A frozen pregnancy

A frozen pregnancy is a pathology as a result of which the fetus stops developing. This happens quite often and there are reasons for everything.

These can be both diseases and infections in the body. In addition, the woman's Rh factor, her age and general condition play a major role. This phenomenon will be discussed in more detail below.

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Statistics of frozen pregnancy

This phenomenon can occur at different ages and for a number of specific reasons. But there are certain statistics that show the most unfavorable periods.

Thus, a frozen pregnancy can develop in the early stages. Naturally, it also occurs in later stages, but the first trimester itself carries an increased risk. The fact is that a woman's body is exposed to negative external factors. Therefore, a frozen pregnancy can easily occur against the background of infections and other diseases. In addition, if a woman has problems with the thyroid gland, cardiovascular system, or diabetes, the risk increases several times.

If we take into account age "restrictions", then this category includes women with late pregnancy, namely at the age of 40. This is if we put aside diseases, infections, etc., and take only years as a basis.

In general, this phenomenon can occur at any time. But a particular risk of its occurrence is observed after 40 years, and in the presence of pathologies, diseases and various infections.

Causes of frozen pregnancy

There are many reasons for the development of a frozen pregnancy.

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Infectious factor

In the early stages, there is a high probability of fetal infection. This phenomenon often causes a frozen pregnancy. Therefore, it is very important to monitor your own health at this time. According to statistics, infection can harm both the mother's and the child's body. With a bacterial-viral infection, the mother may develop disorders in the endocrine glands. This situation can lead to the cessation of embryo development, as well as its death. Particularly dangerous infections are intestinal, viral, fungal and pathogenic. Even common herpes is at risk.

Immunological factor

The endometrium contains immune system cells. If there are too many of them or they develop inadequately, all this can cause a frozen pregnancy. The fact is that any developing process in the uterus leads to a disruption of blood circulation. This is why the immune response is distorted. Autoimmune diseases also have a negative effect on pregnancy. They can prevent the full implantation of a fertilized egg.

Chromosomal abnormalities in partners

This phenomenon can disrupt the correct divergence of chromosomes. Moreover, during this action, the embryo may be absent or have defects. In almost 98% of cases, such a pregnancy does not develop. Translocation of chromosomes, which contributes to their division into several parts, as a result of which they change their position, can cause a frozen pregnancy. Blastopathy and embryopathy disrupt the formation of the fetus and its development.

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Endocrine factors

One of the most important roles during pregnancy is played by the formation and functioning of the corpus luteum. Even minor changes can lead to disruption of the embryo's development. Which leads to its internal death. A small threat of a frozen pregnancy also remains if a woman has diabetes. Therefore, before planning a pregnancy, the expectant mother must be constantly under the supervision of an endocrinologist-gynecologist. Any disruptions in the thyroid gland lead to the development of a frozen pregnancy. But if this process is carried out correctly and is constantly under the supervision of a doctor, then this phenomenon is not at all scary.

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Genetic causes of frozen pregnancy

Genetic causes of frozen pregnancy play one of the leading roles in this process. Chromosomal abnormalities can cause disturbances in the development of the embryo. All this occurs in the early stages of pregnancy and leads to the suspension of the development process. The fact is that the embryo may either be absent or have numerous defects.

Chromosome translocation can be transmitted only from one parent. This process is the division of a chromosome into several parts, as a result of which they change their position. Such an anomaly can be transmitted only by one of the parents and only if there were cases of frozen pregnancy in his family.

Blastopathy refers to inherited disorders of fetal development. This process occurs at an early stage of development. It is often associated with unfavorable external factors that have a negative impact on the mother's body. Embryopathy is a disorder in fetal development, in some cases leading to a frozen pregnancy.

This is why, before planning conception, you need to undergo an examination in order to exclude many factors that can interfere with its development.

Repeated frozen pregnancy

A repeated frozen pregnancy can manifest itself, but only in isolated cases. Thus, according to foreign studies, such a phenomenon occurs not only the first time, but also the second and third.

Abortion poses a great threat. Thus, if there was a spontaneous abortion, the risk of its occurrence a second time is 8%. When it comes to the third frozen pregnancy or even the fourth, this figure increases significantly and varies within 40-60%. The fact is that such a phenomenon, occurring in the early stages, is not amenable to any treatment. In this case, we mean disorders due to chromosomal abnormalities.

If the cause of this is genetic pathologies in the parents. For example, it may be a violation of the blood coagulation system, then some prevention is possible. Treatment tactics are selected on a strictly individual basis. Because without consulting a medical geneticist, it is not possible to solve the problem. A frozen pregnancy can be excluded if you start planning conception long before the process itself.

Frozen second pregnancy

A frozen second pregnancy is quite rare. Therefore, expectant mothers should not worry too much about this. But, before you completely calm down, you need to figure out the reason for the first frozen pregnancy. If all this happened at the genetic level, then you should not plan a second conception without the participation of a doctor.

In general, a second frozen pregnancy occurs rarely, its percentage is only 8%. There are no special reasons for concern, but at the same time you need to take care of yourself and regularly consult a doctor.

Any subsequent frozen pregnancy is considered an anomaly. The first time, this can happen for a number of reasons, the main ones being infectious diseases and genetic predisposition. In the first case, you need to monitor your own health more carefully, while in the second case, you need to be under constant observation.

The risk of its development increases significantly with each subsequent time.

Third frozen pregnancy

A third frozen pregnancy is not a very common occurrence, but despite this, the risk of its development increases several times.

The first frozen pregnancy occurs against the background of infectious diseases, genetic predisposition and other factors. The second and subsequent ones already against the background of a previously suffered pathology. That is why it is necessary to undergo an examination during pregnancy planning.

Naturally, this will not save you from infectious diseases. But it is worth noting that a frozen pregnancy occurs against the background of diabetes and problems with the thyroid gland. If a woman with such problems begins to plan her pregnancy correctly, together with an experienced doctor, then nothing terrible will happen.

The third frozen pregnancy occurs in 40% of cases. The percentage is quite high. Because we are talking about rather "severe" deviations in the woman's body. If the expectant mother has already encountered such a sad experience, then it is not recommended to plan subsequent pregnancies on her own.

Frozen pregnancy after 40 years

A frozen pregnancy after 40 years is quite common. Why does this happen and what is it connected with? The fact is that at this age the body is no longer capable of bearing a child.

This does not mean that you should immediately exclude such a thought. Pregnancy at this age is quite a complicated process. Some people fail to become happy mothers, while others achieve this without difficulty. Pregnancy at this age is practically no different from the childbearing period. You just need to be under the supervision of your doctor more.

During this period, frozen pregnancy often occurs. This is due to the fact that the woman's body has difficulty coping with this process. There is no need to panic, everything is actually not that bad.

What should a woman do to avoid this phenomenon? It's simple, you need to consult a doctor and follow his recommendations. It is important to come for checkups more often and be constantly under observation.

False frozen pregnancy

Unfortunately, this phenomenon is common. But often due to doctors' mistakes. In this case, it is not worth placing all the responsibility on them.

Thus, during the examination some changes may be noticed. Thus, the doctor may not hear the heartbeat or, based on preliminary measurements, diagnose the fact that the fetus is not developing.

What to do in this case? No need to panic right away, doctors are people too. Sometimes a false pregnancy occurs. In this case, it is recommended to visit another clinic so that they can conduct the same examination. It is quite possible that there was simply a mistake.

Naturally, such a combination of circumstances will spoil your nerves quite a bit. But let it be a mistake rather than the truth. You can have a couple of examinations at different clinics at once. If everything is confirmed, then we are talking about this pathology. When the diagnosis is refuted in another clinic, then you can safely put your worries aside.

Deadlines for frozen pregnancy

In fact, such a pathology can appear at any time. Everything depends solely on the characteristics of the woman's body and her "diseases".

But, despite this, there are the most common "dates" of its appearance. So, most often, freezing occurs at the time when the fetus is most vulnerable to negative factors. So, in the first trimester, these are 3-4 and 8-11 weeks. During this period, the fetus is just beginning its development. The mother's body is not able to provide it with the necessary protection and protect it from many infections.

Also, a frozen pregnancy can manifest itself at 16-18 weeks. But in this case, the risk is not so great. The most dangerous is considered to be the 8th week itself. Because during this period, the most important organs of the baby are laid.

Therefore, during these weeks you need to monitor your own health more carefully.

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Consequences of a frozen pregnancy

Naturally, this is a very serious trauma for a woman's body. Both physically and emotionally. Therefore, it will be quite difficult to pull yourself together.

The first thing you need to do is try to get into a positive frame of mind. Yes, it is difficult, but the desire to have a child is still there. Therefore, in order not to bring yourself to emotional exhaustion, you need to start the recovery process.

Now pregnancy must be planned together with the attending physician. In order for everything to go well, it is necessary to undergo an examination and if there are any deviations, they should be eliminated immediately.

It is worth remembering that a repeated frozen pregnancy can also happen. That is why you need to plan the next conception with your doctor. Moreover, you need to be under his constant supervision. In this case, it will be easier to avoid negative pathology.

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What to do in case of a frozen pregnancy?

First of all, you need to see a doctor so that he can refute or diagnose this pathology.

Naturally, in many cases a woman can independently determine the presence of this pathology in herself. There is pain in the lower abdomen, which radiates to the lower back. In addition, the breasts become rough, and the discharge is abundant. There may also be discharge from the vagina, they are very similar to menstruation.

What to do if this has been discovered? The first thing to do is to see a doctor. He will conduct diagnostics and identify this pathology. After which an abortion is performed or artificial labor is induced. In this case, everything depends on the gestational age. This procedure does not include anything else.

Then comes the rehabilitation process and after some time the woman can think about pregnancy again. Only this time, everything will be under the supervision of a doctor.

Treatment of frozen pregnancy

This process begins immediately after the pathology is diagnosed. Because the presence of a dead fetus in the uterine cavity poses a threat to the woman's health. In some cases, this can lead to death.

Therefore, it is necessary to artificially terminate the pregnancy and remove the dead fetus. After which a whole course of treatment procedures for recovery is prescribed. Moreover, complex anti-inflammatory treatment is mandatory. It includes antibacterial, hormonal, immune-correcting and symptomatic therapy. In addition, you cannot do without general strengthening treatment.

All these procedures are able to completely restore the endometrium and allow a woman to become pregnant again. In addition, the woman's psycho-emotional state should be normalized.

More detailed information on this issue is provided by the attending physician. He also prescribes the necessary medications and monitors the woman's condition in every possible way. Because a frozen pregnancy is a strong stress for the body, it is not so easy to restore it.

Curettage in case of frozen pregnancy

Curettage in case of a frozen pregnancy is performed only if everything happened at an early stage. This procedure is similar to an abortion.

In the early stages, when a frozen pregnancy has been detected, they resort directly to such a procedure. It is painless and the most common. It cannot be performed at later stages. Because the fetus is partially formed and there is no way to extract it in this way. In this case, artificial labor is induced. This process is less dangerous than curettage.

The curettage procedure carries some danger, because there is a risk of not having children in the future. But if a woman has an abortion for some personal reasons, then in this case it is simply a forced measure. It is impossible to carry a dead fetus, it can lead to health problems.

Further planning of conception in this case is carried out only under the supervision of a doctor.

Vacuum aspiration in case of frozen pregnancy

Vacuum aspiration in case of a frozen pregnancy allows painlessly getting rid of the pathology. Thus, the girl, under anesthesia, undergoes an operation. Often this process is called a mini-abortion.

Everything is done quite quickly and painlessly. Such a procedure is performed exclusively in the early stages. Because the fetus is not yet formed and is easily removed from the uterus. In the later stages, the procedure is not performed, here only artificial labor is used.

This operation takes about 30 minutes. Everything is very fast and painless. You can choose either local or general anesthesia. But the latter is simply not necessary. But if a woman is not mentally able to withstand it, then it is better to resort to general anesthesia. In general, the vacuum aspiration procedure is the most gentle and fast method.

A frozen pregnancy is a serious pathology. It is important to diagnose it in time and "remove it". Because it is impossible to carry a dead child for a long time, it can harm the woman's health.

Prevention of frozen pregnancy

It is important to understand that pregnancy planning is a complex process. You can't leave things to chance. Especially if you've already had a frozen pregnancy once.

If there are any diseases, it is necessary to alleviate the condition a little. Thus, it is recommended to undergo a full examination immediately before conception. It is advisable to pass all the tests in order to exclude the possibility of developing some pathologies. In addition, if a woman suffers from any diseases, including diabetes, then it is necessary to carefully monitor the entire process. People with problems of the cardiovascular system, as well as the thyroid gland, are at risk.

So, a special risk of miscarriage is observed in the first trimester. During this period, you need to carefully monitor your health. Because the risk is really very high. In addition, it is necessary to constantly be under the supervision of a doctor and follow his recommendations. Only in this case, no frozen pregnancy will be scary.