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2021

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There are warning signs of embryonic arrest, and these situations should be taken seriously!

Embryo damage refers to the phenomenon of embryo death during early pregnancy due to adverse factors such as defects in the fertilized egg, maternal factors, or external influences. The fertilized egg is like a seed that goes through a series of complex and wonderful processes to eventually grow into a healthy baby. If the fertilized egg does not sprout well in the initial stages, it is very likely to stop growing.


Author:

Linyi Maternal and Child Hospital - Editor

 

What is fetal arrest?

Embryo arrest(embryo damage) refers toearly pregnancythe phenomenon of embryo death caused by adverse factors such as defects in the fertilized egg, maternal factors, or external factors. The fertilized egg is like a seed that goes through a series of complex and wonderful processes to eventually grow into a healthy baby. If the fertilized egg does not sprout well in the initial stages, it is likely to stop growing.

 

What are the signals of fetal arrest??

If fetal arrest occurs, all pregnancy reactions of the pregnant woman will gradually disappear:

No more nausea, vomiting, and other early pregnancy reactions

The feeling of breast swelling diminishes

Vaginal bleeding, often dark red blood-stained discharge

Lower abdominal pain, expulsion of the embryo

 

Clinical manifestations vary from person to person; some may have no signs at all, only experiencing abdominal pain followed by miscarriage, or fetal arrest may be asymptomatic and discovered through routine ultrasound.

Why does fetal arrest occur?

In most cases, fetal arrest is a process of natural selection; over 70% of embryos fail because they are not viable. After developing to a certain extent, the embryo can no longer develop, leading to embryo death and expulsion.
 
In fact, the majority of early miscarriages cannot be attributed to a specific cause. Other causes of fetal arrest include:
 
1.Reproductive endocrineissues, such as insufficient luteal function and thyroid dysfunction.
 
2.Uterine problems, congenital or acquired uterine abnormalities, such as uterine septum, uterine fibroids, and intrauterine adhesions, all pose a risk of fetal arrest. Fortunately, many uterine abnormalities can be detected in a timely manner through gynecological examinations like ultrasound, allowing for treatment and improvement before pregnancy. For expectant mothers who have experienced fetal arrest due to uterine abnormalities, it is essential to treat related uterine diseases before preparing for the next pregnancy.
 
3.Infection, usually during pre-pregnancy check-ups or early pregnancy examinations, doctors will recommend expectant mothers undergo the four essential tests (abbreviated as TORCH). By checking for viral antibodies, it can be determined whether the expectant mother is in an acute infection phase of a certain virus. If the expectant mother is in the acute infection phase of rubella, cytomegalovirus, or toxoplasmosis, it may indeed lead to embryo malformation or death. It is advisable for expectant mothers to wait until they have passed the acute infection phase and their IgM antibodies have turned negative before trying to conceive.
 
4.Chromosomalissues, as chromosomes contain essential information for fetal development. When there are problems with chromosomes, it can easily lead to miscarriage. Chromosomal abnormalities are not uncommon; statistics show that about 20% to 55% of early miscarriages are due to chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo. Chromosomal issues are a clear cause of many women's miscarriages and fetal arrests, which is why chromosomal testing is often conducted at reproductive centers.
 
5. Research has found that abnormalities in thesperm of the expectant fathermay lead to the appearance of a blighted ovum, where the gestational sac has developed significantly but no embryo is present. Therefore, during the preparation for pregnancy, expectant fathers should maintain a regular schedule, quit smoking and drinking, and adopt a healthy lifestyle, which greatly helps improve sperm quality.
 
6.Advanced age: As the age of the expectant mother increases, the likelihood of fetal arrest gradually rises. Recent data shows that for expectant mothers aged 20 to 30, the chance of fetal arrest is only 9% to 17%; at 35 years old, the rate increases to 20%; at 40 years old, it rises to 40%; and by 45 years old, the rate reaches as high as 80%.
 

7.Low folic acid levels: If the expectant mother has a low concentration of folic acid, it increases the risk of fetal arrest between 6 to 12 weeks. Therefore, it is recommended that women preparing for pregnancy start supplementing with a small dose of folic acid three months before conception.

 

What should I do if I encounter fetal arrest?

It is important to remind everyone: once fetal arrest has occurred, it cannot be reversed. The remaining embryo in the uterine cavity has stopped developing, and leaving it in the cavity serves no purpose.

 

Timely dilation and curettage is necessary to prevent the retained embryo from remaining in the uterine cavity for an extended period, which could lead to missed miscarriage and cause inflammation in the uterine cavity. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are essential.

 

 

▌ If it is just one instance of fetal arrest

If it is just one instance of fetal arrest, generally speaking, it is often due to incidental factors, as fetal arrest itself is a result of natural selection. It may be that there was an issue with this conception, leading to chromosomal abnormalities, and future pregnancies should be monitored closely.

 

One instance of fetal arrest can be examined for the causes of fetal arrest. If there are no targeted examinations, close observation is necessary during the second pregnancy.

 

The most important thing is to relax, take care of your body, and prepare for the next pregnancy; generally, it will not affect the second pregnancy. You can arrange other activities in your life to divert your attention; once your emotions are alleviated, good fortune may come!

▌ If there are two or more consecutive instances of fetal arrest

If there are two instances of fetal arrest, it should be taken seriously. Comprehensive examinations should be conducted, including genetic testing of the products of the second miscarriage and testing both partners' chromosomes to identify the causes of multiple fetal arrests.

 

If there are two or more consecutive instances of fetal arrest, the possibility of recurrent miscarriage should be considered, and examinations should be conducted to clarify the causes, which will help guide the next pregnancy.
 

Repeated fetal arrest may be largely due to immune factors; pregnant women often have an overly strong immune system, which can trigger an autoimmune response under the guidance of the embryo and its attachments. At this time, a reasonable treatment plan should be developed under the guidance of rheumatology and obstetrics experts, and thorough pre-pregnancy examinations should be conducted. If you persist through this difficult time, you may be rewarded with a precious baby!

A偶然 miscarriage is not scary; it is the result of natural selection. For multiple inevitable miscarriages, the most important thing is to find the cause, relax your mindset, actively correct the reasons for the miscarriage, and strive to welcome the next baby.