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

Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
Updated on September 02, 2024
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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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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 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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What to do about abdominal pain caused by embryonic arrest?

After discovering an embryonic arrest accompanied by abdominal pain, it is important to observe whether there is vaginal bleeding or expulsion of embryonic tissue. If the embryo is not expelled in time, an immediate uterine evacuation surgery is necessary to avoid the risk of intrauterine infection and impact on health. After the surgery, it is important to rest, enhance nutrition, and eat foods rich in vitamins and proteins. Moreover, a week later, a visit to the hospital for an ultrasound should be conducted to check if the expulsion was complete and to understand the recovery status of the uterus.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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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.

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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.