During the period of carrying the baby, every woman worries that the development of the fetus may stop. Unfortunately, this sometimes happens. In about one in three cases after fertilization, a dead pregnancy is diagnosed. Symptoms in the first trimester may be different. It is about them that this article will tell you. You will find out what causes a missed pregnancy in the first trimester, and also find out about methods of diagnosis and treatment.
What it is?
What are the signs of a frozen pregnancy in the first trimester? Symptoms of the pathology will be described later. To begin with, it’s worth saying what it is.
Fading in pregnancy is the cessation of its progression. The fetus at some stage simply ceases to develop, but does not undergo the reverse change. As a result, its decomposition and rotting of the masses may begin. It is very dangerous.
Causes of pathology
Why does a frozen pregnancy occur in the first trimester or later? Pathology may occur due to some diseases. Virus infection is especially dangerous. These diseases include rubella, influenza, acute respiratory infections, toxoplasmosis and others. Often the fetus undergoes changes incompatible with further development due to diseases such as chlamydia, trichomoniasis, mycoplasmosis and so on. These pathologies are sexually transmitted. That is why the cause of a frozen pregnancy can be called a frequent change of sexual partners.
A variety of uterine pathologies can lead to a dead pregnancy in the first trimester. Signs of it can appear immediately or be hidden for a long time. Often, the cessation of embryo development occurs due to previous abortions, diagnostic interventions, and other manipulations on the genital area. Also, these include congenital or acquired pathologies of other organs and systems. The hormonal background plays an important role in this problem.
Another reason for a missed pregnancy can be called genetic abnormalities. Often, such a fruit dies even in the very early stages. At the same time, the woman does not even have time to find out about her new position. In some cases, the pathology develops due to external influences. For example, if the expectant mother uses alcohol, drugs or leads an inappropriate lifestyle.
Frozen pregnancy: symptoms in the first trimester
The most reliable symptom that the fetus no longer develops is its lack of a heartbeat. It is worth noting that in the early stages this can only be checked using ultrasound diagnostics. Over long periods, such manipulation can be performed using a special sensor or cardiotocography apparatus.
During the study, the specialist always compares the estimated duration and size of the embryo. Much attention is paid to the fetal egg. Also, an examination is performed on the area of the corpus luteum. Frozen pregnancy in the first trimester signs of ultrasound has the following:
- mismatch in the size and duration of pregnancy;
- in some cases, the embryo is completely absent;
- contraction of the heart muscle is not determined;
- additional defects are established (absence of the corpus luteum, the presence of detachment, and so on).
It is worth noting that without ultrasound diagnostics it is impossible to talk about these signs. This method of examination is considered the most reliable in the formulation of the described diagnosis. Consider what kind of frozen pregnancy symptoms in the first trimester has yet.
Abdominal pain
Up to 70 percent of missed pregnancies are accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen. They develop due to the fact that the body tries to reject the pathological fetal egg on its own . In this way, a person’s self-preservation system works. Pain arises as a result of the fact that the production of certain hormones stops. The uterus becomes more sensitive and begins to contract, the cervical canal slightly changes its position and expands. A woman may experience unpleasant pulling sensations in the lower abdomen or feel severe cramping pains. Each situation is individual and does not depend on the duration of pregnancy.
It is worth saying that such sensations often arise with the threat of interruption. If in the woman’s body these or those hormones are insufficiently secreted, and also under the influence of other factors, a reduction in the genital organ may begin. This process may be reversible in the early stages. It is only necessary to take the appropriate drugs and observe the prescription of doctors. That is why it is so important to seek help from a doctor in case of pain in the lower abdomen at the earliest possible dates and later.
Discharges from the genital tract of a different nature
What are the signs of a frozen pregnancy in the first trimester? A symptom of the development of pathology can be called vaginal discharge. During pregnancy, especially in the early stages, their number increases. This is considered the norm. However, the color of such a liquid should be clear or milky. Impurities of blood, pus and other substances are recognized as pathology. They should be the reason for immediate medical attention.
Bloody discharge may indicate that the process of rejection of the fetal egg has already begun. As a result, small capillaries are damaged. When bleeding gains strength, we can talk about a progressive spontaneous abortion. In the presence of purulent discharge, there may be a suspicion that the fetus died away for a long time, and the process of its decomposition has already begun. It is worth noting that, as in the last paragraph, these signs can only indicate the threat of abortion. The sooner you seek the help of a gynecologist, the greater the chance of saving the child.
Sensations in the area of mammary glands
What other signs of a frozen pregnancy have? Symptoms of the pathology can manifest as the disappearance of soreness and sensitivity of the mammary glands.
Under the influence of the pregnancy hormone (progesterone), the process of preparing for breastfeeding begins immediately after fertilization. The mammary glands will undergo changes throughout the duration of pregnancy. At first, the breast becomes larger, it acquires a special sensitivity. Some women even experience pain. All these symptoms persist until approximately 12 to 16 weeks. It is then that the placenta begins to work. A sharp disappearance of breast sensitivity may indicate that there has been a stop in the development of the fetus.
Toxicosis and its absence
What are the signs of a frozen pregnancy in the first trimester? A photo of the embryo is presented to your attention in the article.
Most expectant mothers are faced with toxicosis. It appears within a few weeks after fertilization and can be more or less strong. Reliable reasons for this condition still can not be stated.
A sudden cessation of severe toxicosis may indicate that the pregnancy has stopped. This symptom is indirect, but, like all of the above, requires additional diagnosis and confirmation. It is worth saying that some future mothers do not experience such sensations at all. They safely tolerate the first stages of pregnancy. This does not mean that there is a risk of a missed pregnancy.
Basal body temperature
What are the signs of a still frozen pregnancy in the first trimester? The causes of the pathology have already become known to you. Another symptom of the problem is a decrease in high basal temperature. If you watched the work of your body in this way, you may notice that immediately after ovulation there is an increase in the level of the thermometer. After fertilization and implantation, it can become even higher. So, the average value of the basal temperature in expectant mothers is 37 - 37.2 degrees. If the graph line suddenly drops to 36 - 36.5 degrees, then we can talk about a frozen pregnancy.
It is worth noting that this sign can only be checked by those women who previously conducted appropriate observations. The initial measurement in most cases is unreliable, because you will have nothing to compare.
Fever
Another sign of a missed pregnancy is an increase in body temperature. It occurs due to the fact that the fetus located in the uterus begins to gradually decompose. It is worth noting that this symptom appears during a long course of the process. This can be very dangerous for a woman.
If you have a high fever, and also have the additional signs described above, then you should immediately run to the hospital, and it is better to call an ambulance. The slightest delay in sepsis can lead to the death of a woman.
How to find out about a frozen pregnancy before an ultrasound?
If you have suspicions of a non-developing pregnancy, then only an ultrasound scan can confirm them. Any indirect signs cannot be a reason for making a diagnosis, remember this.
There are studies that can help you find out about a problem before you diagnose it. This is a blood test. During the study, the amount of chorionic gonadotropin in your blood is determined. Results are checked against generally accepted standards. Based on this, you can judge whether your real life is in line with the intended one. For a more accurate diagnosis, it is recommended to conduct a study several times with an interval of three or five days.
Frozen pregnancy in the first trimester: treatment
If you find out about the presence of this pathology, then it must be eliminated as soon as possible. In most cases, gynecological curettage is performed. For short periods, it is possible to use other methods of cleansing the uterus, for example, medical abortion or vacuum aspiration. In some situations, when abortion (bleeding) begins, doctors choose a wait-and-see tactic. If a complete cleansing of the uterus does not occur within a few days, then the patient is offered a cleansing. What are the consequences of a frozen pregnancy in the first trimester?
In most cases, the pathology does not affect the patient's future life and fertility. Only in especially severe cases can we talk about acquired infertility. Usually, the fairer sex is capable of a new pregnancy within 3 to 6 months after the incident. Often, after a manipulation, a woman is prescribed medications to correct the condition. It can be antibiotics, immunomodulators, funds for the restoration of microflora, and so on.
Instead of concluding an article, or a short summary
You found out what the frozen pregnancy has in the first trimester of the cause. This is a very unpleasant phenomenon. It is especially hard for those women who want to give birth to a baby for a long time, but they fail. If the situation with a frozen pregnancy is repeated more than two times, then the representative of the weaker sex, like her partner, is shown a consultation of a hematologist and genetics. In such situations, it is worth starting a full examination and finding the reason why conception occurs, but the embryo at some stage simply ceases to develop. I wish you good health and success!