"Are Mothers Factors Responsible for Two Instances of Embryonic Arrest?"

Fetal Arrest: Causes and Signs

Pregnancy, a joyous occasion for many married women, can sometimes be complicated by the discovery of no fetal pole or heartbeat during early pregnancy checks. This indicates arrested development of the fertilized egg, necessitating termination of pregnancy. However, the reasons for recurrent fetal arrest extend beyond maternal factors alone.

Potential Causes Related to the Mother

Firstly, low progesterone levels are a common reason for fetal arrest even after detecting a heartbeat. This can stem from maternal issues like luteal phase defect. Regular checks to maintain progesterone levels above 25 during early pregnancy are crucial. If levels are low, remaining calm and utilizing oral or injectable progesterone can help sustain the pregnancy, often resulting in healthy babies.

Secondly, issues with the fetal environment, such as poor uterine development or endometrial heterotopia, can lead to fetal arrest despite a heartbeat. It's advisable to detect and treat these conditions prior to pregnancy as surgical intervention during pregnancy is challenging.

Furthermore, a small percentage of fetal arrests may be attributed to the mother's immune system. In cases of recurrent fetal arrests, a comprehensive evaluation is strongly recommended.

Signs of Fetal Arrest

When fetal arrest occurs, the mother's body undergoes changes to expel the embryo. This includes a decline in estrogen and progesterone levels, triggering immune rejection of the embryo. Blood clots may form between the mother and embryo, causing vaginal bleeding known as threatened abortion, signaling the embryo's impending expulsion.

It's crucial to differentiate this bleeding from that occurring during normal embryonic development, which does not lead to expulsion. Additionally, there may be brief lower abdominal pain during the expulsion process.

While early pregnancy symptoms may diminish after fetal arrest, they vary widely among individuals and cannot be solely relied upon to assess embryonic development. Most pregnant women do not experience significant symptoms, and diagnosis primarily relies on hormonal tests and early pregnancy ultrasonography.