Expelled gestational sac: symptoms, causes and what to do

Expelled gestational sac is when the gestational sac, which forms at the beginning of pregnancy, is expelled from the uterus, usually due to an abortion.

When the gestational sac is expelled, symptoms such as cramping in the abdomen and vaginal bleeding appear, which, although similar to menstruation, tends to be larger and have more clots.

If you suspect that the gestational sac has been expelled, it is important to consult an obstetrician, who can recommend tests such as ultrasound or beta-hCG measurement to confirm the diagnosis.

Main symptoms

Symptoms that may indicate that the gestational sac has been expelled are:

• Colic in the abdomen;
• Vaginal bleeding;
• Exit of clots mixed in the blood.

Typically, the bleeding has a similar appearance to that which occurs during menstruation, so it can be difficult to identify. In addition, sometimes more voluminous bleeding or larger clots can also be noticed.

The exit of the gestational sac usually occurs at the beginning of pregnancy and pregnancy symptoms, such as nausea and changes in the breasts, tend to disappear within a few days after being expelled.

Possible causes

The gestational sac is normally expelled due to an abortion, which is more common to occur when genetic changes arise during the development of the embryo or malformations that prevent the pregnancy from continuing.

Furthermore, hormonal changes, anembryonic pregnancy, chronic diseases such as diabetes or celiac disease, coagulation abnormalities or changes in the shape of the uterus, for example, can also cause a miscarriage and cause the gestational sac to be expelled. Learn about other causes of miscarriage and how to identify them.

Does the gestational sac come out on its own?

The gestational sac normally comes out on its own and is not always noticed by the woman, especially when a miscarriage occurs early in pregnancy. However, there are situations where it may take a few weeks for it to be expelled completely.

Furthermore, sometimes the gestational sac may not come out completely or even end up not coming out at all, as happens in the case of an incomplete or missed abortion.

Therefore, in case of suspected miscarriage, it is recommended to consult an obstetrician, preferably in an obstetric emergency, for an evaluation.

Can it be expelled during menstruation?

The gestational sac is generally not expelled during menstruation. Although it may cause similar vaginal bleeding, it does not mean that your period has returned.

How to confirm if the bag has been expelled

To find out whether the gestational sac has been expelled, it is important to consult an obstetrician. Tests such as ultrasound and beta-hCG measurement in the blood are usually indicated to confirm whether the gestational sac has been expelled.

The gestational sac is normally evaluated using ultrasound during pregnancy and its characteristics can indicate whether the pregnancy is progressing as it should. Check out what the gestational sac is and its size during pregnancy.