Missed pregnancy: causes, first signs, diagnosis and treatment

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

One of the grave tragedies in the life of every woman is considered a missed pregnancy. This phenomenon is far from uncommon, despite the observance of all recommendations by the gynecologist. Awareness of the interrupted life of a baby in the womb can cause depression in failed parents.

Medical certificate

Missed pregnancy is an anomaly that leads to the death of the fetus or embryo. It can be designated as a failed miscarriage, because tissue death is not accompanied by symptoms characteristic of spontaneous abortion. If we turn to the statistics, the numbers do not look intimidating. For every 180 cases of he althy gestation in the womb, there is only one, ending in fading. The frequency of abortion for this reason is 15-20%.

Missed pregnancy is not selective. This unpleasant diagnosis can be heard by both a large couple and parents who are expecting their first child. However, it is impossible to have a child with an existing subconscious fear of losing him again. Protect the baby and your own psychologic althe mood is possible if you plan correctly and follow the recommendations of the gynecologist. In addition, the expectant mother should know the first signs of fetal fading in order to immediately respond to the problem in case of danger. We will dwell on these issues in more detail in today's article.

Features of pathogenesis

Initially, nothing bodes ill. After successful fertilization, the embryo enters the uterus, where it is fixed on its loose surface. However, for a number of reasons, the program for the further development of a new life fails, and the fetus stops growing.

Immediate miscarriage does not occur, so the picture of a normal pregnancy still persists for some time. In the blood, hCG levels increase exponentially, the uterus grows, and the woman herself intuitively feels her interesting position. These false signs persist until placental abruption. After it, all manifestations begin to fade away.

Sometimes the embryo after a successful conception is not formed at all. In this case, only the fetal membranes appear in the uterus. A similar phenomenon is considered to be a special case of missed pregnancy.

Why does the fetus stop growing?

Gynecologists cannot unambiguously identify the exact causes of fetal fading. In the first weeks, pathology, as a rule, occurs due to severe malformations in the embryo that are incompatible with life. The genetic causes of missed pregnancy are diagnosed in 70% of cases.

At a later date, the death of a baby is provoked by a woman's viral and infectious diseases. Underthey primarily mean rubella and STDs. Much less often, abdominal injuries resulting from a fall or blow contribute to this.

There are also cases when a fully developing pregnancy freezes for no apparent reason. Some women have several such cases in a row. Therefore, before the next pregnancy planning, it is advisable for them to undergo a comprehensive examination by specialized specialists.

Gynecologists identify a whole group of factors, the impact on the body of which can provoke freezing:

• father smoking while planning a baby;
• Women drinking during the first trimester of pregnancy;
• uncontrolled drug use;
• hormonal disorders;
• infection with STDs (gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis, etc.);
• diseases of the endocrine system (such as diabetes);
• the presence of Rhesus conflict;
• regular stress;
• weight lifting.

The risk group includes women with multiple abortions and / or miscarriages in history, congenital anomalies in the structure of the uterus. Old-time women, whose age has crossed the mark of 35 years, for the same reason, are under constant medical supervision.

Symptoms of early fetal fading

The most reliable method for detecting fetal fading in the initial stages is ultrasound. An ultrasound examination can be used to assess the heart rate of a growing fetus. A normally developing pregnancy is also confirmed by the results of a blood test to determine the levels of the hCG hormone. Every day his level should increase exponentially.

Expectant mother can independently identify a he alth threat by the first signs of missed pregnancy in the early stages. First, she has copious bleeding from the external genitalia. This symptom may be accompanied by cramping pain in the lower abdomen. If a woman had previously suffered from toxicosis, then when she fades, all manifestations of malaise disappear sharply. Nausea is replaced by a he althy appetite, taste whims disappear.

When these disorders appear, you should immediately contact a gynecologist. Otherwise, intoxication may occur. This condition is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, increasing weakness and pallor of the skin. The temperature during a frozen pregnancy usually rises sharply to 39-40 degrees. BP drops and pulse becomes thready. The woman quickly develops sepsis. If she does not receive emergency medical care, a fatal outcome is possible.

Manifestations of pathology in the II trimester

Signs in the second trimester of a missed pregnancy are more pronounced. The general condition suddenly worsens, the temperature is set at around 37-38 degrees. The woman is very shivering, tormented by cramping pains in the lower abdomen and in the lower back. Reddish streaks may appear on underwear. The mammary glands lose their shape and become less elastic. The abdomen decreases in volume and "hardens". The child stops moving. Unfortunately, the listed signs appear only 5 days after the actual intrauterine death of the fetus.

In some cases, the symptomatic picture of the pathology does not appear at all. The woman is not worried about the deterioration of he alth. The abdomen continues to grow rapidly, and blood tests confirm pregnancy. Doctors explain this phenomenon by the fact that it is not the baby that grows, but the empty intrafetal membrane.

Detection of fetal fading

Only a doctor can confirm an early miscarriage. Therefore, when alarming symptoms appear, you should immediately call a team of medical workers. Diagnosis of pathology is based on the following examination methods:

1. Examination on a gynecological chair to assess the size of the uterus.
2. A blood test for hormones. However, hCG levels may remain within normal limits for several days after the death of the fetus.
3. Ultrasound. A frozen pregnancy on an ultrasound scan is very easy to recognize by the absence of a heartbeat in a baby.

After confirming the diagnosis, the doctor must select a set of therapeutic procedures for the woman.

Further actions of doctors

Treatment for a woman is prescribed immediately. Termination of pregnancy is prescribed for medical reasons. If you do not seek medical help in time, the fetus will begindecompose. Such a phenomenon is dangerous by inflammation and severe intoxication of the woman's body.

Interruption is possible in two ways: medical and surgical. The help of the first is resorted to at an early stage of a missed pregnancy. In order for the fetal egg to leave the body of the uterus, the woman is given a potent hormonal drug "Mifepristone" and left under observation. After some time, profuse spotting should begin, indicating the removal of an inanimate embryo. After this procedure, prostaglandins are additionally prescribed, and then a control ultrasound. The examination is carried out to make sure that the uterine cavity is empty.

The surgical treatment option involves vacuum aspiration or curettage. With a frozen pregnancy, this method of treatment is used in complicated cases. The procedure is performed on an empty stomach using general anesthesia or local anesthesia. First, the doctor cleans the genitals with antiseptic solutions. Then expands the uterus with medical instruments to facilitate surgical procedures. After that, they begin to cleanse the uterine cavity.

There is also a third option. The woman herself in the early stages does not have time to realize that she will soon become a mother. Spontaneous abortion occurs. If the fetus has ceased to develop almost from the first days of life, the body rejects it, mistaking it for a foreign body. At the same time, a woman notices only a delay in menstruation. In some cases, doctors prefer to observe the patient's condition. In fact, they are waiting for a spontaneous abortion so as not to interfere inorganism.

Missed pregnancy: treatment

Rehabilitation period after medical abortion is short. You can start re-planning a child only after 6 months. Recovery after curettage during a frozen pregnancy is characterized by a longer period and involves douching, taking medications prescribed by a doctor. Menstruation usually begins after 25-30 days, but the course of treatment should be continued. Otherwise, the pathology will reappear.

A woman must undergo a comprehensive examination of the body in order to avoid fatal complications during the rehabilitation period. As a rule, blood and urine tests are prescribed, according to which the hormonal background is assessed. If necessary, it is stabilized with drugs.

Histology after pathology is carried out together with tests for sexual infections. The role of biological material is part of the flesh of the uterus. Statistics show that this laboratory test allows you to determine why the pregnancy freezes.

Possible consequences

If such a problem does come to life, it needs to be eliminated in a timely manner. Only the vigilance of a woman and the right decisions on the part of doctors can reduce the likelihood of postoperative complications. Any delay could cost lives. Other unpleasant consequences of missed pregnancy are presented below:

• infertility;
• difficulties in re-conception;
• gynecologicaldisease;
• psychological he alth problems;
• deep depression.

Prevention Methods

Fetal fading has a negative impact not only on the woman's he alth, but also on the desire to subsequently have children again. However, you should not be afraid to get pregnant again. The prognosis after the fetus freezes in most cases is favorable.

To prevent a repeat of the "scenario" already passed, parents should undergo a diagnostic examination. First of all, the couple is recommended to take blood tests for hormones of the genital area and thyroid gland. In the process of such an examination, latent infections are often found that require treatment before planning begins. Below is a list of the main procedures that are routinely assigned to expectant parents:

1. Cytogenetic analysis.
2. Histological examination of uterine tissues.
3. Ultrasound.
4. Research on bacterial flora.
5. A blood test for hormones.
6. Studying the features of the karyotype.
7. Blood test for hidden infections.
8. Spermogram.
9. Immunogram.

Complex of studies is selected individually. It can be supplemented with other procedures, depending on why the woman's pregnancy stops.

If a doctor prescribes treatment for a married couple, in most cases it is aimed at strengthening the immunity of partners. Particular attention is paid to the normalization of the metabolism and the monthly cycle of the lady. Help needed in some casesa psychologist who will help catch a positive attitude and give confidence to the couple.

To prevent the development of the negative consequences of a missed pregnancy, competent contraception is important. A woman needs to enrich her diet with he althy foods and take vitamins. It will take a long time for the body to recover after everything that has happened. The logical conclusion of such an unpleasant period will be the birth of a baby.

Planning a new pregnancy

What period should a couple wait after a missed pregnancy, what to do and how to behave - a gynecologist can answer these questions. As a rule, at least 6 months should elapse. In this matter, an important role is given to the root cause of fetal death. Until planning begins, couples must protect themselves in a way that suits them. Don't worry about the problem repeating. Such fears are most often groundless.

He althy lifestyle partners significantly increases the chances of a successful completion of a new pregnancy. It is important that not only a woman, but also a man prepares for this event. Therefore, the couple should give up addictions, adhere to the right lifestyle, exercise and walk more often in the fresh air. It is advisable for a woman to take vitamin complexes for pregnant women during planning. Properly selected drugs reduce the risk of congenital malformations of the central nervous system in the fetus.

Separately, the moral support of her husband should be considered. A woman after a frozen pregnancy may become unnecessarilysuspicious or very anxious. After the onset of pregnancy, she begins to listen to any changes in the body, to look for the first symptoms of intrauterine death of the fetus. The main task of the spouse is to surround his other half with attention, a positive attitude and support her in all matters. The successful outcome of gestation is largely determined by the morale of both partners.

Missed pregnancy is not a final verdict. Many, including absolutely he althy couples, have to deal with such a pathology. After a properly selected course of treatment and a comprehensive examination of the whole body, a woman has every chance of giving birth to a he althy baby. The main thing is not to neglect the doctor's recommendations and positively tune in to motherhood.