Navigating the first trimester of pregnancy can be a daunting task for expecting mothers and partners alike. With so many physical and emotional changes to contend with, it can be difficult to know what to expect in the coming months. One of the most important things to be aware of are the signs of a viable pregnancy. A viable pregnancy is one in which the embryo has implanted successfully and is likely to continue to full term. Many symptoms that occur during the first trimester are normal, but some can be signs of a viable pregnancy. In this blog post, we’ll explore the signs of a viable pregnancy during the first trimester, as well as what to expect in the coming months. With this information, expecting mothers and partners can better prepare for the changes to come and be better informed on how to take care of themselves and their growing family.
Do You Have a Viable Pregnancy?
If your pregnancy test came back positive, you’re probably feeling a variety of emotions.
Additionally, you are aware that you must make some crucial choices, such as whether to keep the pregnancy or have an abortion. However, even though you might feel a sense of urgency, it is a good idea to take the time to do your research before deciding on a medical procedure.
Finding out if your pregnancy is viable is one of the first things you should do. Women who were considering abortion are able to avoid the cost and potential trauma of an abortion if a non-living pregnancy is found.
This article will discuss what constitutes a viable pregnancy, some common causes of nonviable pregnancies, and how to determine whether your pregnancy can last the full nine months.
If your baby is healthy, developing normally, and your pregnancy is able to last until your baby is ready to be born, it is considered to be viable.
Any unintentional loss of your unborn child before he or she is able to survive outside of the womb is referred to as a miscarriage. The March of Dimes estimates that as many as 50% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage, and most miscarriages occur very early on, before you even know you are pregnant
Of known pregnancies, as many as 25% end in miscarriage, and 80% of all miscarriages happen in the first trimester, or within 12 weeks of the mother%E2%80%99s last menstrual period
What causes miscarriage? There are many potential factors that increase your risk, according to WebMD:
A miscarriage can cause one or more of the following symptoms in women:
Ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, and blighted ovum are the three most prevalent types of nonviable pregnancies.
In a typical pregnancy, one of your ovaries releases an egg, which the father of your unborn child then fertilizes in one of your fallopian tubes. Then, after passing through the fallopian tube, your baby implants in your uterus, where he or she will develop for the next nine months until it is time for birth.
In the case of ectopic pregnancy, also called a tubal pregnancy, the baby implants in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus. This is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention once discovered. It is usually discovered by the 8th week after your last menstrual period.
Having an ectopic pregnancy is more likely in women if any of the following occur:
One or more of the following symptoms could be an indication of an ectopic pregnancy:
A molar pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg develops into an abnormal growth instead of a baby. There are two types of molar pregnancy:
Several factors increase a woman’s risk of molar pregnancy:
Molar pregnancy can also result in trophoblastic disease, a condition in which a woman’s body continues to produce abnormal tissue long after the initial molar pregnancy has ended. If trophoblastic disease is not successfully treated, it can develop into cancer.
Any of the following signs of molar pregnancy could exist:
About half of all first trimester miscarriages are caused by a blighted ovum. Also called anembryonic pregnancy, this condition happens when a fertilized egg fails to develop into a baby.
Your baby should be clearly visible on an ultrasound five to six weeks after your last period. The placenta and pregnancy sac will develop from a blighted ovum, but the baby won’t be there.
After fertilization, chromosomal abnormalities or improper cell division commonly result in this heartbreaking condition.
Early pregnancy symptoms such as cramping in the abdomen, vaginal bleeding, and a heavier-than-normal period when your body expels the placenta and pregnancy sac are all signs of a blighted ovum.
How is early pregnancy loss diagnosed?
Your doctor will first inquire about your symptoms and when they first appeared. They will do a physical exam. Your doctor might do an ultrasound. This can detect a heartbeat and show whether the embryo is still developing. They may also order blood tests. These can measure pregnancy hormone levels. Your doctor will be able to tell if you are losing the pregnancy thanks to this.
If You Have a Slow Rising Beta HCG, is Viable Pregnancy Still Possible?
When my husband and I were undergoing our first IVF cycle, I assumed that all we needed was a single positive blood pregnancy test to determine whether or not the treatment had been successful.
What I didn’t realize, is that I would actually undergo a series of blood tests, known as Beta-hCG tests, to prove that my human chorionic gonadotropin levels (hCG) were increasing.
Once an embryo implants into the uterus, your body will begin producing hCG to help develop progesterone. Progesterone is a steroid hormone that helps protect your growing baby throughout pregnancy.
Upon the start of its production, the amount of hCG detected in your body should nearly double every two to three days until it reaches its peak around week 8 of pregnancy.
Unfortunately, this could point to a non-viable pregnancy if your beta tests reveal that your hCG levels aren’t rising as they should be.
While it’s not impossible that a slow-rising beta hCG level could end up as a viable pregnancy, studies have shown that the likelihood of viability is minimal.
FAQ
How do I know my baby is OK in my first trimester?
Can you tell if a pregnancy is viable at 6 weeks?
What makes a pregnancy not viable?
The most common reasons for this include: A baby born too prematurely to be able to survive (before 23 weeks) A congenital defect that makes the survival of the fetus outside of the uterus impossible. A pregnancy in which the fetus no longer has a heartbeat.
At what week is a fetus viable?