Are there any symptoms of fetal demise at 13 weeks of pregnancy?
Under normal circumstances, at 13 weeks of pregnancy, symptoms of fetal demise may include disappearance of early pregnancy reactions, cessation of breast enlargement, lower abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and backache. The details are as follows:
1. Disappearance of early pregnancy symptoms
After embryonic development stops, the level of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the body decreases. As a result, pregnancy-related symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and fatigue gradually subside and disappear.
2. Cessation of breast enlargement
Levels of progesterone and estrogen in the body drop significantly. Stimulation of the mammary glands and alveoli decreases, causing the breasts to stop enlarging.
3. Lower abdominal pain
Once fetal development ceases, the uterus no longer grows with the fetus and gradually returns to its normal size, often accompanied by pain.
4. Vaginal bleeding
Fetal demise at 13 weeks of gestation is considered a case of missed abortion, which may be caused by embryonic abnormalities or chromosomal issues. When embryonic development stops, the endometrium may begin to shed, leading to vaginal bleeding.
5. Backache
Fetal demise at 13 weeks may lead to spontaneous miscarriage. Vaginal bleeding is a common sign of miscarriage. Backache may result from uterine contractions, which help expel the embryo and endometrial tissue from the body.
If fetal demise occurs, induced abortion can be performed under a doctor's guidance to remove the nonviable fetus. After the procedure, avoid excessive mental stress and consume nutritious foods to support physical recovery.