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 pregnancy that begins successfully does not always end in a positive outcome. In medical practice, the most dangerous period of time when carrying a child is considered the first trimester, during which various complications can arise, leading to the death of the fetus.

Frozen pregnancy is a pathology in which the fetus stops growing and developing and dies in the womb. Sometimes this complication ends in spontaneous miscarriage. However, quite often the dead embryo remains in the uterine cavity, which can cause inflammation, and if the process worsens, sepsis is a serious infectious disease in which microorganisms circulate in the blood.

10 signs of a frozen pregnancy

No toxicosis

The cessation of morning sickness and vomiting is a sign of frozen pregnancy in the first trimester. However, women do not always pay attention to this phenomenon, because they believe that the unpleasant symptoms have simply gone away and the body has adapted to the birth of a child. As a rule, toxicosis during a frozen pregnancy ends very abruptly. Typically, this symptom does not appear immediately after the death of the fetus, but after several days or even weeks.

Returning breasts to their pre-conception condition

The absence of swelling of the mammary glands and hyperpigmentation of the nipples is another sign of a frozen pregnancy. These changes in the chest are also drastic. In addition, signs of a frozen pregnancy include a one-time cessation of colostrum secretion, if it was secreted previously.

Decrease in basal temperature

If a pregnant woman monitors her pregnancy, then if it decreases, a frozen pregnancy can be suspected. If the fetus dies, the thermometer displays a temperature of less than 37 degrees Celsius (usually 36.4-36.9). However, based on this sign of a frozen pregnancy in the first trimester, it is impossible to accurately diagnose, since there may be an incorrect measurement or thermometer error.

Appearance of pain

The appearance of menstrual pain in the lower abdomen may indicate a missed pregnancy. However, this symptom appears after a long period of time, sometimes up to several weeks after the death of the embryo. On the contrary, nagging pain in the lower abdomen, accompanied by bloody discharge, more often speaks of.

Pathological vaginal discharge

The appearance of spotting vaginal discharge streaked with blood or red in color may be a symptom of a frozen pregnancy. But much more often, this sign indicates the onset of a spontaneous miscarriage.

Increased body temperature

If there is an infectious process in the uterus due to the disintegration of a dead fetus, a woman experiences an increase in body temperature to subfebrile values ​​(up to 38 degrees). However, if this process begins to be systemic in nature, hyperthermia to very high values ​​(40-41 degrees) and a general serious condition of the woman’s body are possible.

Frozen pregnancy is not a rare complication and can occur in a completely healthy woman, so when making this diagnosis you should not despair too much, since the probability of the next successful pregnancy and subsequent birth is 80-90%.

Lack of drowsiness, fatigue

When progesterone decreases due to fetal death, its effect on the woman’s body decreases. She loses her feeling of fatigue and drowsiness. This sign of a frozen pregnancy is extremely unreliable, however, if there are other symptoms, the woman should be examined.

No increase in hCG

During a frozen pregnancy, human chorionic gonadotropin stops increasing after the death of the fetus, and then it begins to decrease altogether. Therefore, if you suspect this pathology, you should monitor the dynamics of hCG by taking a repeat test after 2-3 days.

Gynecological examination

During the examination, the obstetrician-gynecologist measures the volume of the uterus. During a frozen pregnancy, there is a lag in size, which can serve as a diagnostic criterion for pathology. However, this sign cannot be used in the first weeks of gestation, since at this time the volume of the uterus is practically no different from its dimensions before conception.

Ultrasound

During an ultrasound examination, the doctor may detect a frozen pregnancy. This method is considered the “gold” standard for diagnosing this pathology. The absence of heartbeats and a lag in fetal size are the main symptoms of a frozen pregnancy during ultrasound.

Behavior during frozen pregnancy

If subjective symptoms of a frozen pregnancy appear, you should immediately consult a doctor for a thorough diagnosis. If this diagnosis is confirmed using a blood test for hCG and ultrasound, measures are taken to remove the embryo from the uterine cavity.

Sometimes doctors take a wait-and-see approach, the goal of which is the spontaneous onset of miscarriage. When this does not happen, or the fetus died long ago and there is a possibility of infection of the uterus, an abortion is performed. If the pregnancy is less than 8 weeks, artificial miscarriage can be used using.

At short stages of gestation, it is possible to use vacuum aspiration, the safest method of surgical abortion. In later weeks of pregnancy, cleaning the uterine cavity is used. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia, and the resulting materials are sent for histological examination.

Risk group

A frozen pregnancy can occur in any woman, even a completely healthy woman. It is usually associated with congenital abnormalities of the embryo that are incompatible with life, or due to increased emotional and physical stress. The risk group for this pathology includes those with an untreated sexually transmitted infection, as well as those who have a history of abortion or recurrent miscarriage. In addition, the chances of developing a frozen pregnancy are increased in persons with somatic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction and thyrotoxicosis.

It is important for the expectant mother to carefully study the signs of a frozen pregnancy in the early stages in order to seek medical help in time. Women of all ages face this pathology. The older the pregnant woman, the greater the risk of anembryonia. According to statistics, on average, in 15% of cases the death of the embryo occurs.

Why does the fetus freeze in the early stages of pregnancy?

This pathology does not occur without reason. It is provoked by certain factors. There are suggestions that frozen pregnancy in the early stages, the causes of which should be determined to prevent this in the future, may occur in the following cases:

1. Genetic mutations are the most common factor. This pathology appears before the 8th week of gestation. More often it is incompatible with later life.
2. Hormonal disorders. These include a lack of progesterone and an increase in the level of androgens - male hormones.
3. Infections. During the period of carrying a baby, the body of the expectant mother is highly susceptible to viruses. The amniotic sac and placenta protect the embryo. However, this “armor” does not help with exacerbation of infections. In addition, at high temperatures that accompany infectious diseases, oxygen delivery to the fetus deteriorates.
4. Problems with blood clotting. The fertilized egg is not able to attach to the inside of the uterus. In addition, this pathology provokes blockage of blood vessels; as a result, the embryo does not receive the required amount of valuable substances, and it stops developing.
5. Unbalanced diet and unhealthy lifestyle. These include a diet poor in vitamins, excessive stress, constant exposure to the computer or TV, irregular walks, and so on.

How to determine a frozen pregnancy in the early stages?

The death of the embryo at the initial stage may be asymptomatic. However, there are still a number of signs that eloquently indicate to a woman that a problem has arisen. It is important for her to know how a frozen pregnancy manifests itself in the early stages. This will help prevent serious consequences for the mother's health. Neglecting such symptoms is unwise and even dangerous.

The first signs of a frozen pregnancy in the early stages

There are a number of symptoms, the manifestation of which should make a woman wary. The body itself will tell you how to recognize a frozen pregnancy in the early stages. The expectant mother should pay special attention to the following symptoms:

1. Sudden disappearance of toxicosis. If early gestosis occurs suddenly and without cause, it’s time to sound the alarm.
2. Softening the breasts. After conception, women notice that the mammary glands have become enlarged and painful. During the entire period of gestation, baby breasts can relax and become fuller. There is nothing unnatural in such alternation, because it is associated with hormonal “jumps” in the body. However, if the mammary glands relax in the 1st trimester of pregnancy, this may be a sign of fetal fading. There are other “provocateurs” of breast softening. For this reason, you should not panic when this symptom appears.

Discharge from frozen pregnancy in the early stages

If the body does not immediately get rid of the dead fertilized egg, its rejection will occur gradually. A frozen pregnancy in the early stages will show symptoms in the form of vaginal discharge. The consistency of the secretion and its shade directly depend on how much time has passed since the death of the fetus. Signs of a frozen pregnancy in the early stages are:

1. The first 2 days after the death of the embryo, the consistency of the secretion is normal. They have a whitish color.
2. Starting from the 3rd to the 6th day, the fertilized egg gradually begins to peel off from the walls of the uterus. As a result, bloody streaks appear in the discharge.
3. 12-14 days after the death of the embryo, the secretion acquires a brownish-reddish tint.

More often, pregnant women turn to a gynecologist when they notice red discharge - signs of fetal fading. This process is irreversible, and it is no longer possible to correct anything. However, bloody discharge does not always indicate that the development of the embryo has stopped. They can also signal another pathology occurring in a woman’s body.

Feelings of a frozen pregnancy in the early stages

At the initial stage, the woman feels as before. However, as decomposition progresses, the signs of fetal failure in early pregnancy intensify. Along with the disappearance of toxicosis and softening of the mammary glands, severe headaches appear. In addition, the pregnant woman is overcome by weakness and lack of strength. A month after the death of the embryo, severe cramping pain appears in the lower abdomen.

BT for frozen pregnancy in the early stages

Some women continue to control even after fertilization. During normal gestation, the thermometer should show 37°C. However, the temperature during a frozen pregnancy in the early stages decreases. This symptom is the earliest sign of fetal death. It appears as follows:

• after 46-48 hours the temperature drops to 36.8°C and remains at this level for a couple of days;
• after 4 days BT is 36.7°C;
• when the fertilized egg begins to rapidly decompose, an inflammatory process occurs in the female body with a sharp “jump” in temperature.

Frozen pregnancy - diagnosis

Women go to the doctor with complaints of nagging pain or bleeding. The doctor conducts a thorough examination, allowing him to detect fetal freezing in the early stages. During it, the doctor compares the size of the pregnant woman’s uterus with what it should be at a given stage of gestation. In addition, the doctor prescribes additional tests: and testing for hCG. Based on the results obtained, he will either confirm the death of the fetus or refute it.

HCG for frozen pregnancy in the early stages

This hormone begins to be produced intensively after the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine cavity. To determine its indicator, blood is donated in the morning on an empty stomach or in the afternoon (you can’t eat anything 4-5 hours before). With normal development of the embryo, the level of the hormone in the blood increases daily. However, hCG decreases during frozen pregnancy. If the fetus dies, this is reflected in the hormone levels as follows:

• the concentration of hCG in a woman’s blood is much lower than it should be at this stage of gestation;
• During the control test, a decrease in the hormone level is noted.

In some cases, hCG may even increase, but its level still remains below normal. Gynecologists believe that the “behavior” of this hormone does not yet confirm anembryonia. Signs of a frozen pregnancy in the early stages should be taken into account as a whole. For this reason, growth disturbance is only one of the symptoms. To obtain a reliable picture, the doctor will prescribe other diagnostic procedures.

Ultrasound of a frozen pregnancy in the early stages

This procedure gives reliable results in determining anembryonia. If a frozen pregnancy is suspected, an ultrasound will show the following results:

1. The size of the fertilized egg does not correspond to the norm (much smaller).
2. Not “visible” (after the 5th week of gestation it should be clearly visible).
3. The size of the embryo is smaller than it should be at this stage of pregnancy.
4. After the 4th week of gestation, a sign of anembryonia is deformation of the fertilized egg.

Frozen pregnancy - what to do?

If the doctor’s assumptions about the death of the embryo are confirmed, he develops a further plan of action. Removal of the fertilized egg from a woman’s body can be carried out as follows:

• prescribing medications that provoke miscarriage;
• scraping;
• wait-and-see position - after the death of the fetus, the amount of progesterone decreases, which can cause spontaneous miscarriage.

More often, a frozen ectopic pregnancy in the early stages is “interrupted” by curettage. This mini-operation is performed under anesthesia. Curettage allows you to completely remove the fertilized egg. However, this procedure has contraindications. Scraping is prohibited:

• for genital infections;
• in case of exacerbation of chronic diseases;
• for bacterial infections that attack the woman’s body.

Recovery after early miscarriage

The rehabilitation period after curettage can last several weeks. It is important for a woman to strictly follow the doctor’s recommendations:

1. It is necessary to take antibacterial drugs.
2. After curettage, you need to remain in bed. Physical activity can cause bleeding.
3. Since there may be intense discharge in the first 2 weeks after a mini-surgery, you need to use pads. The use of tampons during this period is prohibited!
4. You need to abstain from sex for at least 2 weeks.
5. If a frozen pregnancy is “aborted” at an early stage, severe pain in the lower abdomen persists. You don’t need to endure them heroically; you can take a painkiller.
6. It is necessary to take care of reliable contraception. Plan your next pregnancy at least 6 months later, or even later. By that time, the woman’s body should recover.

Frozen early pregnancy - consequences

If the death of the embryo is detected in time, complications for the woman’s health can be avoided. Otherwise, sepsis is even possible. The risk that pregnancy after a frozen pregnancy will be associated with the same problems still remains:

1. If anembryonia occurs for the first time in a woman, the probability of its recurrence is up to 25%.
2. After the 2nd pathological pregnancy, the risk that the problem will recur is about 35%. For this reason, the expectant mother should carefully monitor the signs of a frozen pregnancy in the early stages.
3. If anembryonia occurs for the third time, the chance of embryo death increases to 40%.

How to avoid frozen pregnancy in the early stages?

It is possible to prevent anembryonia. First you need to figure out why pregnancy stalls in the early stages. Also, expectant parents need to undergo a full examination before conceiving. A woman needs to undergo a smear test for vaginal flora and be tested for TORCH infections. The threat of fetal death will be minimized if destructive habits are abandoned in advance. Folic acid will help you bear a healthy baby. Signs of a frozen pregnancy in late or early stages are inextricably linked with a woman’s diet (it must be healthy).

The death of an unborn baby is one of the most terrible experiences for a family. More often, such grief occurs in the early stages, before 18 weeks of pregnancy, but even after this time the risk is not completely eliminated.

There are many reasons for the development of this pathology and almost no one is immune from fetal death. Although it cannot be completely prevented, you can try to reduce the likelihood of its development.

Causes of frozen pregnancy

The reasons why the fetus freezes are not fully understood. This is due to their huge number and the fact that often the death of the embryo is provoked by several factors at once. In addition, a lot of time often passes between the moment of freezing, the detection of pathology and the extraction of biomaterial, and researchers are unable to establish the exact cause of what happened.

Most often, severe chromosomal abnormalities of the fetus lead to the freezing of the embryo and its subsequent expulsion from the uterus.

In this way, our body gets rid of a non-viable organism. And the death of a genetically normal embryo can be provoked by:

• Hormonal imbalances. Most often, progesterone deficiency, which occurs against the background of disturbances in the functioning of the ovaries, leads to such a disastrous outcome. Deviations from normal levels of thyroid hormones also have a negative impact.
• Immunological factor. Since genetically the embryo is only half “native” to the woman, and the second part of its genes is from the father, the future mother’s body can consider it a foreign body and destroy it with the help of specific antibodies.
• Autoimmune disorders and antiphospholipid syndrome. This pathology causes fetal freezing in almost 5% of cases. With each subsequent pregnancy, the risks increase.
• Infectious diseases. , mycoplasmosis, chlamydia and other diseases that can exist asymptomatically in a woman’s body for years, often become more active during pregnancy due to a temporary decrease in immunity and negatively affect the development of the embryo. Primary infection with rubella and any sexually transmitted diseases are also dangerous.

There are other reasons that can provoke fetal fading. But their negative impact has not been fully proven and is poorly studied. These risk factors include:

• Severe stress;
• Abuse of medications, in particular antidepressants;
• Smoking, drinking alcohol and drugs;
• Frequent air travel;
• Weight lifting;
• Abuse of the beach and solarium.

It is difficult to determine the exact cause of fetal death, as well as to prevent it.

Typically, the risk group for this pathology includes women over 35 years of age, with a large number of births or numerous miscarriages in history, with congenital anomalies of the uterus.

But absolutely healthy young women without chronic diseases and other problems are not immune from the loss of their unborn baby.

Symptoms of fetal freezing

It is not easy to recognize fetal freezing on your own, since the symptoms are usually mild. In addition, they vary greatly depending on the stage of pregnancy. But it is necessary to know the main signs in order to increase the chances of timely diagnosis of the pathology.

Symptoms of frozen pregnancy in the early stages

Only those women who monitor their well-being very closely can notice the first signs of embryo death. They may note:

• Disappearance of breast swelling and pain;
• Stopping morning sickness;
• Fatigue and weakness;
• Decrease in basal temperature.

After the baby begins to move in the womb, it is necessary to monitor its activity. Its decrease or cessation is a dangerous signal.

This is one of the signs of fading pregnancy. A woman may also notice that:

• The mammary glands become softer;
• The state of health worsens, weakness and asthenia appear;
• The feeling of heaviness intensifies in the lower abdomen.
• Appetite changes.

If there are any dangerous signs, you should immediately consult a doctor. In the longer term, it will be enough for him to listen to the baby’s heartbeat to suspect problems. But in the first weeks of pregnancy, when the heart is not yet heard, it is more difficult to diagnose freezing. To do this, an examination is carried out and a urine or blood test for hCG is prescribed.

It should be noted that after the death of the embryo, the level of hCG in the urine may remain within normal limits for several more weeks. Therefore, this indicator must be observed in dynamics, tracking its growth or decline.

The most accurate data is provided by ultrasound examination. The main ultrasound signs of impending termination of pregnancy:

• Slowing of the fetal heart rate (measured from 7 weeks);
• Discrepancy between the sizes of the fetal sac and embryo;
• Enlargement and deformation of the yolk sac;
• The presence of hemorrhages at the site of embryo implantation.

Even ultrasound data does not provide 100% accurate information about the viability of the fetus. Usually a repeat study is prescribed after 3-7 days to monitor the dynamics.

How to prevent fading?

Unfortunately, it will not be possible to completely prevent the cessation of pregnancy, since not all of its causes have been studied and not everything is yet within the power of doctors. But still, some steps can be taken, namely:

• Monitor your sexual health and regularly visit a gynecologist;
• At the planning stage, undergo examinations for genetic abnormalities (both parents);
• Get all necessary vaccinations in advance, especially against rubella;
• During pregnancy, try to have less contact with sources of infection;
• Eliminate bad habits;
• Take medications only under medical supervision if absolutely necessary.
• Limit exposure to the sun and solarium, visiting saunas and air travel;
• Try to remain calm.

If the trouble has not passed you by and the fetus still froze, you should not despair. The likelihood of pregnancy fading again is low. As soon as your body recovers, you can start planning again.