What should I do if the embryo stops developing?

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on May 16, 2025
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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.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Can embryonic arrest be prevented in advance?

There are no absolute methods in medicine to prevent embryonic arrest in advance, but we can intervene to some extent, such as by conducting pre-pregnancy check-ups. Both spouses should undergo comprehensive examinations at a hospital to see if there are any physical abnormalities that could affect pregnancy. It is also important to avoid exposure to harmful substances during pregnancy, such as working with hazardous materials, exposure to radiation, and consuming contaminated food. Additionally, pregnant individuals should quit smoking, abstain from alcohol, relax, maintain an optimistic attitude, and actively exercise to enhance their immune system.

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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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What will the vaginal discharge be like if the embryo stops developing?

During prenatal check-ups, if there are indications that embryonic arrest has occurred, timely symptomatic treatment is still necessary. Normally, embryonic arrest does not affect vaginal discharge, so the nature of the discharge alone cannot be used to determine whether the embryonic development in the uterus is healthy. After confirming embryonic arrest, it is generally advised to promptly undergo an artificial abortion to completely expel the embryo from the body, to avoid long-term retention which could lead to disorders such as coagulation dysfunction. After the miscarriage due to embryonic arrest, further examination to determine the specific cause of the arrest is necessary, in order to treat the condition promptly and appropriately.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Will the gestational sac shrink if the embryo stops developing?

Embryo arrest, also known as missed abortion, refers to a condition in the early stages of pregnancy where the gestational sac does not develop normally due to various factors. Generally, the gestational sac will not begin to shrink until the embryo has been arrested for a considerable period. In the initial stages of embryo arrest, since the duration is relatively short, the trophoblastic cells within the gestational sac can still secrete estrogens, progesterone, and chorionic gonadotropin. These hormones stimulate the possible continued growth of the gestational sac in the short term. However, as the duration of the embryo arrest extends, the proliferation of the trophoblastic cells decreases, leading to a decline in hormone levels in the body. This reduces the stimulation to the gestational sac, causing it to gradually shrink, decrease in size, and possibly leading to a natural miscarriage.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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What are the reasons for embryonic arrest with no fetal heartbeat?

Embryonic arrest without a fetal heartbeat can be caused by many factors. For example, taking medications prohibited during pregnancy, exposure to harmful substances, radiation, or infections with bacteria or viruses during pregnancy. Other factors include genetic issues and poor emotional state of the pregnant woman during pregnancy. All these factors can affect the normal development of the embryo. If an ultrasound examination reveals no fetal heartbeat, it can be determined that the embryo has ceased to develop, and prompt treatment should be carried out.