Is a threatened miscarriage the same as a biochemical pregnancy?

Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
Updated on September 12, 2024
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Threatened miscarriage and biochemical pregnancy are two important terms used to describe the state of pregnancy in early stages, but they are two completely different physiological states.

First, threatened miscarriage refers to a situation where an intrauterine pregnancy has been confirmed and the gestational sac is unstable or affected by external stimuli, showing symptoms such as lower abdominal pain and spotting. These symptoms merely indicate signs of a possible miscarriage, and with timely treatment, it is possible to revert to a normal pregnancy.

Second, a biochemical pregnancy is a type of natural miscarriage. It refers to early pregnancy where the HCG levels are relatively low, no clear gestational sac has formed, and upon re-examination, the HCG levels are found to decrease quickly, accompanied only by minimal vaginal bleeding.

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Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How long should one rest in bed for a threatened miscarriage?

The duration of bed rest for threatened miscarriage varies from person to person. It depends on the patient's clinical symptoms. Generally, one should rest until there is no vaginal bleeding for a week before starting to get out of bed and move around. This is because the typical clinical symptom of threatened miscarriage is minor vaginal bleeding. During this time, in addition to bed rest, it is advisable to take some progestogen medication for miscarriage prevention treatment. After successful miscarriage prevention, most people will see the disappearance of clinical symptoms. Then, one week after the symptoms disappear, they may gradually start getting out of bed but should still avoid intense physical activities.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Will there be stomach pain in a threatened miscarriage?

In general, when threatened miscarriage occurs, pregnant women often experience abdominal pain. This pain is usually a dull ache in the lower abdomen, similar to the pain experienced during menstrual cramps. If the symptoms of threatened miscarriage are severe and the pain is quite pronounced, miscarriage may occur. This type of pain is mainly caused by contractions of the uterus. Besides abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding often accompanies this condition, which can also lead to miscarriage. When threatened miscarriage occurs, it is essential to rest in bed, reduce physical activity, avoid emotional stress, and consider visiting a hospital for an ultrasound to observe the development of the gestational sac.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Can a threatened miscarriage have a transvaginal ultrasound?

Whether or not to perform a transvaginal ultrasound during a threatened miscarriage mainly depends on the symptoms of the threatened miscarriage. A threatened miscarriage refers to the signs of a potential miscarriage, with common symptoms including vaginal bleeding and severe abdominal pain. If there is significant abdominal pain, a transvaginal ultrasound can be performed to determine the position of the gestational sac, or an abdominal ultrasound can also be done. If there is vaginal bleeding, performing a transvaginal ultrasound in this case may aggravate stimulation to the uterus and can easily lead to vaginal inflammation. In such cases, an abdominal ultrasound is generally recommended. Therefore, a transvaginal ultrasound can be performed if there is only abdominal pain during a threatened miscarriage, but it should not be done if there is concurrent vaginal bleeding.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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What should I do if the threatened miscarriage is not completely miscarried?

When there is a threatened miscarriage and the miscarriage is not complete, the treatment method needs to be determined based on the size of the residual tissue. It is recommended to first go to the hospital for an ultrasound to evaluate the amount of residual tissue in the uterus. If the residual tissue is relatively small, it can generally be treated with oral medications that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, which helps the uterus contract and aids in the expulsion of the remaining tissue. However, if the residual tissue is large and medication is ineffective, a repeat uterine curettage may be necessary. Therefore, when there is residual tissue in the uterine cavity, it must be dealt with promptly, otherwise it can lead to repeated vaginal bleeding, decrease the body's resistance, and increase the risk of anemia and infections.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Is a threatened miscarriage considered a miscarriage?

Threatened miscarriage is not actually a miscarriage. If handled properly, it is possible to successfully preserve the pregnancy. However, if not treated in time, it could develop into an inevitable miscarriage. During a threatened miscarriage, the fetal heartbeat and embryonic tissue are generally normal, and there may be minor vaginal bleeding or slight lower abdominal pain. At this time, it is crucial to go to the hospital for an ultrasound and have blood tests for progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin. If the fetal heartbeat and embryo are normal, then treatment to preserve the pregnancy is needed. At this time, it is important to rest, reduce activity, and avoid any vigorous exercise.