Is embryonic arrest common?

Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
Updated on September 05, 2024
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Embryonic Arrest, also known as missed abortion, refers to a condition in early pregnancy where the gestational sac does not develop normally. By the end of the ninth week of pregnancy, no definitive fetal heartbeat can be seen on an ultrasound. Recently, embryonic arrest has become relatively more common in clinical practice, primarily due to various life stresses and the impact of various chemicals. Additionally, the age at which women are having children is gradually increasing, with many women over 30, and even over 35, having their first child. These women, being older, tend to have poorer egg quality, thus increasing the likelihood of embryonic arrest. Women who have previously experienced embryonic arrest should make comprehensive pre-pregnancy preparations and undergo appropriate tests, as well as seek pre-pregnancy guidance to increase the chances of a successful future pregnancy.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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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.

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Written by Liu Wen Li
Obstetrics
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What happens if there is embryonic arrest without miscarriage?

If an embryo stops developing but is not miscarried, the retained embryonic tissue can disrupt the clotting function in the pregnant woman’s body over time, leading to a condition called a missed miscarriage. Therefore, after a missed miscarriage occurs, it is important to check the duration it has been retained. If it has been a considerable amount of time, clotting function should be examined. If clotting is still within normal ranges, it is crucial to expedite the process allowing the woman to expel the non-viable embryonic tissue as soon as possible, which is beneficial for her health.

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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 Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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Do you need to have an abortion if the embryo stops developing?

During prenatal check-ups, if it is indicated that the embryo has ceased to develop, it is necessary to treat the condition promptly. Normally, after the embryo has stopped developing, a detailed examination of the body is required to determine the current health status and to exclude potential complications such as coagulation dysfunction caused by the failed pregnancy. If everything is within the normal range, it is still recommended to promptly proceed with an abortion surgery to completely remove the embryo from the body to prevent long-term retention of embryonic tissue in the uterine cavity, which could lead to infections. After the abortion, it is also necessary to closely monitor the recovery of the uterine appendages and, if necessary, provide anti-inflammatory treatment as appropriate.

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

Embryonic arrest refers to a condition during early pregnancy, around 9-10 weeks, where no fetal heartbeat is detected. In clinical practice, there are many causes of embryonic arrest, including chromosomal abnormalities, uterine malformations, infections, immune factors, and coagulation factors. However, many women do not investigate these reasons after experiencing embryonic arrest. Instead, they look for causes in their daily lives, such as dietary factors or emotional factors. In reality, embryonic arrest is generally not closely related to everyday life factors. Even if emotions fluctuate, such as becoming irritable or easily provoked, which might affect the gestational sac, such impacts usually manifest as symptoms of threatened miscarriage, but generally do not lead to embryonic arrest. Therefore, there is generally no correlation between embryonic arrest and emotional states.