Family planning can be a source of excitement, but sometimes also frustration. Once you receive the good news of your confirmed pregnancy, it's time for the exciting journey of expecting your baby. However, in certain situations, pleasant impressions can be replaced by severe frustration, as, for example, occurs during a frozen pregnancy.
Even if such a nuisance occurs, sooner or later a woman thinks about whether pregnancy is possible after a frozen pregnancy . At the same time, she may be overwhelmed by a feeling of anxiety, confusion as to what caused the death of the fetus, as well as worries about the reality of the possibility of becoming pregnant again. This material has been prepared to help you understand all aspects of a missed miscarriage, the possibility of conceiving after it, and the steps you can take to promote a healthy and successful pregnancy.
Causes and manifestations of frozen pregnancy
A frozen pregnancy (silent or incomplete miscarriage) is a rare type of miscarriage when the body is unable to recognize the death of the child in the womb, as a result of which it cannot expel the pregnancy material. Because of this, the placenta may continue to secrete hormones, causing the woman to still experience all the other symptoms of being pregnant.
The main cause of missed abortion is a chromosomal abnormality of the fetus. The presence of such an anomaly causes inhibition and ultimately cessation of the child’s development in the womb. Approximately 1% of all pregnancies end in silent miscarriage.
Most incomplete miscarriages occur within the first 12 weeks after conception. They are usually identified during regular checks. For example, during an ultrasound, a specialist can identify an underdeveloped fetus. Or, if the fetal heart rate is not heard during echo-Doppler testing, this indicates fetal death. If an ultrasound is performed. The miscarriage is then confirmed using ultrasound.
A frozen pregnancy, as a rule, does not manifest itself in any way. Many women do not realize that the baby has died in the womb and most often do not experience any symptoms such as severe cramping, vaginal bleeding or expulsion of fetal tissue. This is due to the same release of pregnancy hormones by the placenta, which play a role in the continuation of pregnancy symptoms.
Some women, however, notice a decrease in pregnancy symptoms with an incomplete miscarriage. Others may have reddish or brownish vaginal discharge. Often, after the death of a fetus with chromosomal abnormalities, the body can begin to miscarry within a few days. When it becomes clear that a miscarriage is not occurring naturally, the obstetrician has several options for terminating the miscarriage.
How long after cleansing can you get pregnant?
After your body recovers, try again to get pregnant. Sexual activity after a miscarriage can be started as soon as the desire arises. Don't be afraid of the emotional shock of intimacy in the first moments, as this is quite understandable. Before conceiving, it is also important to come to terms with past feelings of loss and disappointment.
As for the specific timing of when you can start working on trying to conceive a child after a woman has had a cleanse, doctors recommend waiting at least six months. Of course, it is best to plan the next pregnancy after a frozen one during the period when the female body has fully recovered physiologically and is ready to bear a child without compromising the development of the fetus and the well-being of the mother, and also when the woman herself is ready for this psychologically. That is, it is necessary to prepare yourself for the upcoming pregnancy not only from the physical, but also from the moral and emotional sides.
Eat vegetables and fruits - they will enrich your body with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. Activate iron absorption by drinking natural juices. Give up alcohol, cigarettes, walk more, and swim if possible. Take care of yourself and do not deny yourself rest.
If you take care of yourself and lead a healthy lifestyle, you will soon see that you are able to get pregnant again. The first trimester may be marked by the emergence of fear of losing this child. Don't panic. Develop a positive attitude towards pregnancy. Live and be happy!
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Treatment
If the pregnancy is short, up to 7-8 weeks, taking a drug such as mesoprostol can lead to the body being able to expel the remaining tissue in the uterine cavity. It is non-invasive and relatively safe, and the resulting expulsion tissue resembles heavy menstrual bleeding. During a missed pregnancy, the pain due to a miscarriage can be quite severe. Therefore, the specialist also prescribes painkillers to the woman to help her survive painful contractions. The expulsion of tissue itself does not cause physical pain, although it is certainly a difficult emotional burden for any woman experiencing a miscarriage.
If a frozen pregnancy is confirmed beyond 8-9 weeks, doctors usually decide to perform a dilatation and curettage procedure. Although this is the same procedure performed to voluntarily end a pregnancy, most women who have a silent miscarriage do not need to go to an abortion clinic. Dilation and curettage in case of miscarriage can be performed by an obstetrician-gynecologist in almost any hospital or clinic.
This procedure is especially important because it minimizes the risk of infection. If pregnancy materials are not removed from the body, they can become infected over time and cause serious health problems. An undiagnosed incomplete miscarriage, which can occur in a woman who is unaware of her pregnancy, can lead to serious and painful blood poisoning and the inability to conceive. Women who retain pregnancy materials in their bodies long after incomplete expulsion may require hospitalization for treatment of significant and life-threatening infections.
Dilatation and curettage for incomplete miscarriage is usually performed on an outpatient basis. After this, the woman may initially notice bleeding, which will gradually decrease over several weeks. Fever, chills, severe pain, or exceptionally heavy bleeding (requiring several pad changes in one hour) are symptoms that indicate the need to see a doctor immediately, as serious complications can very rarely occur after this procedure.
In addition, after dilation and curettage, you can expect some pain for a few days. Most doctors recommend abstaining from sexual activity for at least six weeks after such an abortion. They also suggest waiting at least three months before trying to conceive again.
Consequences
Women who experience a missed miscarriage are likely to experience signs of postpartum depression, similar to women who have a full-term, healthy pregnancy. This happens because pregnancy hormones, which can significantly affect your mood, are no longer released. It is quite understandable that after a silent miscarriage, not only the development of depression, but even the appearance of thoughts about the meaninglessness of further life and suicide. Don't be afraid to discuss your strong feelings or lingering sadness with your doctor. Most specialists help find remedies to cope with this difficult and painful situation. This can be done either through temporary treatment with antidepressants or with the help of an experienced psychotherapist.
Planning for conception after a missed pregnancy
To protect yourself and properly prepare for a future healthy pregnancy after a missed miscarriage , consult a specialist about tests. They are carried out to fully assess your health and readiness for normal conception, and also help to identify potential causes of miscarriage.
- Blood tests that evaluate a blood sample to determine problems in the endocrine or immune system.
- Chromosome tests help determine whether chromosomes are the problem. In this case, the woman donates blood together with her partner. Tissue from the miscarriage, if available, can also be examined.
Although the main cause of missed abortion is a chromosomal abnormality, for prevention, procedures can also be performed to help identify possible problems in the uterus, for example:
- Ultrasound. This imaging technique uses high-frequency sound waves to produce precise images of internal structures. The specialist places an ultrasound device (transducer) on the abdomen or inserts it inside the vagina to obtain images of the uterus. An ultrasound can reveal problems with the uterus, such as fibroids inside the uterus.
- Hysteroscopy. Your doctor inserts a thin tube with a light on the end, called a hysteroscope, through the cervix and into the uterus to diagnose and treat any identified intrauterine problems.
- Hysterosalpingography. The doctor inserts a catheter into the cervix, which releases a liquid contrast agent into the uterus. The dye is used to trace the shape of the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes, which become visible in the pictures. In this procedure, the doctor receives information about the internal contours of the uterus and any blockage in the fallopian tubes.
- Sonohysterogram. This ultrasound scan is performed after fluid is injected into the uterus through the vagina and cervix. This procedure provides information about the inner contours of the uterus, its outer surface, and any blockage in the fallopian tubes.
If you cannot determine the cause of miscarriage, do not give up. In most cases, after an incomplete miscarriage, a normal conception eventually occurs.
The best moment to conceive again
A miscarriage, regular or silent, can leave you feeling deeply lost. You and your partner may also feel angry, sad, or guilty. Take your time and give yourself time to grieve.
Generally, recommendations for sex after a miscarriage vary depending on the situation and the method of expulsion, but in general, sex is not recommended for two to six weeks. This kind of contraindication is associated with the prevention of infection. Talk to your doctor about any recommendations or restrictions. Your menstrual cycle will most likely return within six weeks. However, if you had sex before your period returned, it is possible to get pregnant.
If you feel ready for pregnancy after a missed abortion , consult your obstetrician-gynecologist. These recommendations should be considered if:
- You have had one miscarriage. The study found that women who conceived within six months of fetal death in their first pregnancy experienced fewer complications than those who chose to wait longer to conceive again. If you are in good health and ready to conceive, you do not have to wait long to conceive after an incomplete miscarriage.
- You have had several miscarriages. In this case, talk to your obstetrician-gynecologist. A specialist will be able to recommend tests and procedures to help identify any underlying problems, as well as possible treatment options, before trying to conceive again.
Recommendations for improving the chances of successful pregnancy
Most often, nothing can be done to prevent a miscarriage. However, by maintaining a healthy lifestyle before conception and during pregnancy, you help your body and your baby. Take a vitamin or folic acid supplement daily, ideally starting a few months before you expect to conceive. In general, the recommendations are the same as for maintaining good health: try not to get stressed, maintain a healthy weight, and limit your caffeine intake. And, of course, stop drinking alcohol, drugs and smoking.
After several miscarriages, future pregnancies must be planned and monitored carefully. Be sure to talk to your doctor before conceiving again and see him as soon as you suspect you have successfully conceived.
Experiences and support
After you have managed to conceive again after an incomplete miscarriage, in addition to joy, you may experience fear and anxiety. Many women are even afraid to share good news with anyone until the end of pregnancy. After childbirth, feelings of grief due to loss may return. There is no need to worry, this is absolutely normal and soon the joy of communicating with your child will outweigh all previous grief.
Try not to isolate yourself with your experiences and fears, do not hesitate to talk about them and allow yourself to experience them fully. Reach out to your partner, friends and family for support. If you are struggling mentally and need support, talk to your doctor or counsellor.
Who's at risk
The mechanisms for stopping embryo development are not fully understood. But factors have been identified that most likely lead to the development of a frozen pregnancy:
- violation of the anatomy of the genital organs;
- chromosomal abnormalities of the embryo;
- endometrial pathology;
- blood clotting disorders.
There are also studies that have shown a connection between frozen pregnancy and immunological incompatibility of partners, abnormal activity of NK killer leukocytes and the formation of antibodies to the tissues of the fetus.
Risk factors that increase the incidence of failed pregnancies include:
- age over 30 years;
- a large number of miscarriages;
- polycystic ovary syndrome;
- diabetes;
- chronic kidney disease;
- antiphospholipid syndrome;
- systemic lupus erythematosus;
- hypothyroidism;
- arterial hypertension;
- smoking;
- alcohol consumption;
- drug addiction;
- low body mass index;
- stress;
- caffeine abuse.
A woman can influence some of these factors on her own: quit smoking, alcohol, caffeine, change weight. And diseases need to be corrected at the stage of planning conception by contacting a specialist. A frozen pregnancy reduces the chances of a subsequent successful pregnancy.
Planning for conception
With proper preparation for reconception and elimination of all possible causes of a negative outcome, the chances of becoming a happy mother are 90%.
Some experts advise starting a new conception if there was an unsuccessful pregnancy at least a year ago. Recovery also depends on the period at which the fading and curettage occurred. If this happened before the 10th week, the body will be ready for a new conception much earlier.
Before becoming pregnant again, a woman needs to recover both physically and psychologically. At this stage, it is important to communicate with family and friends; perhaps a visit to a psychologist will help you survive the tragedy and get rid of the fear of the fetus dying again. Maximum positive emotions during this period will lead to a favorable outcome of conception. This will give you new strength and inspiration.
A woman’s body after a miscarriage is greatly weakened, so it is necessary to fill it with vitamins and beneficial microelements. At this stage, it is useful to take folic acid (as recommended by a gynecologist), which reduces the possibility of intrauterine pathologies incompatible with fetal development.
You need to include as many healthy foods as possible in your daily menu, exercise, and spend more time in nature.
Some women are unable to bear a child due to polluted environments or specific work conditions. It becomes mandatory to visit a gynecologist and undergo all necessary tests. If treatment is prescribed, you must complete it completely from “A” to “Z”. In order not to take unnecessary risks during recovery, it is better to use anti-conception drugs until the body has completely recovered.
In an effort to conceive again and safely give birth to a healthy child after a frozen pregnancy, all possible causes that affect the course of intrauterine development of the embryo must be eliminated.
Those who have a history of chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system, kidneys, and those suffering from diabetes should pay special attention to their health. To get pregnant safely and give birth to a healthy baby, you should not neglect the recommendations of your doctor, but complete the entire prescribed course of treatment before conception.
If pregnancy occurs a month after the frozen
Doctors do not approve of pregnancy a month after a frozen one, which often happens due to the fact that a woman’s body is literally already prepared for pregnancy, and a subsequent pregnancy can occur quite quickly.
But it is precisely the intimate relationship between spouses that must be preserved, there is nothing wrong with that, and, moreover, the restoration of a family after psychological trauma occurs most easily when both spouses accept each other without unnecessary difficulties. After the incident, you have to go through a lot of unpleasant moments, but you shouldn’t give up on yourself.
Planning pregnancy after fetal death
Medical statistics say: having decided to get pregnant a second time, many women give birth to healthy children. Although, of course, planning should be taken seriously. For example, finally quit smoking, and say goodbye to alcohol - these are the habits that put you at risk. And every medicine you take must be approved by a knowledgeable doctor - what if it is dangerous and has not yet been eliminated from the body during your pregnancy. Avoid medications that have a negative effect on the fetus!
Often the fetus freezes in women engaged in dangerous, harmful work. Try to change it - vacation will not be enough, because you need not only to conceive, but also to bear the baby.
It would also be a good idea to strengthen your immune system - it drops in pregnant women. The hCG hormone is to blame for this - it weakens the body so that it more favorably accepts the new resident of your belly.
