it must be eliminated as soon as possible. In most cases, gynecological curettage is performed. For short periods of time, it is possible to use other methods of cleansing the uterus, for example, medical abortion or In some situations, when abortion begins (bleeding), doctors choose expectant management. If complete cleansing of the uterus does not occur within a few days, the patient is offered a cleaning. What are the consequences of a frozen pregnancy in the first trimester?

In most cases, the pathology does not in any way affect the patient’s future life and fertility. Only in particularly severe cases can we talk about acquired infertility. Usually, a representative of the fairer sex is capable of a new pregnancy within 3 to 6 months after the incident. Often, after the manipulation, a woman is prescribed medications to correct the condition. These can be antibiotics, immunomodulators, agents for restoring microflora, and so on.

Instead of the conclusion of the article, or a short summary

You have learned what causes a frozen pregnancy in the first trimester. This is a very unpleasant phenomenon. This is especially difficult for those women who have been wanting to give birth to a baby for a long time, but nothing works out for them. If the situation with a frozen pregnancy is repeated more than twice, then the fairer sex, like her partner, is advised to consult a hematologist and geneticist. In such situations, it is worth starting a full examination and finding the reason why conception occurs, but the embryo at some stage simply stops developing. I wish you good health and success!

A frozen or full-blown pregnancy is the intrauterine death of the fetus, which does not manifest itself with obvious signs of miscarriage. The pathological condition occurs before the 28th week of gestation. Most often, pregnancy loss occurs in the early stages in the first trimester before the 16th week of the child’s development. The period before is especially dangerous, when the organs and systems of the embryo are being laid, and the placenta has not yet been formed. After diagnosing a frozen pregnancy, the embryo is removed from the woman’s uterus. In some cases, spontaneous abortion occurs.

Symptoms of frozen pregnancy in the early stages

The danger of an undeveloped pregnancy in the early stages of development is that the pathology can occur without clinical manifestations. The retention of a dead embryo in the uterus leads to the gradual decomposition of its tissues. Toxic decomposition products are absorbed into the woman’s blood, causing poisoning of the body and the development of severe complications.

Obvious clinical signs can occur 6-7 weeks after the death of the fetus, which indicate a disruption in the functioning of the woman’s body. A frozen pregnancy in the later stages in the 2nd trimester is detected faster - fetal movement stops, which should alert the woman. Doctors warn that a planned visit to a gynecologist can eliminate not only the development of intoxication and other undesirable consequences in a pregnant woman, but in some cases also prevent the death of the fetus.

Clinical signs of a non-developing pregnancy, if they appear, are rather weak. A woman may not attach any importance to this. It is necessary to know the symptoms of intrauterine fetal death in the early stages in order to respond in a timely manner and visit a doctor at the antenatal clinic, where the pregnant woman is registered at the dispensary.

Symptoms of a frozen pregnancy:

If complications arise due to poisoning of the body by toxic products of decomposition of fetal tissues, obvious clinical signs arise.

1. Fever up to 40 degrees.
2. Chills, increased sweating.
3. Headaches.
4. Intense pain in the lower abdomen.
5. Constant nausea, repeated.
6. Uterine, nasal, internal bleeding.

Long-term intoxication can lead to the development of sepsis (bacteremia, general infection of the body) and DIC syndrome (impaired blood clotting, massive bleeding).

Signs of a frozen pregnancy in the early stages

A gynecologist can diagnose a non-developing pregnancy based on specific signs that are characteristic of intrauterine fetal death. The specialist also prescribes additional examination methods that confirm the disappointing verdict. Only after contacting the antenatal clinic will it be possible to say with confidence that the embryo died and the pregnancy stopped developing. Before visiting a specialist, you should not draw premature conclusions.

You can suspect a frozen pregnancy at home by changes. To do this, you need to measure the temperature in the rectum with a thermometer in the morning after sleep, without getting out of bed. The female sex hormone is responsible for maintaining pregnancy, which causes an increase of 0.3-0.5 degrees.

The normal course of intrauterine pregnancy corresponds to a temperature in the rectum at the level of 37.2-37.5 degrees. A decrease in this indicator indicates a disruption in the course of pregnancy and possible fetal death. It must be remembered that a low indicator is not an absolute sign of a frozen pregnancy. If a basal symptom is detected, you should consult a gynecologist.

At the appointment, the doctor collects the woman’s complaints, conducts an examination, including in a gynecological chair, and prescribes laboratory and instrumental examination methods. In the early stages of gestation, the most informative is ultrasound diagnosis of the embryo and laboratory analysis to determine the concentration (human chorionic gonadotropin) in the peripheral blood.

Causes of frozen pregnancy

In most cases, it is possible to identify the cause of a non-developing pregnancy and, with further planning of conception, undergo a course of preventive treatment. Sometimes doctors cannot determine the cause of intrauterine fetal death. This does not cause concern when such a pathology occurs once. Repeated miscarriage indicates a severe pathology in a woman’s body, which requires careful examination and adequate therapy. According to statistics, intrauterine fetal death is rare and does not have a common character - for every 200 normally occurring pregnancies, there is one case of embryo death in the womb.

Causes of frozen pregnancy.

Habitual miscarriage is often caused by a combination of several unfavorable factors. Identifying the cause of pathology is an important link in planning pregnancy and giving birth to a healthy child.

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

A non-developing pregnancy is detected in the early stages using laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods. Before scheduling an examination, a gynecological examination of the pregnant woman is performed.

1. Examination on a gynecological chair - allows you to determine the condition of the cervix and the correspondence of the size of the uterus to the period of pregnancy. If discrepancies or pathological changes are detected, ultrasound diagnostics is prescribed.
2. Ultrasound examination of the uterus and fetus is the most accurate method for detecting intrauterine fetal death in the early stages of development. Signs of a frozen pregnancy: uneven contours and deformation of the fertilized egg, localization of the embryo in the lower parts of the uterine cavity. If the result is questionable, a repeat ultrasound examination is performed after 5-7 days. Stopping the growth of the ovum or poor visualization of the embryo indicates a non-developing pregnancy.
3. A blood test is an effective method for diagnosing intrauterine fetal death in the earliest stages of pregnancy (up to 8-10 weeks), when an ultrasound examination is not informative. In the first weeks of pregnancy, hormone levels double every 24-48 hours. The absence of an increase in the blood or a decrease to a content of 5 mIU/ml (typical for non-pregnant women and men) speaks in favor of intrauterine fetal death. In some cases, the membranes of the fetal egg are formed and synthesized, but the embryo does not develop - hormone levels will give a false negative result and diagnosis becomes ineffective.

A gynecologist is responsible for prescribing a method for diagnosing a frozen pregnancy and interpreting the examination results. The specialist will correctly assess the risk of pregnancy pathology and determine treatment tactics.

What to do if a frozen pregnancy is detected?

After confirmation of a frozen pregnancy, the dead embryo is removed from the uterine cavity. In some cases, the body independently rejects the fetus during a spontaneous abortion. In the event of a failed miscarriage, the pregnant woman is prescribed medical procedures and surgical interventions that are aimed at removing the embryo and its membranes.

Methods for terminating a non-developing pregnancy.

1. Medication – intravenous administration of drugs that increase the tone of the uterus and cause contractions. The embryo leaves the uterine cavity naturally through the cervix and vagina.
2. Curettage is cleaning of the uterine cavity with special surgical instruments. It is carried out under anesthesia. The cervix is ​​dilated, then instruments are inserted into the organ cavity. The embryo and the inner lining of the uterus are scraped out. The technique is dangerous due to the development of complications: bleeding, inflammation, infertility. This method cannot be considered gentle in the early stages of pregnancy and is prescribed if other methods are contraindicated.
3. Vacuum aspiration is a gentle surgical intervention using vacuum suction. Used for abortion in early pregnancy. The tip of a vacuum apparatus is inserted into the cervix without the use of dilators and the contents of the organ are sucked under pressure, removing the embryo and mucous membrane.

After terminating a frozen pregnancy, a woman should be under the supervision of a gynecologist. Outpatient or inpatient treatment is carried out depending on the type of relief from the burden, the general condition of the woman, and the risk of complications. Therapy includes broad-spectrum antibiotics, hemostatic agents, and vitamins. It is recommended to refrain from planning conception for six months.

To identify the cause of intrauterine fetal death, the uterine mucosa (endometrium) and embryonic tissue are taken for histological examination. If chromosomal abnormalities are detected, genetic counseling of parents is prescribed to establish compatibility. It is necessary to test a woman’s blood for hormonal levels, analyze a smear for flora and the presence of sexually transmitted infections. Identifying the cause of a missed abortion makes it possible to prevent intrauterine fetal death during further maternity planning.

A frozen pregnancy is a tragic event in a woman’s life, but not a death sentence. By identifying the cause of the pathology, it is possible to prevent the death of the embryo, preserve the vital activity of the fetus throughout the entire period of development, and give birth to a healthy child.