Embryonic arrest generally occurs at what time?

Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
Updated on September 06, 2024
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First, let's discuss what embryonic arrest means. There are two scenarios of embryonic arrest. The first scenario is where the embryo initially does not develop well, leading to the cessation of development in the very early stages of pregnancy. The second scenario occurs when the embryo initially develops well, but after a period, embryonic arrest happens. Therefore, embryonic arrest generally occurs during early pregnancy but can also occur later, around the middle of early pregnancy. It can happen at any time, but it is most commonly identified after 8 weeks. However, some cases involve the presence of an embryonic bud and heart tube, and embryonic arrest can still occur even at 10 or 11 weeks.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Will the embryo still grow if the embryo has ceased development?

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 Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Is a painless abortion painful for a missed miscarriage?

After an embryonic arrest occurs, it is necessary to terminate the pregnancy promptly, and a painless abortion surgery can be chosen. During the abortion surgery, anesthetic drugs are administered, usually intravenous anesthesia. During the procedure, the patient is in a sleeping state, completely unconscious, and therefore does not feel any pain. Generally, a few minutes after the surgery, the effect of the anesthetic wears off quickly and the patient will wake up. Therefore, patients can rest assured, especially for women who are particularly sensitive to pain, using painless abortion can reduce their fear and alleviate some of the pain during the procedure.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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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.

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Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
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What are the reasons for two instances of embryonic arrest?

According to current medical viewpoints, there are various reasons for embryonic arrest, but in 50% of cases, the cause is unknown. Identified causes can generally be divided into several categories such as chromosomal issues, maternal metabolic issues including thyroid disorders, diabetes, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Additionally, immune factors such as lupus erythematosus or Sjögren's syndrome, along with abnormal antibodies, are also reasons. Furthermore, abnormal maternal anatomical structures, like abnormal uterine development, can lead to embryonic arrest. Paternal factors, such as abnormal sperm, can also result in embryonic arrest. Upon encountering embryonic arrest, if it occurs once, it can be observed initially. However, if there are two or more instances, comprehensive examinations for both partners are necessary, including chromosomal tests.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Can a miscarried embryo be expelled naturally?

Embryonic arrest refers to the lack of natural development of the gestational sac in early pregnancy, characterized by the absence of a fetal heartbeat. If there is still no fetal heartbeat or embryo detected during an ultrasound at 8-9 weeks of pregnancy, it should be diagnosed as embryonic arrest. After embryonic arrest occurs, the vast majority require medical intervention. Of course, some cases of embryonic arrest can resolve naturally, leading to a miscarriage. However, this is not a reliable occurrence and is relatively rare in clinical practice. Moreover, the longer the wait, the greater the potential harm to the woman's health. For embryonic arrest, once diagnosed, it is urgent to intervene medically to remove the gestational sac from the uterus, minimizing harm to the woman. Common methods include medical abortion or a dilation and curettage surgery, either of which can be chosen.