Pregnancy is a very important period in the life of any woman. Having learned about her interesting situation, the woman begins to make new plans for the future related to the prospect of having a child. Everything seems to be going normally and the pregnancy is already at an advanced stage, and suddenly she receives an unexpected, inherently terrible message that there is no longer a pregnancy, and such a long-awaited and already dearly beloved baby has died without being born

After a long period of depression and nervous stress, painful questions begin to arise: what led to such a terrible event as frozen pregnancy? Why did the pregnancy stop?

Was it possible to prevent this?

Let's look at the answer to these questions.

At its core, frozen (frozen), or non-developing pregnancy is one of the types of miscarriage.

At first everything goes according to plan. The embryo formed as a result of successful fertilization reaches the uterus and is implanted. However, at a certain stage its development stops.

Despite the fact that the fetus no longer develops, immediate termination of pregnancy, which is accompanied by detachment of the fertilized egg and its removal from the uterus, may not occur.

Therefore, during this period, all the signs of a developing pregnancy continue to persist: the uterus continues to increase in size, human chorionic gonadotropin is present in the blood - a kind of indicator of pregnancy, in addition, there are subjective sensations characteristic of pregnancy. All signs persist until placental abruption occurs.

With placental abruption, all objective and subjective signs of pregnancy gradually disappear.

One of the options for a frozen pregnancy can be considered a case in which the embryo does not even develop; instead, only extra-embryonic organs are formed, which are called fetal membranes.

This is the so-called “empty fertilized egg”.

What do they consist of? causes of missed abortion?

Modern medicine is not yet able to give a final answer regarding the entire complex of reasons leading to the “fading” of pregnancy. However, almost everyone agrees that very often pregnancy stops developing due to serious genetic disorders.

Autoimmune disorders, especially the so-called antiphospholipid syndrome, also play an important role. First, let's look at the medical encyclopedia.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a complex of disorders associated with the formation of antibodies in the body to some of its own phospholipids. Phospholipids are universal components of membranes (i.e., membranes) of cells and some cellular structures, therefore the clinical manifestations of these disorders are very diverse, or, as doctors say, systemic. One of the manifestations of APS is the formation of blood clots in the smallest vessels - capillaries, at the level of which oxygen and nutrients are exchanged between blood and tissues. The formation of such microthrombi during pregnancy can lead to necrosis (destruction) of part of the placenta, disruption of placental blood flow, and even fetal death. The role of APS in the formation of non-developing pregnancy, intrauterine growth retardation, and even fetal death in the second and third trimesters has been proven.

Agree that for a person ignorant of medicine, such an explanation will raise more questions than it will answer. Let's try to explain all this in a more accessible language.

Also, the death of the embryo can be caused by hormonal disorders and various infectious diseases of the genitals. And of course, the risk group includes women who abuse alcohol, use drugs, and smoke.

Symptoms/signs of frozen pregnancy

It is almost impossible to determine a frozen pregnancy on your own. The expectant mother may feel symptoms such as nausea or cravings disappear, but this does not mean that the pregnancy has stopped progressing. The diagnosis of frozen pregnancy can only be made by a doctor based on examinations. Upon examination, the gynecologist notes a lag in the size of the uterus from the expected gestational age. But the main method for determining a frozen pregnancy is ultrasound. In some cases, a diagnosis of anembryonia is made, i.e. an empty fertilized egg (absence of an embryo), therefore pregnancy cannot develop. Absence of heartbeat is also a sign of a frozen pregnancy.

One of the tests based on which a doctor can detect a frozen pregnancy is to stop and reduce the level of hCG in the blood.

But still, a woman can observe some symptoms of a frozen pregnancy herself.

This is a deterioration in health, an increase in temperature above normal levels for pregnant women (37-37.5), chills, nagging pain in the lumbar region and lower abdomen, a decrease in the abdomen in volume, and lack of fetal movement.

But these signs may not appear immediately; they may appear only 5-7 days after pregnancy freezes at any stage.

But don’t panic right away; if such symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor.

How do doctors diagnose frozen pregnancy?

Often, a non-developing pregnancy is determined during a routine ultrasound. Doctors immediately pay attention to the discrepancy between the expected gestational age and the size of the embryo, as well as the absence of a heartbeat.

Also, during the process of placental abruption, bloody discharge and periodic pain in the lower abdomen may appear.

When conducting blood tests for hCG, it is necessary to remember that the beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the blood serum tends to persist for two to three weeks, so even after the death of the fetus, a positive test result is likely.

What should you do if you discover a frozen pregnancy?

After pregnancy fades, the decay products of the tissues of the dead fertilized egg begin to be absorbed into the blood, which leads to poisoning of the mother’s body.

If these processes continue for more than four weeks, disturbances in the blood coagulation system occur. Tissue thromboplastin enters the mother's bloodstream, which can cause thrombotic complications and bleeding.

In addition, inflammation of the uterus may develop.

Therefore, if a frozen pregnancy is detected, there is no need to wait until the pregnancy ends spontaneously.

The dead fetus and its membranes must be immediately removed from the uterine cavity.

The embryo is removed by curettage of the uterine cavity or using vacuum aspiration

The operation is performed under general anesthesia.

In preparation for surgery, women are tested for blood clotting and blood Rh is also determined.

How to properly prepare for the next pregnancy after a frozen pregnancy?

At the very beginning, you should conduct a thorough analysis and try to identify the reasons that led to the death of the embryo.

It should be noted that most often cases of embryo death in the early stages of pregnancy are caused by severe developmental defects.

Therefore, to identify infectious diseases that could cause the death of the embryo, a histological examination of tissues obtained by curettage of the uterine cavity is carried out. Also, both partners are required to undergo examination for infectious diseases of the genital organs.

Using cytogenetic examination of fetal egg tissue, the presence of genetic abnormalities can be determined. The complex of treatment measures also includes a study of the woman’s hormonal and immune status.

If a woman had a case frozen pregnancy, then she should abstain from further pregnancy for 6-12 months. This is what doctors advise.

At this time, you need to intensively prepare your body for a new pregnancy: get examined, treat any detected disorders, eat well, take a multivitamin complex, and completely give up bad habits.

The main thing is to be optimistic. There is no need to blame anyone for what happened. This, as they say, will not help grief, but will only lead to even greater disappointment and the development of depressive states. It is necessary to take into account the fact that a non-developing pregnancy is a kind of one of the factors of natural selection, with the help of which the birth of a terminally ill person is prevented. A frozen pregnancy is not a death sentence. This does not mean that you will not have children in the future.

It is rather a signal indicating the need for more thorough and thoughtful preparation for this event.

“This is the second time in a row this has happened to me! - a girl cries at an appointment with an obstetrician-gynecologist. – Six months ago the pregnancy froze at 11 weeks, now it’s generally 6-7. What is wrong with me? My husband and I really want a child..."

Doctors calculated the periods at which the embryo is most vulnerable: 3-4, 8-11 and 16-18 weeks. It is at this time that the likelihood of miscarriage and frozen pregnancy is high. This is the time of laying the vital organs of the future baby and changes in the mother’s body.

Culprit 1: hormonal imbalances

The woman's endocrine system undergoes the most significant changes in the first trimester of pregnancy. The production of maternal hormones is influenced by the hormones of the placenta and fetus. From the moment of conception, the amount of female sex hormones in the body increases: progesterone and estrogen, and not only their presence is important, but also their balance.

So one of the hormonal causes of missed abortion and spontaneous abortion is a lack of progesterone, without which the embryo cannot “settle” firmly in the uterus. In approximately 20% of women, the level of male sex hormones increases during pregnancy - this is the second possible reason for pregnancy loss.

These disorders can be predicted by analyzing hormonal status even before pregnancy and treatment can be started in advance.

Culprit 2: genetic disorders

Genetic abnormalities of the fetus manifest themselves quite early, many of them are incompatible with life. Genetic “breakdowns” are inherited by the embryo from both the mother and the father, or arise from an unsuccessful combination of parental genes. It is believed that if the second, third or more pregnancies in a row fail, genetics is to blame. However, doctors find it difficult to say with accuracy.

Culprit 3: infections

Pregnancy is a state of immunosuppression, suppression of the immune system. Otherwise, how could the mother’s body come to terms with the appearance of a “stranger” on its territory, half of whose genetic information is completely different? The immune system would immediately react with serious aggression to such a “semi-compatible transplant”, and the baby would have a hard time.

But nature has provided for everything - the child is reliably protected from the attack of antibodies by the placenta and fetal membranes. On the other hand, the pregnancy hormone - human chorionic gonadotropin (the same one from which the second line appears on the express test) powerfully suppresses immunological attacks on the part of the mother's body. Hormones of the placenta, corpus luteum, adrenal glands and the fetus itself act in approximately the same way. The baby feels good, but the mother turns out to be vulnerable to various infections.

All infectious diseases become aggravated in pregnant women. The “local” harmless flora, having gained freedom, multiplies beyond measure, causing a lot of problems. The vaginal flora is activated, and there is a danger of intrauterine infection of the fetus. In this sense, mycoplasmosis, ureaplasmosis, chlamydia and all sexually transmitted diseases (gonorrhea, syphilis, etc.) are unfavorable.

Irreversible changes and multiple malformations are caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV) and rubella virus. However, infection with them is dangerous only during pregnancy; an “old” infection, on the contrary, creates a stimulus for the production of IgG antibodies and prevents the exacerbation of the disease. But IgM antibodies are a sign of a “fresh” infection and a cause for serious concern. I don’t want to scare you, but getting rubella in the first trimester of pregnancy is a mandatory indication for its termination. Cytomegalovirus is less aggressive, but is much more often the cause of undeveloped pregnancy.

Another danger is the flu epidemic. In pregnant women, a common ARVI is difficult because the immune system is working at half capacity. Moreover, the danger comes not so much from the pathogen itself, but from general symptoms: intoxication, increased temperature, which leads to disturbances in blood flow in the “mother-placenta-fetus” system. The embryo lacks oxygen and nutrients and may die. Therefore, during seasonal outbreaks of influenza, pregnant women are recommended to be vaccinated with a polyvalent killed vaccine.

Culprit 4: poor lifestyle

Doctors say: in favorable conditions, pregnancy, as a rule, proceeds without complications and is easily tolerated. With the right regime, there is no need to make significant adjustments. Now show me a woman living in the right mode...

A frozen pregnancy often comes from stress and overexertion. The baby is unlikely to like it if the mother spends a full working day in a stuffy room, staring at the computer, and gets up from her chair only to drink a couple of cups of coffee and brew Doshirak for lunch. Such conditions can contribute to various complications, for example, early placental abruption, and lead the uterus to a state of increased tone. Both interfere with blood flow, and the unborn child receives little oxygen and nutrients.

Pregnancy, especially its first trimester, is a reason to take care of yourself and even pamper yourself. It is recommended to spend no more than an hour a day on public transport. Nervous shocks are generally contraindicated. You need healthy food, a lot of fresh air and positive emotions, moderate mental and physical activity, preferably in the form of walks and simple exercises.

According to labor laws, pregnant women cannot be involved in night work, overtime work, work involving lifting and moving heavy objects, vibration, exposure to high and low temperatures, noise, radiation and certain chemicals. Healthy sleep of eight or more hours a day is important. Standing for more than three hours a day is not recommended. .

Traveling abroad is also not without risk. Firstly, if something unexpected happens, a foreign country will not provide full medical care. Secondly, long-distance flights and especially moving, time zone changes, an unusual diet and climate change require a lot of effort from the body and can cause damage. The fetus in the early stages does not tolerate acclimatization well, and this can also cause a non-developing pregnancy.

Autoimmune disorders

Autoimmune processes are those when antibodies are formed not to foreign agents (bacteria and viruses), but to the body’s own cells. During pregnancy, these antibodies can also affect the fetus, which leads to its death.

Quite often, the cause of repeated regressive pregnancies is antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). In this case, antibodies are formed to their own phospholipids, which are involved in the formation of cell walls. Before pregnancy, this syndrome may not manifest itself in any way. APS can be suspected in case of repeated regressing pregnancies. The examination includes both an analysis specifically for APS markers and an analysis for blood clotting (with APS, coagulation increases, which leads to the formation of microthrombi, including in the vessels of the placenta, which leads to malnutrition of the fetus, and in the absence of treatment to his death).

Often it is not possible to determine the exact cause of regression, but usually with repeated regressions, a detailed examination still helps to identify it.

Necessary examinations after a regressing pregnancy

The minimum examinations after a regressing pregnancy include:

Ultrasound of the pelvic organs;

Blood test for hormones (usually a test for sex hormones, a test for other hormones is given if there are any symptoms indicating a possible disruption of the hormone-producing organs);

Analysis for infections;

Spermogram (the child has two parents; the reasons for a regressive pregnancy can be found not only in the mother).

This list can be significantly expanded depending on the specific situation; it should be individual for each woman, depending on the results of a general examination, the nature of menstrual function, heredity, and the presence of any diseases in the past or present.

For repeated regressing pregnancies, the examination is more detailed. An examination for antiphospholipid syndrome and a study of the karyotype (set of chromosomes) of the father and mother are required.

What to do next

Of course, all women who have undergone such a test as “regressive pregnancy” are concerned about the possibility of a favorable pregnancy outcome in the future. The probability of this is quite high, as mentioned above, pregnancy regression often occurs due to the “accidental” influence of some factor, an unfortunate combination of circumstances. And this will never happen again in the future. In some countries abroad, after one regression, a detailed examination is not even recommended, and they resort to it only after repeated regressing pregnancies, since 80-90% of patients after a single regression of pregnancy normally carry a pregnancy to term in the future.

However, I think everyone will agree with me that it is better to avoid repeated regressions. Therefore, you need to be examined, and if any violations are detected, treated. Be sure to get rid of infections whenever possible. When hormonal and autoimmune disorders are detected, therapy is most effective if started at the planning stage, and not during pregnancy.

You can plan your next pregnancy no earlier than in six months. This time is necessary for the uterine mucosa and hormonal levels in the body to recover. During this period, it is recommended to take oral contraceptives, as they not only have a contraceptive effect, but also help the body recover from hormonal stress, regulate ovarian function and restore the menstrual cycle.

When planning your next pregnancy, it is important to eat right, get plenty of vitamins (from food or in the form of multivitamin complexes), and lead a healthy lifestyle. This will help the body protect the baby from negative environmental influences during pregnancy.

Don't underestimate the role of bad habits. If “a friend smoked throughout her pregnancy and nothing”, “a neighbor drinks and nothing”, this does not mean that these factors are not harmful to the fetus. The body will be able to protect some, but not others, so the number of harmful factors should be limited as much as possible. Yes, we will not be able to protect the future baby from everything, but we must limit the amount of harmful influences as much as possible.

Without a doubt, a frozen pregnancy is a psychological trauma for a woman, so if you are tormented by obsessive thoughts that you will not be able to have children at all, you are setting yourself up for failure, you should consult a psychotherapist. The role of psychological factors during pregnancy is recognized by most doctors.

I wish everyone a successful pregnancy and the birth of healthy babies!!!

A frozen pregnancy can develop as a result of many reasons. Most often, the fetus freezes in the later stages, and this happens due to the fact that the pregnant woman’s body has been exposed to various infections (flu, rubella, hepatitis) or the expectant mother suffers from chronic diseases such as heart disease, diseases of the endocrine glands, or the fetus has abnormalities that are incompatible with his life. Also, this pathology can develop in the body due to mercury vapor, lead, and aniline compounds.

Also in gynecological practice, there are cases of fetal freezing during multiple pregnancies, when triplets first develop, and then one embryo dies and exists in a frozen state in the mother’s stomach; it is removed at the time of birth. However, such a situation is fraught with complications, threatening the life of the mother and the surviving fetus. Therefore, doctors closely monitor the health of the pregnant woman and the development of the fetus.

In case of distress, artificial labor is instituted. In the early stages, in ninety percent of cases, such pregnancies end in spontaneous abortion. If this does not happen, then doctors perform curettage, vacuum extraction, or induce an abortion. In any case, it is impossible to self-medicate or cause a miscarriage on your own during a frozen pregnancy; this is fraught with further infertility or the development of inflammatory diseases in the uterine cavity.

A frozen pregnancy is the intrauterine death of a fetus that occurs before 20 weeks of pregnancy. Since a frozen fetus during pregnancy is sooner or later rejected, the inevitable consequence of a frozen pregnancy is a miscarriage or spontaneous abortion.

How often does frozen pregnancy occur?

According to world statistics, every second pregnancy “freezes” and ends in spontaneous abortion. In the vast majority of cases, this happens even before the woman finds out that she is pregnant.

The risk of a frozen pregnancy after the second line shows is about 15-20%

An increased risk of frozen pregnancy is observed in women over 35-40 years of age, as well as in women who have already had a frozen pregnancy once.

At what stage can a frozen pregnancy occur?

The fetus can “freeze” at any stage, but in the vast majority of cases of frozen pregnancy, this occurs in the early stages (before the 13th week of pregnancy). Frozen pregnancy in the later stages (closer to the 20th week of pregnancy) occurs much less frequently.

The longer the pregnancy, the lower the risk that it will be terminated. So, for example, the risk of a frozen pregnancy at 9 weeks will be higher than the same risk at 10-12 weeks, etc.

Why does frozen pregnancy occur?

Every woman who is faced with the problem of a frozen pregnancy asks the question why this happened to her. There are a number of possible causes of missed abortion, but the cause of each concurrent case often cannot be determined.

So, the most common causes of missed abortion are:

• Chromosomal or genetic errors

In most cases, the cause of a missed abortion in the early stages is an “error” in the development of the embryo. It is in the first weeks of pregnancy that the most important processes in the formation of internal organs occur, and therefore even a small mistake can lead to the death of the embryo. Problems with chromosomes or genes can occur even if both parents are completely healthy.

As a rule, if the embryo has serious chromosomal or genetic abnormalities, a frozen pregnancy occurs between 2-4 and 7-8 weeks. However, with some abnormalities, the fetus can remain viable much longer, in which case a frozen pregnancy can occur between 13 and 20 weeks.

• Anembryony (anembryonic pregnancy)

Sometimes in the early stages of pregnancy, the cells responsible for the development of the embryo stop dividing, but the cells responsible for the formation of the future placenta continue to multiply. This condition also applies to frozen pregnancy. At the same time, a frozen pregnancy at 5 weeks can already be determined using ultrasound.

In this case, on an ultrasound, the doctor will see the fertilized egg, but the embryo will not be visible inside it. The absence of an embryo in the fetal sac (empty fertilized sac or empty fertilized egg) is called anembryony in medicine. An anembryonic pregnancy sooner or later ends in miscarriage.

• Pathologies of the uterus

The normal position, structure, size and shape of the uterus are extremely important for maintaining pregnancy. Underdevelopment of the uterus (“baby uterus”), bicornuate uterus, septum in the uterus can cause a frozen pregnancy in the second trimester of pregnancy (from 12 to 20 weeks). For example, a frozen pregnancy at 14 weeks can be caused by structural pathology uterus.

• Taking certain medications

Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.), birth control pills and other hormonal drugs in the early stages of pregnancy can provoke a frozen pregnancy at 4-5 weeks or even earlier.

• Chemical vapor intoxication

Women who are forced to inhale fumes from certain chemicals (formaldehyde, benzene, ethylene oxide, anesthesia gases) are at increased risk of miscarriage. In this case, a frozen pregnancy can occur at any time in the range from 4 to 20 weeks.

• Chronic diseases in pregnant women

Severe chronic diseases of the kidneys, heart, liver, as well as disorders of the hematopoietic system (anemia) can cause missed abortion in the early and late stages of pregnancy.

• Multiple pregnancy

Despite the fact that in most cases, pregnancies with twins or triplets result in the birth of healthy children, the risk of frozen pregnancy in the case of multiple pregnancies is slightly higher than in women carrying one child.

• Pregnancy with IVF

For reasons still unknown, pregnancies achieved through in vitro fertilization (IVF) often “freeze.” If this happens, then usually a frozen pregnancy is detected already in the first trimester (up to 9-12 weeks of pregnancy).

How to recognize a frozen pregnancy?

Many pregnant women are concerned about how to determine a frozen pregnancy. The insidiousness of this condition lies in the fact that it is often asymptomatic: several days, and sometimes several weeks, can pass from fetal death to miscarriage.

What are the first signs of a frozen pregnancy? You may suspect that your pregnancy is no longer progressing if you experience the following symptoms of a missed abortion:

• Came from the vagina
• Pain in the back or lower abdomen
• If symptoms of toxicosis (nausea, vomiting, dizziness, etc.) suddenly stop
• During a frozen pregnancy, breasts may stop hurting
• Body temperature during a frozen pregnancy usually remains within the normal range, but during inflammatory processes it can rise to 37.5C ​​or higher

The signs of a frozen pregnancy listed above are not reliable and can occur during a normally developing pregnancy, as well as during pregnancy. Therefore, if you have the warning signs listed above, you need to see a doctor and undergo an examination to clarify the diagnosis. The diagnosis of a frozen pregnancy is never made solely by the presence of the symptoms listed above.

What will a pregnancy test show?

Many women who suspect they have a frozen pregnancy run to the pharmacy for a test. Will the test show a frozen pregnancy or is it a waste of money?

Frozen pregnancy is characterized by a sudden stop in fetal development in the early stages of gestation under the influence of both internal and external factors. As a rule, this condition develops in the 1st trimester of pregnancy, before the 12th obstetric week.

The fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus, and all the signs of pregnancy appear: delayed menstruation, a significant increase in the size of the uterus, toxicosis, the breasts become more sensitive, and there is an increase and darkening of the areolas.

At what stage is a frozen pregnancy possible?

Stopping the development of the embryo can occur at any stage, but doctors recommend paying special attention to the signs of frozen pregnancy in the early stages, i.e. up to 14 weeks. The second trimester of pregnancy is, of course, considered no less dangerous and if signs of a frozen pregnancy are detected, you should consult a doctor.

What is the danger?

A pregnant woman makes an irreparable mistake by not coming to see a doctor on time and not paying attention to the manifestations of signs of a frozen pregnancy, both in the early stages and in the second trimester. In rare cases, the pregnant woman’s body itself rejects the frozen fetus - the process ends in a miscarriage and a successful outcome for the woman’s health. After all, if a frozen fetus is in the womb for a long time, then intoxication may develop with an increase in temperature, severe pain and weakness.

Such symptoms require urgent hospitalization, where the doctor will prescribe a special drug that will provoke uterine contractions and lead to miscarriage. The sooner this procedure is carried out, the better for the woman herself.

A fertilized egg, remaining in the uterus for more than 6-7 weeks, can lead to disseminated intravascular coagulation - DIC syndrome, which is extremely life-threatening. With this diagnosis, the blood loses its ability to activate the clotting process, then possible bleeding can become fatal.

What are the signs of a frozen pregnancy?

The danger is that fetal death may not be detected for a long time and may be asymptomatic for a pregnant woman. Problems with detecting a frozen pregnancy do not arise if the expectant mother regularly undergoes tests and goes to see a doctor. It is he who can ascertain the fact of discrepancy in the size of the uterus, taking into account the duration of pregnancy, and an ultrasound check will allow you to accurately find out about the heartbeat of the embryo.

In general, in all trimesters, frozen pregnancy manifests itself in the same way:

• frequent discharge with blood;
• general weakness, chills and internal trembling;
• temperature increase;
• nagging and aching pain in the lower abdomen;
• causeless cessation of toxicosis;
• stopping breast enlargement;
• An ultrasound examination confirms the fact that the child’s heartbeat has stopped;
• discrepancy in the size of the uterus.

There are exceptions when the symptoms of a frozen pregnancy may have some differences.

Signs of frozen pregnancy in the first trimester

When fetal development stops in the early stages, basal temperature often drops. The signs of a frozen pregnancy at 6 weeks are, in principle, no different from the signs of a frozen pregnancy at 14 weeks.

Signs of a frozen pregnancy in the second trimester

Stopping fetal development in this period has the only addition - the cessation of fetal movement. The signs of a frozen pregnancy at 16, 18 and 19 weeks are absolutely the same.

Reasons for stopping embryo development

Doctors themselves sometimes cannot give an exact answer: “What causes a frozen pregnancy in the early stages or in the second trimester?” But the main reasons may be the following:

Genetic failure This is the most common reason why fetal development stops. In 70% of women, fetal death occurs before 8 weeks, which is due to chromosome abnormalities in the fetus. Anomalies in genetics begin to appear quite early, and almost all of them are incompatible with life. Bad genetics can be passed on from both mother and father, or an unsuccessful combination of parental genes is to blame. If a woman’s fetus fails more than three times, then a genetic disorder is to blame.

Hormonal disorder can affect the course of pregnancy for two reasons:

• the first reason for fetal death is a lack of progesterone, without it it cannot survive and develop in the uterus;
• The second reason for the development of frozen pregnancy in the first trimester is an excess of male hormones androgens.

It is advisable to identify hormonal disorders before pregnancy and undergo a full course of treatment. It is recommended to visit a gynecologist in advance, because only after an examination will he be able to tell what tests are needed.

Infections. When pregnancy occurs, the expectant mother's immunity weakens. The placenta and membranes reliably protect the fetus from antibody attack, but the mother herself becomes vulnerable to various viruses and bacteria. Her infectious diseases worsen, the vaginal flora becomes more active, and then a dangerous moment comes for the baby - infection.

Cytomegalovirus and rubella have harmful effects. Moreover, they are dangerous if you become infected with them during pregnancy, and in case of a “recovered” infection, on the contrary, antibodies are produced that prevent the exacerbation of the disease.

No less dangerous for the formation of a frozen pregnancy is considered to be a common acute respiratory viral infection, which most often occurs very severely, since the immune system works at half strength. The danger itself comes not from the pathogen, but from the symptoms of the disease: fever and intoxication, which leads to disruption of the circulatory system. The fetus does not receive the required amount of nutrients and oxygen.

This is the reason for the development of frozen pregnancy, the signs of which may appear or may be hidden.

Bleeding disorders, which are caused by antiphospholipid syndrome, also affect fetal development.
Frozen pregnancy often occurs for several reasons:

• due to the direct effect of antiphospholipid antibodies on the egg, which interferes with the implantation of the fertilized egg;
• the formation of blood vessels in the placenta decreases and, as a result, its functions decrease;
• signs of a frozen pregnancy at 6 weeks may occur due to disruption of the full development of the fetus and the placenta itself. The reason for this is blockage and damage to the uteroplacental vessels.

Wrong lifestyle leads to a frozen pregnancy, and the first signs may appear immediately.

Incorrect and inadequate nutrition, insufficient walks in the fresh air, tight clothes, spending a long time in front of a computer monitor - these are the factors that directly affect the development of the fetus.

Lead a healthy lifestyle, visit your gynecologist regularly, get all tests done while planning a child, and then you won’t be afraid of a frozen pregnancy.

Reply

Frozen pregnancy occurs in women of all ages. A similar problem arises when numerous factors and circumstances come together. You can prevent a frozen pregnancy by following the advice of your gynecologist and taking care of your health even at the planning stages of conceiving a child.

In addition, every woman planning to become a mother should know the signs of fetal fading. Of course, you shouldn’t think about this problem all the time and try to find signs of fading pregnancy.

In fact, such a pathology does not occur very often. According to statistics from medical workers, for every 176 cases of normal pregnancies there is only one case. But still, if you know the symptoms of fetal death, you will be able to control your condition.

What is a frozen pregnancy?

Frozen pregnancy is a pathology of pregnancy development, the danger of which most expectant mothers have no idea. A frozen (or not developing) pregnancy is the cessation of development and growth of the fetus, its complete death. It can occur at all stages of pregnancy. The most common miscarriage occurs in the first trimester. Further developments can provoke inflammatory processes in the woman’s body and other unpleasant consequences. A frozen pregnancy, the causes of which may not be obvious, can definitely pose a serious danger to the future offspring. Signs of a frozen pregnancy can appear both in the earliest and later stages.

However, of course, the symptoms of a frozen pregnancy in the second trimester are radically different from the symptoms in the early stages of pregnancy.

How to detect a frozen pregnancy in time?

The development and proper growth of the fetus at each stage of pregnancy depends on many explicit and implicit factors. Sometimes a certain combination of circumstances can lead to a halt in the development of the embryo and its death. This phenomenon is called frozen pregnancy. The symptoms of a frozen pregnancy are quite accurate; diagnosis by doctors does not cause difficulties.

The most important symptom, of course, is that the signs of developing pregnancy disappear. However, you should not diagnose yourself. If you have any suspicions or signs of a frozen pregnancy, consult a doctor immediately. He will conduct an examination and ultrasound, after which the picture of the course of pregnancy will become clear: whether there are symptoms of a frozen fetus.

At what stage does a frozen pregnancy occur?

Knowing how a frozen pregnancy manifests itself, a woman can consult a doctor in time and begin immediate treatment. Typically, this anomaly appears in the very early stages of pregnancy. Symptoms of frozen pregnancy in later stages differ from those that occur in earlier stages. At the same time, the expectant mother feels great: she has no pain or the slightest discomfort, toxicosis disappears, and a large appetite appears. But the life of the future person inside her has already frozen, and she doesn’t even know about it. Meanwhile, if your pregnancy symptoms disappear, you need to urgently consult a doctor.

Frozen pregnancy - symptoms

Often, the first symptoms of a frozen pregnancy in the early stages can be identified only at the next scheduled examination by a gynecologist. And this can happen several weeks after the problem occurs, since a frozen pregnancy appears barely noticeable, without obvious signs. And then it turns out that the fetus’s heartbeat cannot be heard, its development has stopped. For any mother, this terrible diagnosis is a tragedy. It is difficult to imagine the grief overwhelming her upon realizing the disaster that had happened.

Symptoms of frozen pregnancy in early and late stages:

A frozen pregnancy in the early stages is often not accompanied by any obvious signs. The first “bell” that may indicate problems may be the sudden cessation of toxicosis, provided that it manifested itself in a woman. In addition, all obvious symptoms that indicate the presence of pregnancy disappear: a decrease in basal temperature, pain in the mammary glands. As a rule, a woman who is in early pregnancy may not attach importance to these symptoms.

Late-term frozen pregnancy manifests itself in different ways. This may include bloody discharge and pain in the lower abdomen. Such symptoms indicate the possibility of miscarriage due to detachment of the fertilized egg. Signs of a frozen pregnancy in the later stages do not go unnoticed by women. A frozen pregnancy in the later stages is also characterized by the cessation of the baby's movements.

Unfortunately, even experienced gynecologists do not undertake to say how to accurately determine a frozen pregnancy at home. A woman's belly may become larger than before, and blood tests may indicate pregnancy. But, alas, it is not the fetus that develops, but the empty membrane inside.

Causes of frozen pregnancy in the early stages and later stages of fetal development

There are many reasons for missed abortion: hormonal disorders in a woman’s body, chromosomal disorders in the fetus, chronic infections, acute infectious diseases, etc. However, the most common and common causes of this disease are the expectant mother’s abuse of alcohol, cigarettes or drugs, as well as such typical diseases as like herpes, chlamydia, toxoplasmosis, etc.

Of course, if a woman who knows the dangers of a frozen pregnancy wants to have a child, she will try to eliminate all these causes of a frozen pregnancy in the early stages. Of course, in order to exclude the possibility of a frozen pregnancy, you should be attentive to the slightest changes during pregnancy. With this approach, signs of an anomaly appear quite clearly. An attentive mother will notice that the fetus has stopped moving and will pay attention to rare bleeding and mild pain in the lower abdomen.

Signs of a frozen pregnancy in the second trimester are much more pronounced, so the diagnosis is always accurate. If you suspect a disease, you should immediately consult a doctor for a thorough examination.
The doctor will not only assist you in emergency delivery, but will also determine the causes of missed abortion in the later stages. Knowing the cause of the tragedy, you can try to avoid it in the future.

How to avoid a frozen pregnancy?

Diagnostics

A pregnancy that does not develop normally can be diagnosed in the following ways: during an examination by a gynecologist, a frozen pregnancy, the signs of which are reflected in the size of the uterus, can be fairly accurately diagnosed.

The size of the uterus should be normal for the current month of pregnancy. On ultrasound (ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs), frozen pregnancy is manifested by the absence of a fetal heartbeat, as well as anembryony. Anembryonia is a disorder in which the fertilized egg is completely empty and does not contain an embryo.

A hormonal blood test can also diagnose this pathology. Frozen pregnancy, the signs of which are manifested in a blood test by a stop or decrease in the normal developing growth of pregnancy hormone numbers. Those. There is a deviation from the indicators characteristic of a normal pregnancy.

Consequences of a frozen pregnancy

Almost all women who have experienced such a shock are wondering what to do after a missed pregnancy and whether it is possible to have children in the future.

A frozen pregnancy, the consequences of which are mostly uncomplicated, does not always indicate a woman’s inability to have children. In most cases, the reasons for pregnancy failure in the early stages remain a mystery even to doctors. As a rule, the overwhelming number of women give birth to full-fledged and healthy children. A frozen pregnancy, the cause of which, as a rule, is random and depends on many factors, does not mean a woman’s complete inability to have children in the future.

If such cases are repeated repeatedly, then a frozen pregnancy, the treatment of which requires a full examination of both members of the couple, may indicate an inability to bear a child. Signs of a frozen pregnancy in the early stages are quite difficult to identify. This is due to the fact that the signs of a normal pregnancy at such a time are different for all women. However, the fact that a frozen pregnancy is a heavy burden on both a woman’s physical health and her psychological state is an indisputable fact.

Therefore, after appropriate treatment, the woman will need some time to recover. It is better to start thinking about a child after three or six months. It is very important to undergo an appropriate examination by a doctor to determine possible abnormalities and prevent another frozen pregnancy. During this time, you should take care of the health of both partners: do not drink alcohol, stop smoking, take enough vitamins. In addition, we should not forget about the psychological factor: the expectant mother who has suffered such a complication may need the help of a specialist in order to overcome fears and worries and give birth to a healthy and full-fledged baby in the future.

What to do after discovering a frozen pregnancy?

A frozen pregnancy, treatment of which must begin after a final diagnosis is made, usually leads to a miscarriage. If a frozen pregnancy is detected, the doctor can choose the following treatment options:

• Wait until a miscarriage occurs. This will become the natural course of this pathology due to a decrease in placental hormones.
• For up to eight weeks, the doctor may prescribe special medications that will cause a miscarriage.
• The specialist may also prescribe surgical intervention - curettage of the uterine cavity. After curettage for a frozen pregnancy, antibacterial therapy is carried out. After two weeks, an ultrasound scan is required to assess postoperative recovery.

Many women are concerned about the question: how long can you walk with a frozen pregnancy? Gynecologists do not give a clear answer. It could be a week, or two, or a month. This is why it is so important to visit a doctor promptly.

Recovery and treatment after a frozen pregnancy

Treatment after a frozen pregnancy begins with an examination of the mother and father to prevent a recurrence of the situation in the future. Both spouses are tested for sex hormones and thyroid hormones, which undergo a thorough examination. This will help to identify and eliminate the causes that provoked the appearance of the pathology. Further, to prevent the woman’s body, treatment includes careful contraception and a nutritious diet containing multivitamins. These measures strengthen the body and prepare the woman for future pregnancy.

How to avoid frozen pregnancy in the future?

Mothers who have suffered from this disease think about how to avoid frozen pregnancy in the future in the first stages of pregnancy planning. Experts recommend that women after a frozen pregnancy be sure to consult a doctor and undergo an individual examination. The plan for such an examination is drawn up based on the personal characteristics of the woman’s body and the history of her illness. But still, the main standard diagnostic examinations, which are indicated for absolutely all women during the period of recovery from a missed abortion and planning for reconception, are:

• Ultrasound (ultrasound examination) of all pelvic organs
• a blood test that will show autoantibody and homocysteine ​​levels
• identification of possible urogenital diseases (smears)
• examination of the thyroid gland and determination of its hormonal level in the blood
• ToRHC complex (detection of infections that pose a danger to pregnant women)

Such measures are extremely necessary, since preventing a missed abortion helps reduce the risk of a recurrence of the tragedy and increases your chances of becoming a happy mother.

To summarize, it must be said that spouses planning to have a child must understand how a frozen pregnancy manifests itself, how to avoid it and treat it. This will make it possible to timely eliminate causes unfavorable for pregnancy, as well as detect symptoms of the disease and take measures that will increase the likelihood of adverse consequences of a frozen pregnancy.

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