Why does fetal development stop? Who is experiencing this? Is it possible to have a baby later? – Every woman, planning to become a mother, asks these questions. The pathology is quite rare (1 case in 180). The reasons for the death of an embryo can be very different, the main ones are presented below:
- Genetic abnormalities;
- Hormonal imbalances;
- Gestation as a result of IVF;
- Infections;
- History of abortion;
- Twins, triplets;
- Unfavorable environment.
For expectant mothers, especially those who have already dealt with developmental arrest, recovery from a frozen pregnancy is a very pressing issue.
Restoring the body after a frozen pregnancy
First of all, you need to understand that it is possible to give birth to a child in the future: 90% of women who survive fetal death subsequently successfully give birth to a healthy baby. However, it must be remembered that the age of the expectant mother plays a very important role: at 18-25 years old, the percentage of manifestations of this pathology in pregnant women is only 10-15%, and at 40-45 – 50%.
The second issue that worries potential parents is the recovery period after a missed pregnancy. It should be noted that this period is individual for each person, and many factors can influence it:
- Age;
- Presence of gynecological, genetic and other diseases;
- Lifestyle;
- Taking medications;
- Having bad habits.
The minimum recovery period is six months. During this period, the couple should definitely use contraceptives in order to prevent conception.
Recovery after cleansing a frozen pregnancy
If the fetus is dead, it can come out of the body on its own, but most often you have to go through a procedure such as curettage. This process is considered quite painful for a pregnant woman.
A slight temperature (up to 37.4), moderate abdominal pain and dizziness in the first days are considered normal. There is also the possibility that a woman may experience discharge that lasts for several days; there is no need to be alarmed, this is a natural process.
It is worth knowing that a possibly frozen fetus will be sent for study to identify the reasons that led to its death. It is also worth knowing everything about histology, read more here.
If, after cleaning, the discharge is profuse, has an unpleasant odor, or lasts longer than 20 days, you should consult a doctor. Loss of consciousness, severe pain in the lower abdomen and high fever are also symptoms that indicate the need for medical attention.
Recovery after curettage of a frozen pregnancy involves a ban on sexual activity for 3 weeks, a month of refusal to take a bath and visit the pool, as well as the maximum possible refusal of physical activity.
In the period after the procedure, it is necessary to prevent infections, rehabilitate mental health, and normalize the cycle and endometrium.
How does scraping happen?
The procedure for curettage of the uterine cavity is carried out a couple of days before the onset of menstruation, which implies less blood loss and speedy rehabilitation. Curettage is preceded by tests:
- blood;
- for infections;
- vaginal smear;
- coagulograms (for blood clotting).
A couple of weeks before cleaning the uterus, they stop taking pills, give up sexual activity 2-3 days before, and do not use chemical hygiene products. 8 hours before surgery, refrain from eating.
The process itself takes 30–40 minutes and is carried out in a woman’s chair under anesthesia. The genitals are treated with an antiseptic. The doctor dilates the cervix and inserts a probe into it, performing hysteroscopy (examination of the internal surface of the uterus), or begins curettage. The manipulation is carried out with a curette, which scrapes off the top layer of the mucosa. The material in a test tube is transported to the laboratory for histology.
It takes six months to a year to recover after curettage. All this time it is necessary to be examined by a doctor and monitor your health.
Restoring the cycle after a frozen pregnancy
Over the years, stable menstruation can be disrupted under the influence of stress. The death of a child is a strong shock for a potential mother, therefore, after death, a period of up to 45 days is considered a normal delay in critical days. In addition to stress, the causes of such failures are inflammation of the viscera in the body of the uterus, hormonal instability and residual particles of the fertilized egg.
After curettage, bloody and bloody discharge is possible, do not confuse them with menstruation.
10 days after cleansing, gynecologists advise that you definitely do an ultrasound, which will allow you to monitor the regeneration process.
Is it possible to get pregnant after curettage?
You can get pregnant after cleaning the uterus. Correctly performed surgery does not cause infertility. If a woman previously had difficulties conceiving, they usually remain after curettage. Without preliminary treatment it will be difficult to get pregnant.
It is a mistake to believe that pregnancy cannot occur quickly after cleansing. Conception can happen as soon as hormonal levels are restored. This usually does not take more than three months. Regular menstruation and stable cycles will be evidence of the proper functioning of the gonads.
As soon as the body turns on the reproductive function, the ovaries will begin to produce follicles with eggs, and the functional layer of the uterus will mature. Pregnancy after endometrial curettage can occur next month. There are cases where ovulation occurred within 2-3 weeks after surgery, and as a result of unprotected contact a fertilized egg was formed.
A woman has a greater chance of conceiving quickly if curettage was performed for an uncompleted miscarriage or for the purpose of terminating a pregnancy. The body of such patients usually does not have additional obstacles to fertilization. Pregnancy after hysteroscopy with diagnostic curettage can also occur, but usually this does not happen so quickly, since there are additional problems in the body that prevent fertilization.
Restoration of the endometrium after a frozen pregnancy
The endometrium is the mucous layer of the uterine body to which the fertilized egg is attached. If the thickness is insufficient, problems arise with attachment and nutrition, and gestation may stop.
After an unsuccessful attempt to bear a child during the recovery period, a woman may develop endometritis - one of the complications after cleansing, which is an inflammation of the mucous layer.
Restoration of the endometrium after curettage of a frozen pregnancy is one of the most necessary measures for planning a new conception and is carried out through hormonal therapy. Treatment should be cyclical and include estrogens and gestagens in large doses.
Some medications suitable for extensions:
- Femoston;
- Duphaston;
- Progynoma;
- Divigel;
- Gormel.
All drugs have side effects, so they should be selected by a gynecologist, who will also determine the dosage and period of use!
Conception after curettage
You can resume sexual relations after cleansing no earlier than a month later, until the cervical canal closes, the uterus contracts, and restoration of the mucous membrane begins.
In practice, pregnancy can occur immediately after curettage. However, there are a number of conditions under which one should refrain from conceiving quickly:
- Hydatidiform mole, polyposis, adenomatosis, hyperplastic process - these diseases that require cleaning require further treatment and medical supervision.
- Curettage during a frozen pregnancy, miscarriage - in such cases, the woman usually experiences severe emotional shock, so there is no need to rush into a new conception.
How long does it take to recover after surgery? Physical activity is excluded for up to 6 weeks, a taboo is placed on sex for a month to prevent injury to the cervix and other organs, and hormonal medications are prescribed for rest and restoration of reproductive function. A woman should undergo regular examinations with a gynecologist.
You should plan your pregnancy based on the reasons why the cleansing occurred. The period of abstinence from conception ranges from 2–3 months to six months or more. The doctor regularly examines the cervix and other reproductive organs to give advice about conception.
Recovery after vacuum cleaning of a frozen pregnancy
Vacuum aspiration is a more comfortable and safe alternative to surgical curettage.
Its advantages:
- Minimizing the risk of cervical injury;
- Short duration and low complexity;
- Faster recovery period.
Despite the fact that this procedure is easier to tolerate than curettage, after its implementation there is also a recovery period, the conditions of which are similar to the rules of behavior after surgical cleansing, but the terms of restrictions are less. For example, it is recommended not to have sexual intercourse after vacuum aspiration for 2 weeks (for surgery - 3).
At the moment, such cleaning is the most effective, but even after it it is necessary to do an ultrasound examination to make sure that all particles of the fertilized egg have been removed from the uterus.
Why is curettage done and how does it happen?
Curettage of the uterus is a gynecological procedure during which its contents, including the superficial mucous layer, are removed. Cleaning is carried out in a hospital setting using local or general anesthesia. Curettage is considered a full-fledged surgical operation that requires appropriate preparation.
Before the procedure, the doctor must know exactly the purpose of curettage and the presence of contraindications to the operation in the patient. Cleaning is carried out using special gynecological instruments: vaginal speculum, blunt and sharp curette, uterine probe, dilators for the cervix, etc.
Before the manipulation, the patient is given anesthesia, the external genitalia are treated with an antiseptic solution, then curettage is performed. At the end of the procedure, the tissues are again treated with antiseptics, and the doctor places ice on the lower abdomen for better contraction of the uterus.
Cleaning has the following goals:
- artificial termination of an unplanned pregnancy;
- removal of the fertilized egg due to a frozen pregnancy;
- removal of fetal remains after spontaneous miscarriage;
- stopping uterine bleeding - metrorrhagia;
- incomplete separation of the placenta after childbirth;
- pathologies of the cervix;
- endometriosis, adhesions.
Uncomplicated curettage of the uterine cavity does not have a negative impact on a woman’s reproductive capabilities.
Recovery after early miscarriage
Fetal death most often occurs either at 3-4 weeks, or at 8-10. The most dangerous week is 8, it is during this week that the most important organs of the future baby are formed. In the early stages, it is difficult to track the fading of gestation: there may be no toxicosis, and human chorionic gonadotropin, even after stopping the development of the embryo, is excreted from the body only after 2-4 weeks. The easiest way to check is to measure your basal temperature; when it freezes, it drops below 37 degrees.
If fetal death is suspected, the woman is immediately hospitalized and undergoes an ultrasound and hCG analysis. When the diagnosis is confirmed, the fertilized egg is removed.
After surgery, it is recommended to take antibiotics, oral contraceptives and vitamins. In addition, it is recommended to undergo some tests and send the material obtained after curettage for histology.
Infertility after curettage
Getting pregnant after curettage can be difficult for women who have additional obstacles: hormonal imbalance, polycystic ovaries, endometrial hypoplasia. If cleansing was carried out to identify the causes of infertility, it usually does not increase the likelihood of conception in the future. It will be difficult for patients belonging to these groups to become pregnant after curettage.
If injuries were sustained during the operation or an inflammatory process developed after treatment, then conception is also unlikely. It will not be possible to get pregnant after curettage if:
- During surgery, the rules of asepsis were violated, which caused endometritis;
- there was a puncture of the uterine wall - perforation (a complication requires laparotomy followed by long-term treatment);
- damage to the germinal layer of the reproductive organ occurred;
- the myometrium was injured;
- Ovarian dysfunction occurred.
IVF after hysteroscopy with curettage can be performed in the next cycle. It is important to choose a suitable program for the patient so that the hormonal levels are completely controlled by fertility doctors.
In a woman’s life there may be various situations or diseases in which gynecological curettage will be necessary: after a miscarriage, during abortion (if the pregnancy is unwanted), during prolonged bleeding. It is possible to become pregnant after cleaning the uterus, but, unfortunately, you need to wait so that problems do not arise during pregnancy and conception.
Recovery after late pregnancy
Fetal development may stop up to 28 weeks. In the second trimester, the first sign of the baby’s death is the cessation of movement. In this case, it is removed by intravenous administration of a solution of prostaglandins.
The complexity of the rehabilitation process in this case is due to the woman’s getting used to the child, and losing him for 4-5 months is a huge stress. The expectant mother will have to get used to the idea that life is no longer developing inside her for a long time, and it is possible that she will need the help of a qualified specialist.
Don't be afraid of a non-developing pregnancy! When planning a child, you should take this very seriously and adhere to certain rules. Be sure to visit a doctor, take all the necessary tests, take a course of vitamins. See a gynecologist regularly, follow his instructions, and then the likelihood of pathology occurring will be significantly reduced.
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