What are the reasons for two instances of embryonic arrest?

Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
Updated on September 07, 2024
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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 Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Will the embryo still grow if the embryo has ceased development?

Embryo arrest, also known as missed abortion, refers to the condition in early pregnancy where, due to congenital developmental defects in the gestational sac or other influencing factors, natural development does not occur, resulting in the absence of a fetal heartbeat. Once embryo arrest has been diagnosed, the embryo generally does not continue to grow, because embryo arrest means that the gestational sac has died and is gradually decaying. If a subsequent ultrasound check reveals that the embryo may have grown slightly since the previous examination, this should not be considered as growth continuation of the embryo, but rather attributed to measurement error. Therefore, once embryo arrest is detected and meets diagnostic criteria, timely re-examination may show some lengthening of the embryo. However, in the absence of a fetal heartbeat, it still needs to be treated as embryo arrest, and an abortion procedure should be promptly performed.

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Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
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Do you need to be hospitalized for uterine evacuation after a missed miscarriage?

The criteria for diagnosing embryo arrest generally involve the appearance of the embryonic bud and heart tube between six to eight weeks. If these are not visible beyond eight weeks, the situation is referred to as embryonic arrest. Embryonic arrest requires abortion, which for safety reasons typically involves hospitalization and a combination of medication and uterine evacuation. However, if the gestational sac is relatively small, an outpatient abortion procedure might be sufficient. Whether hospitalization is necessary should be assessed by a doctor, who will consider factors such as previous scar pregnancies, the condition of a scarred uterus, and the size of the current gestational sac, to make a comprehensive decision.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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Does an embryonic arrest still have pregnancy reactions?

After a normal miscarriage, hormone levels do not suddenly drop to a non-pregnant state, so pregnancy reactions may still occur. Simply based on the current state of pregnancy reactions, it is not possible to accurately judge the developmental condition of the embryo in the uterine cavity. It is still necessary to undergo regular prenatal checks after becoming pregnant and monitor the development of the embryo in the uterine cavity via ultrasound. If the embryo has already stopped developing, it is necessary to seek medical treatment for an abortion in a timely manner to avoid causing disorders in the body's coagulation function.

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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 Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Why are there still reactions when the embryo is arrested?

After an occurrence of embryonic arrest, some early pregnancy reactions in pregnant women will gradually ease but not disappear immediately. This is mainly related to elevated hormone levels in the body. Even after the embryonic arrest, the hormone levels in the body remain relatively high. As the arrested embryo is expelled from the body, the hormone levels will gradually decrease, and some early pregnancy reactions will also gradually ease. Generally, these adverse reactions will gradually ease and eventually disappear about a week after the embryo is expelled from the body.