Learning that you have a non-viable pregnancy changes everything. After experiencing the rollercoaster of emotions that come with an unplanned pregnancy, dealing with its unexpected loss can bring just as much emotional turmoil.
Whether you have been diagnosed with a non-viable pregnancy or you just want to prepare, use the information below to plan your next steps.
What is a non-viable pregnancy?
A non-viable pregnancy means that the pregnancy isn’t healthy enough to survive. Most of the time, this pregnancy loss is referred to as a miscarriage.
Non-viable pregnancies are very common, especially in the first trimester. Most (80%) of miscarriages happen during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Up to 10% of confirmed pregnancies end in miscarriage. An estimated 26% of all pregnancies, including those that aren’t confirmed by a healthcare professional, are non-viable.
There are many reasons for pregnancy loss. Ectopic pregnancies, for example, are non-viable. In these cases, the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus. Usually, it will implant in a Fallopian tube, but it can also implant in the abdomen, ovaries, cervix, and scars from past C-sections. These organs aren’t meant to hold a developing baby and may rupture as the pregnancy progresses. To protect the mother’s life, the embryo must be removed.
In other cases, the pregnancy may not progress as it should. Though the embryo is still alive when an ultrasound reveals these symptoms, it will likely die within a week or two. Often, however, if you have been diagnosed with a non-viable pregnancy, the embryo or fetus has already died.
How do you diagnose pregnancy viability?
Doctor’s offices and women’s healthcare clinics such as Thrive Orlando will use an ultrasound to determine the viability of your pregnancy. They will measure the embryo and look for signs that point to non-viability. These symptoms include:
- A gestational sac that is larger than 24 millimeters but does not hold an embryo
- A gestational sac that is missing a yolk sac (which feeds the embryo in the early weeks of pregnancy), followed by the loss of the embryo’s heartbeat
- A gestational sac that does have a yolk sac but is followed by the loss of the heartbeat
- A fetus that measures seven millimeters or more but lacks a heartbeat
- An unusually small gestational sac that holds a larger embryo
- A yolk sac that is abnormally large
- A gestational sac or amnion (the membrane around the embryo) but no embryo
- An irregularly shaped gestational sac, especially if it has an unusually large yolk sac inside
- A fetus with a heartbeat that measures less than 100 beats per minute
You may also experience outward signs of a miscarriage. Symptoms may include vaginal bleeding or spotting, passing pregnancy tissue, severe abdominal cramping, and back pain. Your body will also make less human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the hormone that causes positive pregnancy test results. These results will grow fainter or become negative as you lose the pregnancy.
What happens if I have a non-viable pregnancy?
If you suspect a non-viable pregnancy or have faint pregnancy test results, follow the steps below.
1. Take a medical-grade pregnancy test
Medical-grade pregnancy tests are more reliable than home tests. Taking a test will confirm that you are pregnant and, often, allow you to qualify for an ultrasound to check the embryo’s viability.
At Thrive Orlando, you can get a free medical-grade pregnancy test. If it is positive, you may qualify for a free ultrasound as well.
2. Get an ultrasound
Non-viable pregnancies can still cause positive test results. An ultrasound, however, can reveal if you have lost or are losing the pregnancy. During the scan, the sonographer will measure the embryo and check for signs of a normal, healthy pregnancy. If she sees anything concerning, she may recommend that you see a doctor for further testing.
If you are just a few weeks pregnant, however, the embryo may be too small to see on the ultrasound. The sonographer may ask you to return for a follow-up appointment to check again in a week or two. This extra time will show if the pregnancy just needed time to grow or if it is non-viable.
3. Find support and care
If your pregnancy was unplanned and unwanted, you might feel relief. Others may experience surprising heartbreak at the news. Most often, however, this situation will bring a mixture of both positive and negative emotions. Even if you weren’t ready to have this pregnancy, it is still an unexpected loss.
As you process the emotional and physical effects of the miscarriage, lean on your loved ones. Give yourself compassion and patience through this experience. Most importantly, carefully monitor your health. If you have unusually heavy bleeding, ongoing pain, or signs of an infection, seek medical attention immediately.
