Anemlic pregnancy is one of the main causes of miscarriage. Know why it happens and what symptoms you need to be aware of.
Testing positive pregnancy tests can quickly turn happiness into sadness if you get negative results later. One common cause of miscarriage is an anembric pregnancy or depleted egg where the pregnancy sac forms, but no baby. Therefore, you may experience symptoms of pregnancy at first, such as vomiting or soft breasts. However, within a few weeks the symptoms faded away. Even if you don’t have a baby, you’ll need time to grieve. The good news is that you will be able to get pregnant again in the future. All you have to do is pay a little attention.
What is anembric pregnancy?
Anemlic pregnancy, also known as a depleted egg, occurs when fertilized egg implants in the uterus do not develop in the embryo. “The pregnancy sac forms, but it remains empty and means that the baby is not being made,” said Dr. Shoba Gupta, a gynecologist and in vitro fertilization expert.

This is one of the main causes of early pregnancy loss. According to the American Pregnancy Association, this is the cause of about 50% of early pregnancy miscarriages. The incidence of embric pregnancy ranges from 10% of women between the ages of 20 and 24 to 51% of women aged 40 and older, according to a study published in StatPearls in 2023.
What are the symptoms of anembric pregnancy?
The symptoms of pregnancy may appear first, but they decrease over time. “In the early stages, symptoms such as nausea, fatigue and breast tenderness can occur due to an increase in pregnancy hormones,” experts say. However, these symptoms may begin to decline as a plateau or decrease in human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) levels, indicating that pregnancy is not progressing.
Symptoms of anembric pregnancy include:
- Vaginal spots or bleeding that may vary in colour from pink to brown.
- Mild convulsions in the lower abdomen are similar to menstrual convulsions.
“Ultrasound scans may also reveal empty pregnancy sacs without visible embryos or heartbeat, which are often the definitive sign of anemrique pregnancy,” says Dr. Gupta.
What causes anembric pregnancy?
Some of the possible reasons behind anemrik pregnancy are:
- Chromosomal abnormalities: Errors during fertilization lead to genetic problems and prevent the embryo from developing properly. “These abnormalities are often caused by random errors in the division of sperm or egg cells and are not usually inherited from the parent,” experts say.
- The quality of eggs and sperm is poor: If the survival rate of eggs or sperm used during conception is low, healthy embryos may not be able to form. “This is more common in older women (ages over 40) or women who underlie reproductive health issues like polycystic ovarian syndrome,” experts say.
- Immune or Hormonal Issues: Issues in the immune system and hormonal imbalances, such as low levels of progesterone, can disrupt early pregnancy development. These factors can impair proper implantation or growth of the pregnancy sac.
How to diagnose anemlic pregnancy?
This type of pregnancy diagnosis usually involves:
- Ultrasound to confirm the presence of an embryo-free pregnancy sac. This is usually done between 7 and 10 weeks of pregnancy.
- In healthy pregnancy, HCG levels rise, especially at 8 weeks. Blood tests can help you determine if your HCG levels are low or reduced. If the levels are low, they mean an insurvival pregnancy.
How to treat anemlic pregnancy?
Once annemlic pregnancy is diagnosed, treatment focuses on the safe removal of insurviving tissue from the uterus. Here are the available options that women can go to:
1. Natural miscarriage
This approach involves waiting for the body to naturally drain pregnant tissue without medical or surgical intervention. “As time passes, the body recognizes an insurviving pregnancy and begins the miscarriage process. The miscarriage process includes convulsions, bleeding and tissue passage,” the expert says. This process can take days to weeks and requires close monitoring by a doctor.
2. medicine
The drug can be used to promote the process of banishing pregnant tissue. Misoprostol has been found to be successful in many cases, according to a study published in the International Journal of Reproduction, Colnaception, Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2019. “This drug causes uterine contractions.

3. Expansion and soft
This is a surgical procedure to remove pregnant tissue from the uterus. “The cervix is dilated and the lining of the uterus is gently rubbed and absorbed using special instruments,” experts say. This is a short procedure that usually lasts 15-30 minutes and is performed under local or general anesthesia. “This is a relatively quick and definitive treatment, especially when women experiencing severe bleeding or when other methods fail,” says Dr. Gupta.
Can I give birth to an Anumbrick after pregnancy?
Yes, it is possible to become a mother after this type of pregnancy. “Experience an anembric pregnancy does not define the ability to have a healthy pregnancy in the future,” experts say.
To improve the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy, genetic counseling should be sought, especially if recurrent loss occurs. Wait at least one normal menstrual cycle before giving birth to the baby again. It also manages stress and emotional well-being to increase your chances of successful pregnancy.
Anemlic pregnancy can be emotionally and physically challenging. Early diagnosis and proper treatment will allow most women to recover fully and plan for future pregnancy.
Related FAQs
How long can anembric pregnancy last?
Anembric pregnancy is often detected by 6-10 weeks of pregnancy during routine scans. If not identified, a natural miscarriage may occur or last until medical intervention is required.
How to avoid anembric pregnancy?
It’s not always possible to prevent it. Maintain a healthy lifestyle, manage chronic diseases such as diabetes and thyroid disorders, and avoid smoking, alcohol and drugs to reduce your risk.