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embryo arrest
What is the progesterone level for embryonic arrest?
When an embryo stops developing, the progesterone level will gradually decrease, but how much it can decrease is uncertain; it depends on the gestational age and individual differences. However, if an embryo stops developing, the progesterone level usually does not exceed 20. Therefore, during pregnancy, it is essential for pregnant women to maintain good living habits, avoid harmful factors, rest well, strengthen nutrition, abstain from sexual intercourse in early pregnancy, avoid misuse of medication, and be vigilant about symptoms like vaginal bleeding or abdominal pain.
Will the pregnancy test strip become lighter if the embryo stops developing?
After embryonic arrest, early pregnancy tests will show a fading phenomenon. This is because the embryo has stopped developing, and the level of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in the body no longer rises but instead significantly declines. Early pregnancy tests work by detecting the amount of HCG in the urine. When embryonic arrest causes HCG levels to decrease, the result on pregnancy tests will gradually become fainter, even turning negative. It is advised that in cases of embryonic arrest, prompt miscarriage management or uterine evacuation should be conducted to prevent potential inflammatory gynecological conditions and impacts on the woman's clotting function.
Does an embryonic arrest require a dilation and curettage?
According to the different intervention methods, surgical abortion is needed during an abortion procedure, while medical abortion might not be necessary. Embryonic arrest, also known as missed abortion, occurs during pregnancy due to various factors which result in the absence of a fetal heartbeat in the gestational sac or fetus. Most cases of embryonic arrest occur during early pregnancy. If no fetal heartbeat is observed by the 9th week of pregnancy, it is diagnosed as embryonic arrest. Once embryonic growth ceases, it is crucial to intervene artificially as soon as possible to expel the gestational sac from the uterus. Common methods of artificial intervention include medical abortion and surgical abortion. If surgical abortion is chosen for an embryonic arrest, it involves direct curettage or evacuation of the uterus. Embryonic arrest can also be treated with medical abortion, which involves taking oral medication to stimulate uterine contractions, soften the cervix, and expel the gestational sac from the uterus. A follow-up is required about two weeks after the abortion. If there is no residual material in the uterine cavity, then curettage is not necessary; however, if substantive residuals or blood signals are present inside the uterine cavity, then curettage is needed.
Is it necessary to send an embryo for examination if embryonic arrest occurs?
After fetal growth restriction occurs, it is still necessary to send the fetus for examination after dealing with any abnormalities that arise. There are many factors that can cause embryonic arrest, such as maternal factors, abnormal immune function, and the environment of the pregnant woman. More importantly, factors related to the embryo, such as chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo, are the main cause of embryonic arrest. Therefore, after embryonic arrest occurs, it is recommended to go to the hospital for a fetal chromosomal examination to lay a good foundation for the next conception.
Does an embryonic arrest require a uterine curettage?
After discovering that the embryo has ceased developing, it is necessary to undergo a uterine cleaning treatment. If an embryo arrest is not dealt with promptly, it can cause an infection in the uterine cavity and even lead to abnormalities in the woman's coagulation function, which is very detrimental to health. However, a uterine cleaning is not always necessary. If the gestational sac is relatively small, medications can be used to induce contractions of the uterus, facilitating the expulsion of the gestational sac from the body. It is advisable to handle the situation promptly after discovering an arrested embryo and to perform thorough prenatal screenings before attempting to conceive again, to prevent the recurrence of such adverse pregnancy conditions.
Why is there no bleeding or abdominal pain when an embryo stops developing?
After the occurrence of embryonic arrest, some pregnant women may not experience any uncomfortable symptoms, nor do they have vaginal bleeding or abdominal pain. Embryonic arrest is detected through ultrasound examination, by observing the shape of the gestational sac and whether there is an embryo and fetal heartbeat present. If there is still no fetal heartbeat after eight weeks of pregnancy, it is determined that fetal development has ceased, or if the size of the embryo does not grow progressively with the gestational weeks, it is also judged as embryonic arrest. At this time, timely treatment should be performed, and one can choose either surgical abortion or medical abortion, rather than waiting and observing.
Why does embryonic arrest cause back pain?
After the embryo's development stops, the uterus will induce contractions, leading to pain in the lower back and abdomen, which is considered normal. Following the cessation of the embryo's development, there will be episodic pain in the lower abdomen accompanied by back pain, primarily to facilitate the process of embryo cessation and to promote the expulsion of the gestational sac. In such cases, it is important to rest, observe the expulsion of embryonic tissue, and be mindful of vaginal bleeding. Rest should be prioritized, avoid overexertion, strengthen nutrition, maintain a regular routine, and, if necessary, undergo a uterine cleaning procedure.
Can medication completely clear an arrested embryo?
After confirming that there is an embryonic arrest, timely treatment should be carried out, which can be either medical abortion or curettage. If the pregnancy is less than 50 days, medical abortion can be an option. Afterwards, an ultrasound should be conducted to check if everything has been completely expelled. If no residues are found, no further treatment is required. However, if any residues are discovered, another curettage must be performed. Therefore, whether a medical abortion can be completely effective in cases of embryonic arrest depends on the gestational age at the time of the occurrence.
Can a pregnancy test still detect pregnancy if the embryo has stopped developing?
After embryonic arrest, the level of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in the body is still relatively high, and it does not immediately drop to normal. Therefore, if a pregnancy test is conducted at this time, it can still test positive. The diagnosis of embryonic arrest needs to be confirmed by an ultrasound examination, which checks the size of the fetus and whether there is a fetal heartbeat and fetal bud, and whether they correspond to the gestational age. If embryonic arrest is confirmed, it is necessary to actively proceed with an abortion, then identify and actively treat the causes of the embryonic arrest, in preparation for the next pregnancy attempt.
Can traditional Chinese medicine be used to regulate embryonic arrest?
After experiencing a case of embryonic arrest, it is crucial to actively investigate the cause, and it is not feasible to rely solely on drinking herbal medicine for treatment. The causes of embryonic arrest can include genetic factors, endocrine factors, immunological factors, infectious factors, and abnormal uterine conditions in women that may also impact embryonic development. However, if the cause is not identified, there is still a possibility of another embryonic arrest in the next pregnancy. Therefore, consuming herbal medicine is insufficient for treatment, and it is necessary to go to the hospital for a detailed examination. After determining the cause, treatment can then proceed.