Pregnant women often suffer from pain in the back, lower back, and lower abdomen. This is part of a normal physiological process. There is nothing wrong with such discomfort. At such an early stage, such as 6 weeks, such symptoms rarely develop. At the same time, there is nothing terrible if they do appear. Tell your doctor about them. And if the pain is not too severe, and is not accompanied by vaginal discharge or an increase in body temperature, everything is fine.
What it is?
A frozen pregnancy is a pregnancy that initially complied with all medical standards, but at a certain period suddenly stopped developing. The cessation of progress in the development of the fetus leads to its death, but it remains in the uterine cavity. For this reason, this pathology is called a failed miscarriage.
In fact, at the very beginning everything happens, as in a normal pregnancy - the egg is fertilized, enters the uterus and is implanted for further development, but at one moment it stops. This pathology also includes “empty ovum” syndrome. It represents the development of membranes in which there is no embryo. With this syndrome, a pregnancy test is positive, as well as an hCG test.
Sixth week for baby
During the sixth week, the embryo grows from approximately 3 mm to 6-7 mm. At this time, the shape of the embryo is cylindrical and resembles to a certain extent a fish embryo. The rudiments of arms and legs appear along the body, which in the sixth week take the form of shoots. The arms are formed faster than the lower extremities; by the end of the sixth week, the rudiments of the hands are formed. The legs are currently not yet formed and remain in the rudimentary stage. At this time, complete closure of the tube should occur, and the rudiments of the hemispheres are formed from the brain vesicles.
The heart at this stage is characterized by intensive development and active pulsation. Inside this organ, division into chambers and compartments occurs, ventricles and atria arise. If you use highly sensitive ultrasound equipment, the fetal heartbeat can already be detected. The heart makes 100-160 beats per minute at this stage.
Also in the sixth week, the formation of the digestive tube occurs, which ends with the formation of the large and small intestines and stomach.
The development of the gonads continues and the ureters are formed. An important process at this stage is the formation of chorionic villi, i.e. the laying of the future placenta. The sixth week is marked by the active stage of vascular growth and “training” of the placenta. Of course, as a separate organ, the placenta has not yet formed and does not perform its functions, but the first tentative steps are already being taken - blood is being exchanged between the mother and the embryo, such an exchange is a precursor to future blood circulation.
Dangerous timing: when can it happen?
Fetal development can stop at any time up to 28 weeks (in rare cases, cessation of development can occur later), but the greatest likelihood of such a pathology occurs in the first trimester. There are also several periods with the highest risks of frozen pregnancy, these include the following periods:
- 3-4 weeks;
- 8-10 week;
- 16-18 weeks.
It is these periods that most often become critical for pregnancy.
Eighth week for baby
The embryo by the beginning of the eighth week has a length of 15-20 mm, and by its end - 40 mm. The mass of the embryo is five grams. After the eighth week, the embryonic period ends and the fetal period begins. After eight weeks, experts no longer use the term embryo; the unborn child is called a fetus until it is born. The main features of the eighth week are the intensive development and modification of the embryo. The body straightens, and it is increasingly divided into segments - limbs, head and torso.
At this stage, the nervous system is actively developing. Also in the eighth week, the brain is divided into sections, the hemispheres are more clearly defined, and convolutions are formed.
The face of the unborn child becomes more prominent, ears, nostrils, and eyes are formed. By the end of the eighth week, the upper lip has completely fused, and the face looks quite clearly formed.
The process of ossification of the skull, arms and legs is a feature of this period. The bones harden. The formation of the fingers occurs, and the thumb becomes isolated and opposed to the palm. Large joints (elbows and knees) are formed.
Brain structures that are responsible for muscle tone, as well as the muscular system itself, are also actively being formed. This allows the embryo to perform a variety of movements. The development of the digestive tract is almost complete by the end of this week. The intestines and stomach are supplied with nerve endings, which in the future will be able to provide motor functions of the gastrointestinal tract, and the cavities of the kidneys, heart, bladder and ureters are formed.
The future placenta develops a vascular system. The chorionic villi penetrate deeply into the wall of the uterus. Uteroplacental blood circulation becomes complete. A comprehensive supply to the growing fetus is provided by the umbilical cord vessels, through which it receives blood enriched with oxygen and a variety of nutrients. Also, through these vessels, metabolic products and carbon dioxide are removed.
Causes of missed abortion?
Even doctors are not always able to find out with certainty why a frozen pregnancy occurred. In modern medicine, there are a number of reasons that can cause this pathology. They are all divided into several large groups:
- Genetic pathologies. It is these reasons that most often provoke the arrest of fetal development. Pathological genes or the presence of an extra chromosome in the embryo can cause the development of many defects that are incompatible with life, which leads to termination of pregnancy. Often genetic pathologies cause pregnancy to stop developing in the eighth to tenth week.
- Infections. A frozen pregnancy can also often occur due to the presence of infectious diseases, since during the period of bearing a child, a woman experiences a fairly serious decline in immune defense. TORCH infections, which include rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes and toxoplasmosis, are considered especially dangerous during this period. The greatest danger to the fetus is the mother’s first “meeting” with the infection while she is already pregnant. Therefore, when registering, pregnant women are strongly recommended to undergo screening for these types of infections. Even seemingly simple and common diseases such as influenza or ARVI can cause pathology, especially in the early stages, when vital organs are forming in the fetus. The infection can affect the fetus directly, causing various types of abnormalities, or it can affect the membranes, resulting in a significant lack of oxygen or nutrients to the fetus.
- Hormonal disorders. Hormonal balance is extremely important for normal childbearing. Therefore, with a lack of progesterone or an excess of male hormones (androgens), the likelihood of miscarriage significantly increases. It is recommended to treat any hormonal imbalances before pregnancy.
- Antiphospholipid syndrome. Because of them, the formation of placental vessels may decrease or become blocked, which leads to disruption of the fetus receiving the necessary nutrition.
- Teratozoospermia. This cause of missed pregnancy is associated with pathologies in the man’s seminal fluid. With teratozoospermia, sperm have an abnormal structure, so fertilization with such a cell leads to abnormal development of the embryo.
- Lifestyle. The presence of bad habits, as well as lifestyle during pregnancy (and the planning period) can also negatively affect the development of the embryo, causing it to die. Drinking alcoholic beverages, smoking, stress, occupational hazards, daily routine, sedentary lifestyle, unbalanced diet - all these are considered negative factors for pregnancy.
- Other factors. Fading of pregnancy can also occur due to a sharp change in climate or a history of abortions (especially if there were several of them).
In some cases, several reasons may be detected at once that could lead to the miscarriage of pregnancy.
Sixth week for the expectant mother
If the cycle is delayed by two weeks, which corresponds to the sixth obstetric week, the woman may experience increased symptoms of toxicosis. Often nausea begins to lead to vomiting. If this happens more than two or three times a day, you should contact a specialist. Vascular permeability changes in the breast due to changes in hormonal levels. Therefore, the feeling of fullness of the glands may be accompanied by a periodic tingling sensation.
A woman in the sixth week is often accompanied by irritability, drowsiness, fatigue and weakness. All of these symptoms are a consequence of the influence of hormonal levels, which try to create the best conditions for the development of the child. Experts note that the severity of toxicosis directly depends on the emotional state of the woman. Therefore, the expectant mother should limit physical activity, avoid stressful situations, and ensure positive emotions and good mood.
Women may develop new taste preferences. Undoubtedly, it is necessary to ensure the comfort of the expectant mother, but one should not forget about common sense when choosing a diet. Even if you are attracted to harmful foods, you should not consume them; of course, smoking and alcohol are contraindicated. It is undesirable to consume smoked meats and any products containing chemical elements. The more correct the diet, the more benefits it can bring to the future baby.
Special attention should be paid to water balance. Dehydration can only worsen toxicosis, so it is important to monitor the amount of fluid consumed. Sometimes fruits, water and juices even become the only possible food for a woman.
Signs and symptoms
The symptoms of a frozen pregnancy are the same in any trimester. The main signs that may indicate such a pathology are:
- vaginal discharge with blood;
- general weakness, chills, increased body temperature;
- nagging pain in the lower abdomen;
- cessation of swelling and soreness of the mammary glands;
- sudden disappearance of toxicosis manifestations;
- absence of fetal movements (with pathology in the second trimester).
Despite the existence of characteristic symptoms of the pathology, often the cessation of fetal development goes unnoticed, since the basal temperature can remain within 37 degrees, and the hCG level remains high for several more weeks. In this case, the woman learns about the problem only at her next doctor’s appointment or routine ultrasound.
Eighth week for the expectant mother
For a woman’s body, the eighth week does not bring significant changes. All manifestations of toxicosis do not change their character, but are much easier to tolerate. This is due to the fact that by this time pregnant women get used to their condition and find factors that alleviate it and create comfort. This could be certain foods, proper sleep, one or another diet, walks, etc.
In this material, the gestational age is indicated as obstetric, i.e., it is calculated from the first day of the previous pregnancy menstruation.
How to recover after a frozen pregnancy?
If such a pathology occurs, it is imperative to remove the dead embryo from the uterine cavity, if this does not happen naturally. To do this, a cleaning is carried out, with the help of which all particles of the membranes are removed from the uterus. Both curettage and vacuum can be used. If freezing occurs in a very early stage, doctors may suggest a medical abortion, which is somewhat more gentle for the woman, including psychologically.
Doctors recommend abstaining from another pregnancy for six months (as recommended by the World Health Organization). This time is enough for the body to recover after the incident. Therefore, during this time, women are recommended to take oral contraceptives, which minimize the likelihood of conception and also help normalize hormonal levels.
During recovery, it is also recommended to lead the healthiest and most active lifestyle possible, take care of a balanced diet and take vitamin complexes. A woman definitely needs psychological support, and if she suffered a particularly difficult incident, she may need the help of specialists - a psychologist or psychiatrist. This will help you get back to normal and prepare for your next pregnancy.
What tests should I take after?
Before becoming pregnant after a frozen pregnancy, it is necessary to exclude the possibility of a recurrence of what happened. Treatment must be appropriate to the problem that caused the pathology. Therefore, it is extremely important to undergo a full examination, which will help determine the reason for the fading of fetal development. Based on the results of the examination, doctors prescribe treatment in accordance with the detected diseases.
It is recommended to undergo examination after the woman’s menstrual cycle has returned (usually this takes about 30 days after cleansing). But both spouses should get tested. A full examination includes:
- genetic examination of spouses;
- tests for TORCH infections;
- study of hormonal levels;
- blood coagulogram;
- Gynecological ultrasound;
- spermogram;
- immunogram.
Such an examination is usually sufficient to determine the causes of frozen pregnancy both in the early and late stages. The attending physician may prescribe additional tests if necessary. All these examinations can be completed at the IVF and infertility treatment clinic of Academician V.I. Grishchenko.
A frozen pregnancy is not a death sentence - in 90% of cases, after the occurrence of such a pathology, spouses in the near future become happy parents of healthy babies. The main thing is to undergo a full examination and eliminate the cause of the pathology. And if necessary, you can undergo the procedure of artificial insemination (IVF).
Answers to frequently asked and discussed questions on the forums:
✅ Can an ultrasound mistakenly show a frozen pregnancy?
An erroneous diagnosis of “non-developing pregnancy” occurs in the early stages. In our clinic, in order to avoid such mistakes, ultrasounds at 5-6 weeks are performed by at least two specialists. If there are no clear criteria for a non-developing pregnancy, then the patient is recommended to undergo a repeat examination after 3-7 days. And on repeated examination it may turn out that the frozen pregnancy turned out to be normal.
✅ Is it possible to do without cleaning during a frozen pregnancy?
If a frozen pregnancy tends to resolve itself, then it can come out on its own, and then curettage (cleaning) is not required. As soon as the discharge ends, it is necessary to check with an ultrasound that there are no elements of the fertilized egg left in the uterine cavity. If the pregnancy has frozen early and there are no signs that it is going to resolve itself, i.e. there is no bleeding, then it is advisable to do a curettage.
✅ Frozen pregnancy - cleaning or pills?
Medical methods of abortion are indicated for women who have already had pregnancies in the past and had natural births. But it is more correct to do curettage or vacuum, if time permits. Because sometimes, after medical terminations of pregnancy, you also have to do a curettage, but this time due to complications. Because the contents of the uterine cavity do not always come out completely, and inflammation is added, and this is a big trauma for the uterus and it is better to prevent this. Therefore, it is better to do moderate curettage on time, without severe trauma and without complications, than to do it as a forced measure. And most importantly, the products of curettage can be sent for genetic research to identify the reasons for the fading of fetal development.
✅ Can there be a frozen pregnancy without symptoms?
It happens that the pregnancy stops, and the patient knows absolutely nothing about it, and this is discovered at a later stage, when she is informed that the fertilized egg does not match in size, that the pregnancy stopped earlier, but, unfortunately, this cannot be suspected in advance absolutely impossible. The first signs of an undeveloped pregnancy can appear 2-3 weeks after the incident. This is bloody discharge or nagging pain in the lower abdomen. If you experience these symptoms, you should definitely consult a doctor.
✅ How long does it take to have a miscarriage during a frozen pregnancy?
If a woman decides to wait for spontaneous expulsion of an undeveloped pregnancy, what happens?
The endometrium tries to reject the frozen fertilized egg, but the inflammatory processes occurring in this endometrium slow down this process, and the process can last from several days to several weeks. Which negatively affects the endometrium and contributes to the development of the inflammatory process of “endometritis”. It happens that the fertilized egg does not come out completely, leaving some part in the uterine cavity, from which a placental polyp is often formed, preventing the onset of a subsequent pregnancy. ONLINE CONSULTATION
Expectant mother in the fifth week
A period of five weeks is quite early, so if changes occur in the female body, they are insignificant. At this stage, the cycle delay is one week, which not every woman pays attention to. If she is aware of her situation, thoughtfulness, tranquility, or, conversely, high activity may appear.
From the fifth week, odor intolerance and nausea are likely to appear. Most women are susceptible to early toxicosis, which manifests itself in the form of vomiting, usually occurring in the morning. Toxicosis can be mild or severe. The second is accompanied by incessant vomiting. Women experiencing severe toxicosis are subject to hospitalization.
A feeling of heaviness in the chest or slight pain when pressing is also a sign of early pregnancy.
