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- A miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a fetus before the 20th week of pregnancy. Pregnancy losses after the 20th week are called stillbirths. Miscarriage is a naturally occurring event, unlike medication abortions or abortion procedures. A miscarriage may also be called a "spontaneous abortion."
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Miscarriage, also known in medical terms as a spontaneous abortion, is the death and expulsion of an embryo or fetus before it can survive independently. [1][4] The term miscarriage is sometimes used to refer to all forms of pregnancy loss and pregnancy with abortive outcomes before 20 weeks of gestation.
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Jan 2, 2024 · Pregnancy loss, also referred to as miscarriage or spontaneous abortion, is generally defined as a nonviable intrauterine pregnancy up to 20 weeks gestation. Early pregnancy loss, which occurs in the first trimester, is the most common type.
Apr 29, 2024 · Pregnancy loss, also referred to as miscarriage or spontaneous abortion, is generally defined as a nonviable intrauterine pregnancy up to 20 weeks of gestation. Early pregnancy loss, which occurs in the first trimester (ie, up to 12+6 weeks gestation), is the most common type.
A miscarriage, or spontaneous abortion, is defined as a pregnancy lossthat occurs without outside intervention before the 20th week of pregnancy. Pregnancy is so complex that there are many different ways for the process to get off course and for a miscarriage to occur.
- Overview
- Causes
- Symptoms
- Exams and Tests
- Treatment
- Possible Complications
- When to Contact a Medical Professional
- Prevention
- Alternative Names
A miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a fetus before the 20th week of pregnancy. Pregnancy losses after the 20th week are called stillbirths. Miscarriage is a naturally occurring event, unlike medical or surgical abortions.
A miscarriage may also be called a "spontaneous abortion." Other terms for the early loss of pregnancy include:
•Complete abortion: All of the products (tissue) of conception leave the body.
•Incomplete abortion: Only some of the products of conception leave the body.
•Inevitable abortion: Symptoms cannot be stopped and a miscarriage will happen.
•Infected (septic) abortion: The lining of the womb (uterus) and any remaining products of conception become infected.
Most miscarriages are caused by chromosome problems that make it impossible for the baby to develop. In rare cases, these problems are related to the mother's or father's genes.
Other possible causes of miscarriage may include:
•Drug and alcohol abuse
•Clotting disorders
•Exposure to environmental toxins
•Hormone problems
Possible symptoms of miscarriage may include:
•Low back pain or abdominal pain that is dull, sharp, or cramping
•Tissue or clot-like material that passes from the vagina
•Vaginal bleeding, with or without abdominal cramps
During a pelvic exam, your provider may see that your cervix has opened (dilated).
Abdominal or vaginal ultrasound may be done to check the baby's development and heartbeat, and the amount of your bleeding.
The following blood tests may be performed:
•Blood type (if you have an Rh-negative blood type, you would require a treatment with Rh-immune globulin).
•Complete blood count (CBC) to determine how much blood has been lost.
•HCG (qualitative) to confirm pregnancy.
When a miscarriage occurs, the tissue passed from the vagina should be examined. This is done to determine if it was a normal placenta or a rare condition known as a hydatidiform mole. It is also important to find out whether any pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus. In rare cases an ectopic pregnancy can look like a miscarriage. If you have passed tissue, ask your provider if the tissue should be sent for genetic testing. This can be helpful to determine if a treatable cause of miscarriage is present.
If the pregnancy tissue does not naturally leave the body, you may be closely watched for up to 2 weeks. Surgery (suction curettage, D and C) or medicine may be needed to remove the remaining contents from your womb.
In rare cases, complications of miscarriage are seen.
An infected abortion may occur if any tissue from the placenta or fetus remains in the uterus after the miscarriage. Symptoms of an infection include fever, vaginal bleeding that does not stop, cramping, and a foul-smelling vaginal discharge. Infections can be serious and need immediate medical attention.
Women who lose a baby after 20 weeks of pregnancy receive different medical care. This is called premature delivery or fetal demise. This needs immediate medical attention.
After a miscarriage, women and their partners may feel sad. This is normal. If your feelings of sadness do not go away or get worse, seek advice from family and friends as well as your provider. However, for most couples, a history of a miscarriage doesn't reduce the chances of having a healthy baby in the future.
Contact your provider if you:
•Have vaginal bleeding with or without cramping during pregnancy.
Early, complete prenatal care is the best prevention for complications of pregnancy, such as miscarriage.
Miscarriages that are caused by systemic diseases can be prevented by detecting and treating the disease before pregnancy occurs.
Miscarriages are also less likely if you avoid things that are harmful to your pregnancy. These include x-rays, recreational drugs, alcohol, high caffeine intake, and infectious diseases.
When a mother's body has difficulty keeping a pregnancy, signs such as slight vaginal bleeding may occur. This means there is a risk for miscarriage. But it does not mean one will definitely occur. A pregnant woman who develops any signs or symptoms of threatened miscarriage should contact her prenatal provider instantly.
Abortion - spontaneous; Spontaneous abortion; Abortion - missed; Abortion - incomplete; Abortion - complete; Abortion - inevitable; Abortion - infected; Missed abortion; Incomplete abortion; Complete abortion; Inevitable abortion; Infected abortion
Dec 15, 2015 · Miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of an intrauterine pregnancy before 24 weeks gestation. It occurs in approximately 10 – 24% of all clinical pregnancies. 1. The major risk factors for miscarriage are increasing maternal age and the number of previous miscarriages. 1.
Nov 10, 2023 · Diagnosis. Prevention. A miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a fetus before it is viable. A miscarriage occurs before the 20th week of pregnancy. Signs of a miscarriage may include spotting...
