Embryonic arrest means

Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
Updated on September 05, 2024
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Embryonic arrest, as the name implies, refers to the cessation of embryo development. In clinical practice, it is also called fibroid miscarriage. Embryonic arrest is a pathological condition. Normally, in the early stages of pregnancy, as activity increases, the gestational sac gradually begins to show a yolk sac, embryo bud, and fetal heartbeat. If the fetal heartbeat is still not visible after a certain period, it indicates that the gestational sac is in a state of decay and that the embryo has stopped developing. Generally, 9 weeks of pregnancy is considered the final deadline for diagnosis. If no fetal heartbeat is detected during an ultrasound at 9 weeks of pregnancy, it can be diagnosed as embryonic arrest. Once diagnosed, it is advisable to proceed with an abortion as soon as possible to minimize harm to the woman’s body. If embryonic arrest occurs consecutively more than twice, a thorough examination of both partners should be conducted to determine the cause, to guide the next pregnancy.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Embryonic arrest means

Embryonic arrest, as the name implies, refers to the cessation of embryo development. In clinical practice, it is also called fibroid miscarriage. Embryonic arrest is a pathological condition. Normally, in the early stages of pregnancy, as activity increases, the gestational sac gradually begins to show a yolk sac, embryo bud, and fetal heartbeat. If the fetal heartbeat is still not visible after a certain period, it indicates that the gestational sac is in a state of decay and that the embryo has stopped developing. Generally, 9 weeks of pregnancy is considered the final deadline for diagnosis. If no fetal heartbeat is detected during an ultrasound at 9 weeks of pregnancy, it can be diagnosed as embryonic arrest. Once diagnosed, it is advisable to proceed with an abortion as soon as possible to minimize harm to the woman’s body. If embryonic arrest occurs consecutively more than twice, a thorough examination of both partners should be conducted to determine the cause, to guide the next pregnancy.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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How to handle bleeding due to embryonic arrest?

If it has already been determined that the embryo has ceased to develop and significant vaginal bleeding has occurred, it is likely that the bleeding is caused by uterine contractions stimulated by the halted embryonic development. In this case, it is first necessary to seek medical attention promptly. After confirming the halted development of the embryo, it is important to perform a surgical abortion promptly to completely remove all tissues associated with the ceased embryonic development, reducing the occurrence of post-abortion bleeding. After the surgery, it is also necessary to promptly use antibiotics to prevent infections within the uterine cavity.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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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.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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What are the causes of embryonic arrest?

If an embryonic arrest is discovered, there are many specific reasons for the arrest. Firstly, the main reason for embryonic arrest is due to congenital abnormalities in the formation and development of the fertilized egg, which is a relatively common situation. Moreover, embryonic arrest usually occurs early when there are developmental abnormalities. In some cases, it may be caused by maternal factors, such as abnormal diseases in the mother or abnormalities in chromosomes, which can lead to poor embryonic development and subsequently cause embryonic arrest. Occasionally, issues related to the viability of the male sperm, or the presence of abnormal sperm, may also lead to embryonic arrest. Because there are many reasons for embryonic arrest, it is generally not possible to systematically investigate the specific causes.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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What should I do if the embryo stops developing?

After the diagnosis of embryonic arrest, it is necessary to terminate the pregnancy promptly. One can choose to undergo a uterine curettage or opt for medical abortion. Depending on the gestational age and the size of the fetus, an appropriate method of pregnancy termination should be selected. If the embryonic arrest is not expelled promptly, it could lead to a myomatous miscarriage, which easily causes gynecological infections and severe bleeding, and may even lead to hemorrhagic shock. This poses a significant risk to life safety. After embryonic arrest, it is advisable to promptly visit a hospital for consultation and examination. After undergoing an abortion surgery, it is important to rest, enhance nutrition, and avoid overexertion.