Will the embryo still grow if the embryo has ceased development?

Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
Updated on September 11, 2024
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Embryo arrest, also known as missed abortion, refers to the condition in early pregnancy where, due to congenital developmental defects in the gestational sac or other influencing factors, natural development does not occur, resulting in the absence of a fetal heartbeat. Once embryo arrest has been diagnosed, the embryo generally does not continue to grow, because embryo arrest means that the gestational sac has died and is gradually decaying. If a subsequent ultrasound check reveals that the embryo may have grown slightly since the previous examination, this should not be considered as growth continuation of the embryo, but rather attributed to measurement error. Therefore, once embryo arrest is detected and meets diagnostic criteria, timely re-examination may show some lengthening of the embryo. However, in the absence of a fetal heartbeat, it still needs to be treated as embryo arrest, and an abortion procedure should be promptly performed.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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Does an embryonic arrest still have pregnancy reactions?

After a normal miscarriage, hormone levels do not suddenly drop to a non-pregnant state, so pregnancy reactions may still occur. Simply based on the current state of pregnancy reactions, it is not possible to accurately judge the developmental condition of the embryo in the uterine cavity. It is still necessary to undergo regular prenatal checks after becoming pregnant and monitor the development of the embryo in the uterine cavity via ultrasound. If the embryo has already stopped developing, it is necessary to seek medical treatment for an abortion in a timely manner to avoid causing disorders in the body's coagulation function.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Does embryonic arrest definitely require a uterine curettage?

After embryo arrest, it is necessary to terminate the pregnancy in a timely manner, but it is not always necessary to undergo a uterine curettage; medication can also be taken orally to help expel the pregnancy sac. Oral medication can stimulate the uterus and soften the cervix to cause uterine contractions and expel the pregnancy sac outside the uterus. However, if the embryo arrest occurs later in the pregnancy, then an artificial abortion is required, which can be done by direct curettage or uterine clearing to help expel the pregnancy tissue. Therefore, it is recommended to go to the hospital for an ultrasound examination after embryo arrest, and then decide whether to choose medical abortion or uterine clearing based on the timing of the examination. (The specific medication should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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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.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Can an arrested embryo be expelled naturally?

Embryonic arrest, also known as missed miscarriage, refers to the restriction of growth and development of the gestational sac in early pregnancy due to various factors, with no fetal heartbeat detected on an ultrasound at 9 weeks of pregnancy. When embryonic arrest occurs, a natural miscarriage may happen, but it's also possible that a natural miscarriage won't occur. Once embryonic arrest is confirmed, waiting for a natural miscarriage isn't advisable, as it is unpredictable and sometimes there might be no signs of miscarriage for a long time. Unrestricted waiting in such cases can harm a woman's body. Therefore, once embryonic arrest is diagnosed, hospitalization should be promptly sought, and artificial intervention methods such as surgical or medical abortion should be considered. While there is a possibility that the embryo could be expelled naturally, the likelihood is relatively low.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Is embryonic arrest related to diet?

Embryo arrest, also known as missed miscarriage, refers to the absence of a fetal heartbeat in the early stages of pregnancy due to various factors affecting the gestational sac. Typically, if no fetal heartbeat and embryo are detected during an ultrasound at about 8 to 9 weeks of pregnancy, it can be diagnosed as embryo arrest. Currently, there are many reasons for embryo arrest in clinical practice, but many pregnant women look for causes in their daily life, such as diet and exercise. However, these factors are largely unrelated to embryo arrest. While diet plays a very important role in human health, the growth and development of an embryo are mainly influenced by its own genetic material, endocrine, and coagulation factors, which are generally unrelated to diet. Therefore, when embryo arrest occurs, one should not look for reasons in diet or other daily life factors; instead, it is advisable to undergo targeted medical examinations to determine the specific cause.