What if the fetus is frozen? Genetic and chromosomal abnormalities. Consequences and prognosis after a frozen pregnancy

We didn't even hear. And not at all because it did not exist. It’s just that previously, any arbitrary termination of pregnancy, regardless of the reasons for its occurrence, was called a miscarriage. Today, thanks to technological progress, with the help of ultrasound and other examinations, doctors can make a diagnosis that no one even suspected a few decades ago. A frozen pregnancy is the same case.

According to some data, in our time this diagnosis is given to about 40% of pregnant women. Their pregnancy ends already, which is provoked by a frozen pregnancy. It occurs when the fetus stops developing. The reasons for this phenomenon can be different - ranging from bad habits future parents and ending with chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus. Most often, frozen pregnancy is caused by various infections that a pregnant woman accidentally picked up (rubella, chickenpox) and hormonal disorders in the body.

It’s good if a frozen pregnancy ends on its own with a miscarriage. This usually occurs very early in pregnancy. Otherwise, the consequences for the woman can be extremely unpleasant. After all, the frozen fetus begins to deteriorate, causing inflammation in the uterine cavity. Therefore, if a frozen pregnancy is diagnosed, medical termination of the pregnancy is clearly indicated by curettage of the uterine cavity or taking medications that lead to a miscarriage (if the gestational age does not exceed 8 weeks).

To avoid unpleasant consequences, it is important to identify the symptoms of a frozen pregnancy as early as possible. But is this possible? Signs of a frozen pregnancy can be both pronounced and hidden. The most the right way To avoid an undesirable outcome is regular examination by specialists and careful attitude to your health.

What are the symptoms of a frozen pregnancy?

You know very well about: vomiting (toxicosis), swelling of the mammary glands, high basal temperature And so on. All these symptoms arise due to the woman’s body adapting to foreign body(to the fetus). And if this fetus stops developing, then, logically, everything should fall into place. However, most often this does not happen. The pregnancy peters out, but its symptoms continue. And only later is their abrupt cessation observed. It happens that a woman clearly feels the sudden termination of pregnancy. This should alert her and become a reason to see a doctor.

Discharge. If a frozen pregnancy occurs already in the first three weeks after conception, then, most likely, scanty periods will appear on time, but their duration will be much longer than usual. at established pregnancy should always cause an urgent visit to the doctor. Even if it's a small drop of blood, don't risk it. Usually calls bleeding not a frozen pregnancy, but the threat of its termination. That is, the embryo continues to develop, and the uterus tries in every possible way to get rid of it. It happens that a frozen pregnancy is combined with a miscarriage. In this case, spotting is sure to appear.
Pain. Most often, nagging pain in the lower abdomen indicates an incipient miscarriage, but they are not typical for a frozen pregnancy. Just on later fading, pain reminiscent of menstrual pain may appear.
Breast. The most a clear symptom the appearance of pregnancy is pain and swelling of the mammary glands. With a frozen pregnancy, these symptoms stop abruptly.
Toxicosis. If you were very severely tormented by nausea and vomiting in the first trimester and suddenly they suddenly stop, consult a doctor, especially if your pregnancy does not exceed 10 weeks.
Basal temperature. During a frozen pregnancy, it returns to the same levels as in the normal “non-pregnant” state. However, this is not the main symptom of the pathology.

You should be more attentive to yourself if a similar situation has happened before. The threat of another frozen pregnancy is quite common.

The most dangerous is a frozen pregnancy in the later stages. It carries not only negative physiological consequences, but also psychological ones. Symptoms of a frozen pregnancy in the second trimester can be both obvious and hidden.

Stomach. During a frozen pregnancy, it stops growing. The uterus does not increase in size.
Movements. The most obvious sign of a frozen pregnancy is the cessation of fetal movements. Several days of “silence” in the stomach is an extremely dangerous situation.
Body temperature. If the fetus died quite a long time ago, and the woman does not suspect it, then serious changes occur in her body. An infection develops in the uterus, which causes a sharp increase in body temperature.
Bleeding. At any stage of pregnancy, any discharge should be a reason to consult a doctor. During a frozen pregnancy, discharge may not be observed.

However, under no circumstances should you make a diagnosis yourself. Even if all the symptoms coincide, it still doesn’t mean anything. Only a doctor can confirm the diagnosis after conducting a lot of different examinations.

Gynecological examination. By palpation, a discrepancy between the size of the uterus and the expected gestational age is detected. However, this method helps to detect a frozen pregnancy only in the second and third trimester. In the first weeks of pregnancy, the size of the uterus is not yet so different from the “non-pregnant” size.
Chorionic gonadotropin. A blood test for hCG levels is mandatory if a missed abortion is suspected. In this case, its indicators first stop at a certain level and then decrease.
Ultrasound. Using this examination, a frozen pregnancy can be diagnosed different dates. Lack of heartbeat in the fetus, stopping the growth of the embryo or its absence in the fertilized egg - all this obvious signs frozen pregnancy.

However, the doctor can make a final diagnosis only by comparing all the results obtained. Before the verdict and even after it, try not to panic. It's easy to say, but of course there is nothing worse for a mother than the loss of her baby. However, remember that after a frozen pregnancy you have every chance of carrying a healthy baby.

Take care of yourself!

Especially for- Tanya Kivezhdiy

Frozen pregnancy is a pathology, the causes of which have not yet been fully studied. In medicine, a frozen pregnancy is called a failed abortion. The likelihood of developing the problem does not depend on the woman’s age, her social status or the number of previous pregnancies. The causes of the pathology are still not fully understood. According to statistics, frozen pregnancy occurs in every 176th woman planning to become a mother.

What is pathology?

Non-developing pregnancy is intrauterine death of the fetus associated with irreversible processes occurring in its tissues. The pathology does not have pronounced signs, such as, for example, a miscarriage. For this reason, it is important to know about the first signs of pathology in order to promptly seek help from a doctor.

Important! In gynecology, the concept of an empty fertilized egg is often encountered. The condition occurs when the egg is fertilized and attaches to the endometrium. However, the cell itself does not contain an embryo.

Causes of non-developing pregnancy

The most common cause of miscarriage is gene mutations. They are the cause of embryo death in 70% of cases up to 8 weeks. Numerous factors can lead to genetic malfunctions in the body: chronic or hereditary diseases, drug use, alcohol consumption by future parents.

Important! During pregnancy, you should definitely undergo screenings prescribed by a gynecologist and geneticist. This study will detect gene abnormalities in a child in the early stages.

The likelihood of a failed abortion increases if future mom cannot give up bad habits: smoking, poor nutrition, drinking alcohol. Medications that a pregnant woman takes without the consent of a doctor can provoke various abnormalities in the fetus.

Therefore, in the first trimester, potent drugs are prescribed only in extreme cases, for example, in severe infectious diseases. After 10 weeks of pregnancy, a strong placenta is formed, which protects the fetus from external negative influences. In this case, taking medications will not be so dangerous for him.

Other causes of missed abortion include:

Rhesus conflict between mother and fetus. The problem is especially acute for women who have had multiple abortions. Gradually, antibodies to the embryo accumulate in the woman’s body, which reduce the likelihood of a successful pregnancy.
Severe infectious and viral diseases. Expectant mothers are vulnerable to pathogenic flora, so they quickly become infected during epidemics. Some diseases (rubella, chickenpox, measles) can not only provoke the death of the embryo, but also cause physical and mental abnormalities in the child in the future. In such cases, the mother may agree to an abortion or decide to give birth and raise a special baby.
Hormonal imbalances. The cause of miscarriage can be a lack of prolactin or excess testosterone. If a woman experienced irregular menstruation before conception, her gynecologist must be informed about this.

Risk factors for the development of frozen pregnancy:

old-time women over 35 years of age;
numerous abortions in the past;
the presence of defects in the structure of the uterus;
previously diagnosed ectopic pregnancies.

If there is at least one risk factor, the woman is put under special monitoring by a gynecologist. The risk group for abnormal pregnancy also includes women who refuse to be observed by specialists.

Important! Every pregnant woman should register with a gynecologist at 7-8 weeks of pregnancy.

Timing of frozen pregnancy

The problem occurs at any stage of pregnancy (even a few days before delivery). Examining statistical data, doctors noted several periods that are the most dangerous for fetal formation:

3rd and 4th weeks from the moment of conception;
7-11th week;
16-18th week.

After the 20th week, cases of child development arrest are few. In the vast majority of cases, the problem occurs before 14 gestational weeks. The cause of the anomaly in the first trimester is genetic abnormalities and hormonal imbalances, in the second and third trimesters - infectious diseases.

Symptoms of pathology in the early stages

A woman may not immediately notice a frozen pregnancy, especially if it does not manifest clinical signs. However, the condition poses a threat to a woman’s life, since the decaying fetus poisons the body and harms the reproductive system. However, upon careful examination of her condition, a woman may note the following signs characteristic of a non-developing pregnancy:

Abnormal discharge. The woman’s body tries to independently get rid of the fetus after its death. Within 48 hours she may have a whitish discharge of normal consistency. After this, bloody streaks appear in the mucus. Gradually the bleeding becomes more and more profuse.
Change in the intensity of toxicosis. After implantation ovum Many women feel the urge to vomit. They are associated with increased production of hCG. If the fetus dies, the production of the hormone stops. After a day, the woman may feel relief. 4-6 days after the death of the fetus, signs of toxicosis disappear completely. This symptom does not always indicate pathological processes in the body. The intensity of toxicosis may decrease as a result of the woman’s physiological adaptation to the fetus.
Deterioration in general health. An embryo that decomposes for a long time in a woman’s body provokes intoxication of the body. At first, the condition resembles a cold and is accompanied by fatigue and loss of strength. After two weeks more than clear signs pathologies: dizziness, anxiety, abdominal cramps, temperature.
Drastic changes basal temperature. In pregnant women, the indicator is at a level exceeding 37 degrees. After the fetus dies, the mark on the thermometer drops to 36.7 degrees, and at the time of decomposition of the embryo it rises to 37.5 degrees.

Symptoms of pathology in late pregnancy

From the second trimester, other manifestations join the listed symptoms of frozen pregnancy. Bright clinical picture The problem is due to the fact that the fruit is large.

The main manifestations of a non-developing pregnancy in the second and third trimesters include:

absence of fetal movements for more than 24 hours;
nagging pain in the abdomen;
leakage of water with an unpleasant putrid odor.

The absence of movements in the fetus may also indicate an insufficient supply of oxygen to it. The situation occurs when the umbilical cord is entwined around the baby’s neck or torso. If a woman consults a doctor in a timely manner, the baby can be saved from suffocation.

One of the characteristic signs of fading pregnancy in later stages is a change in breast size. If ST occurred before the 25th week, then the breast returns to same size in just a few days. At later stages after the death of the fetus, colostrum may be released from the glands.

After the death of the fetus, not only the breasts, but also the abdomen decreases in size. This is due to the fact that after the tragedy the number of amniotic fluid. The listed signs will be observed in a woman one to two days after the death of the fetus. In the later stages of pregnancy, the body tries to get rid of the dead child already on the 4-5th day.

Diagnosis of frozen pregnancy

Examination for a frozen pregnancy includes the following types of procedures:

visual examination by a gynecologist;
blood sampling for hCG;
basal temperature measurement

The first two methods are considered the main ones in identifying signs of a frozen pregnancy, the rest are auxiliary.

Important! If there is a suspicion of a frozen pregnancy before the 7th week, then the abortion is postponed until a repeat ultrasound examination. It may happen that the device did not detect the vital functions of the embryo or the doctor made a mistake when calculating the timing of conception.

Signs of a frozen pregnancy according to ultrasound:

early term - incorrect location of the fertilized egg or its damage;
late term - the absence of a heartbeat in the fetus and the discrepancy between its size and the term.

Ultrasound data are not enough to make a final diagnosis of BD. Due to hormonal imbalances and psychological stress in women, fetal development can be delayed for up to four weeks. In this case, a repeat ultrasound is performed after two weeks. If the fetus has not increased in size, this means that it is dead.

Treatment of pathology

A popular way to free the uterine cavity from a dead fetus is medical abortion. In Russia, it is performed up to 9 weeks of pregnancy, in European countries - up to 12. The drugs used for therapy are mifepristone and misoprostol. This method gives an effective result, but has a list of contraindications:

blood clotting disorder;
severe anemia;
renal and liver failure;
ectopic pregnancy.

If a frozen pregnancy is diagnosed at 13-22 weeks, then resort to artificial stimulation childbirth through one of the following methods:

Intramial. A 20% sodium chloride solution is injected into the amniotic sac using a thin needle.
Isolated. Insertion of mifepristone or misoprostol into the vagina followed by oral administration of one of the drugs.

If the above methods for removing the fetus do not bring results or have contraindications for implementation, then doctors resort to placing a load on the presenting section of the amniotic sac.

In the third trimester, the dead fetus is disposed of through artificial birth. Fulfill C-section in this case it is prohibited, as blood infection may occur. The woman will have to give birth to the deceased child without anesthesia as an emergency.

After treatment, the woman will need to adhere to the following rules:

Accept hormonal drugs for the speedy restoration of the endometrium.
Take antibiotics to prevent endometrial infection. Drugs from the macrolide or cephalosporin group are prescribed.
Undergo physiotherapeutic procedures aimed at regenerating damaged uterine tissue.
Take medications to strengthen your immune system.

Another way to remove the fertilized egg is curettage. For periods up to 12 weeks, vacuum aspiration of the uterus is acceptable. The standard curettage procedure is performed only in extreme cases, as it can lead to irreversible damage to the epithelium.

Indications for traditional curettage:

ineffectiveness of drug therapy;
cleansing the uterus from fetal remains after an incomplete miscarriage.

Curettage is prescribed to women after an ultrasound, blood test and electrocardiogram. A preliminary consultation with the doctor who will perform the anesthesia is required.

Progress of the curettage procedure:

The woman is given intravenous anesthesia, which begins to take effect within a few seconds.
The genitals are treated with antiseptic agents.
Using a mirror, the doctor fixes the cervix with forceps and expands the cervical canal.
The cleansing procedure is performed with a curette equipped with a loop at the end. With its help, all the mucous membranes of the cervical canal and uterus are scraped out.
After curettage, drugs are injected into the uterine cavity to stimulate contractions. The treated area is disinfected with iodine solution.

After the operation is completed, all fixing gynecological instruments are removed. Cold is placed on the woman’s stomach, which helps to constrict small blood vessels and tone the uterus. A woman's menstrual cycle should resume 6-7 weeks after curettage. The operation is allowed to be performed until the second trimester (less often in later stages).

Consequences of a frozen pregnancy

Termination of pregnancy is stressful for the female body, regardless of the chosen method of treatment subsequently. It will be possible to fully recover after the operation only after 6 months. During this time, the woman will need to take hormonal medications.

Complications after a frozen pregnancy:

Psychological trauma associated with the fear of unsuccessful subsequent pregnancies or the inability to conceive a child.
Infertility. To prevent the development of complications, it is necessary to follow the doctor’s recommendations and be regularly examined by a gynecologist. Symptoms for an urgent visit to a gynecologist are fever, severe vaginal bleeding.
Inflammatory diseases of the uterine cavity. The complication often develops after traditional curettage. During the operation, the mucous membranes of the reproductive organ are removed, which makes it more vulnerable to pathogenic flora.
Adhesive processes. Inflammation of the uterus leads to the fact that its individual parts stick together. Deformation of the organ cavity subsequently becomes a cause of infertility.

Prevention of undeveloped pregnancy

Each couple planning a child must first undergo a set of studies, which includes a blood test for infections, ultrasound of the pelvic organs, and genetic tests. It is recommended to refrain from conceiving if one of the partners had rubella less than 6 months ago, chicken pox or severe flu.

Other measures aimed at preventing frozen pregnancy include:

performing preventive vaccinations;
visit to a geneticist;
normalization of hormonal levels;
maintaining a healthy lifestyle;
refraining from flying in the first months from the moment of conception.

With proper planning, the probability of a successful pregnancy is about 90%. This also applies to cases where a woman has suffered unsuccessful attempts bearing a child in the past. It is important not to ignore visits to multidisciplinary specialists who will draw up a competent treatment plan after a frozen pregnancy.

Pregnancy is a very important period in the life of any woman. Having learned about your interesting position, 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 a late 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, subjective feelings, 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 pregnancy?

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 placental blood flow and even to the death of the fetus. The role of APS in the formation of non-developing pregnancy, delay intrauterine development fetus, up to fetal death in the second and third trimesters.

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 normal indicators for pregnant women (37-37.5), chills, nagging pain in the lumbar region and lower abdomen, decreased abdominal volume, 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, non-developing pregnancy determined during 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 issues, and periodic pain in the lower abdomen.

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, it is possible positive result research.

What should you do if you discover a frozen pregnancy?

After pregnancy fading, 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 the tissues of the fetal egg, it is possible to determine the presence genetic abnormalities. To the complex therapeutic 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 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 disappointments 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 unborn 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 have instantly reacted with serious aggression to such a “semi-compatible transplant”, and the baby would have had 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. Placental hormones act in much the same way. corpus luteum, adrenal glands and the fetus itself. 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 danger arises intrauterine infection 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 contracting 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 common symptoms: intoxication, increased temperature, which leads to disturbances in blood flow in the “mother-placenta-fetus” system. The embryo lacks oxygen and nutrients, and he 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. At correct mode 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, e.g. early detachment placenta, and bring 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. IN public transport It is recommended to spend no more than an hour a day. Nervous shocks are generally contraindicated. Need healthy food, lots of it fresh air And positive emotions, moderate mental and exercise stress, preferably in the form of walks and simple exercises.

By labor legislation Pregnant women should not be involved in night work, overtime work, work associated with lifting and moving heavy objects, vibration, exposure to high and low temperatures, noise, radiation and some chemical substances. Important healthy sleep eight or more hours a day. Standing for more than three hours a day is not recommended. .

Traveling abroad is also not without risk. First, if something unexpected happens, medical care a foreign country will not provide full assistance. 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 possible violation work of 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 six months later. This time is necessary for the uterine mucosa to recover and hormonal background in organism. 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 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), lead healthy image life. 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. Role psychological factors during pregnancy is recognized by most doctors.

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

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:

Genetic mutations are the most common factor. This pathology appears before the 8th week of gestation. More often it is incompatible with later life.
Hormonal disorders. These include a lack of progesterone and increased levels of androgens - male hormones.
Infections. During the period of carrying a baby, the expectant mother's body is highly susceptible to viruses. The amniotic sac and placenta protect the embryo. However, this “armor” does not help with exacerbation of infections. Moreover, when high temperature, accompanying infectious diseases, oxygen delivery to the fetus deteriorates.
Problems with blood clotting. The fertilized egg is not able to attach to inside uterus. Besides this pathology provokes blockage of blood vessels, as a result the embryo is not delivered required quantity valuable substances, and it stops developing.
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?

Death of the embryo 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. Special attention The expectant mother should pay attention to the following symptoms:

Sudden disappearance of toxicosis. If early gestosis occurs suddenly and without cause, it’s time to sound the alarm.
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:

The first 2 days after the death of the embryo, the consistency of the secretion is normal. They have a whitish color.
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.
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 during 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, they appear in the lower abdomen severe pain cramping in nature.

BT for frozen pregnancy in the early stages

Some women continue to control even after fertilization. At normal course 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 this period 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:

The size of the fertilized egg does not correspond to the norm (much smaller).
Not “visible” (after the 5th week of gestation it should be clearly visible).
The size of the embryo is smaller than it should be at this stage of pregnancy.
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 future plan actions. 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 general 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;
at bacterial infections, attacking 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:

It is necessary to take antibacterial drugs.
After scraping, you must follow bed rest. Physical activity can cause bleeding.
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!
You need to abstain from sex for at least 2 weeks.
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.
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:

If anembryonia occurs for the first time in a woman, the probability of its recurrence is up to 25%.
After the 2nd pathological pregnancy The risk that the problem will reoccur is about 35%. For this reason, the expectant mother should carefully monitor the signs of a frozen pregnancy in the early stages.
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. Helps you bear a healthy baby folic acid. Signs of a frozen pregnancy in late or early stages are inextricably linked with a woman’s diet (it must be healthy).

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

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

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

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

What is the danger of a frozen pregnancy?

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

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

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

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

Genetic disorders of the fetus

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

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

Hormonal disorders

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

Rhesus conflict

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

Infections

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

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

Bleeding disorders

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

Medicines

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

Stress

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

Physical impact

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

Wrong lifestyle

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

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

How does a frozen pregnancy manifest: signs and symptoms

What are the first signs and symptoms of a frozen pregnancy in the early stages, how to determine it? In the first trimester of pregnancy, the stoppage of embryo development may not be noticeable to the woman.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prevention of frozen pregnancy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prosperous prenatal development Following simple recommendations will help your child:

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

Statistics show that in most cases repeat pregnancy ends with birth healthy baby, so don’t despair and blame yourself or your partner.

Video about frozen pregnancy

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

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