Does a missed miscarriage have any symptoms?

Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
Updated on November 03, 2024
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Embryo arrest, also known as missed abortion, refers to the influence of various factors on the growth and development of the gestational sac in early pregnancy, resulting in the absence of a fetal heartbeat. In the early stages, embryo arrest is imperceptible, as it often shows no signs. It is incorrect for some women to judge embryo arrest based on the presence of abdominal pain or changes in pregnancy reactions. Reactions to embryo arrest only appear after a certain period. When the embryo has been arrested for a longer period, the body may treat the gestational sac as a foreign object and attempt to expel it. This situation may present symptoms of threatened miscarriage, such as abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. Under these circumstances, one can visit the hospital for an ultrasound to assess the condition of the fetal heartbeat. The absence of a fetal heartbeat confirms the presence of embryo arrest.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Will the embryo still grow if the embryo has stopped developing?

When embryonic arrest occurs, the embryo will no longer grow. There are many causes for embryonic arrest, such as congenital developmental defects of the gestational sac, abnormalities in the fertilized egg, congenital genetic diseases, and chromosomal abnormalities, all of which can easily lead to the cessation of embryonic development. At this time, regular observation of the embryonic tissue, which will no longer continue to grow and no fetal heartbeat is present, can confirm the condition of embryonic arrest. It is recommended to proceed with further treatment, such as medical abortion or surgical abortion. After the abortion, it is important to rest and enhance nutrition. It is also advised to have a thorough pregnancy check-up before the next pregnancy attempt to prevent recurrence of embryonic arrest.

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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 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 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.