BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuMiscarriageAbortion - spontaneous; Spontaneous abortion; Abortion - missed; Abortion - incomplete; Abortion - complete; Abortion - inevitable; Abortion - infected; Missed abortion; Incomplete abortion; Complete abortion; Inevitable abortion; Infected abortionA 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.Stillbirths A stillbirth is when a baby dies in the womb during the last 20 weeks of pregnancy. A miscarriage is a fetal loss in the first half of pregnancy...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Medication abortionsA medication abortion is the use of medicine to end an undesired pregnancy. The medicine helps remove the fetus and placenta from the woman's womb (...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Abortion proceduresAn abortion is a medical procedure that ends an undesired pregnancy by removing the fetus and placenta from the woman's uterus (womb). A medication ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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 uterus and any remaining products of conception become infected. Missed abortion: The pregnancy has failed and the products of conception do not leave the body.Your health care provider may also use the term "threatened miscarriage." The symptoms of this condition are abdominal cramps with or without vaginal bleeding. They are a sign that a miscarriage may occur.Threatened miscarriageA threatened miscarriage is a condition that indicates the potential for a miscarriage or early pregnancy loss. It might take place before the 20th ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Abdominal crampsAbdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Most miscarriages are caused by chromosome problems that make it impossible for the fetus 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 or alcohol use Alcohol useAlcohol use involves drinking beer, wine, or hard liquor.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Blood clotting disorders Exposure to environmental toxins Hormone problems Infection Obesity ObesityObesity means weighing more than what is healthy for a given height. Obesity is a serious, chronic disease. It can lead to other health problems, i...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Physical problems with the mother's reproductive organs Problem with the body's immune response Serious body-wide (systemic) diseases in the mother (such as uncontrolled diabetes) SystemicSystemic means affecting the entire body, rather than a single organ or body part. For example, systemic disorders, such as high blood pressure, or s...Read Article Now Book Mark Article DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Smoking Around half of all fertilized eggs die and are lost (aborted) spontaneously, usually before the woman knows she is pregnant. Among women who know they are pregnant, about 10% to 25% will have a miscarriage. Most miscarriages occur during the first 7 weeks of pregnancy. The rate of miscarriage drops after the fetus's heartbeat is detected.The risk for miscarriage is higher:In women who are older -- The risk increases after 30 years of age and becomes even greater between 35 and 40 years, and is highest after age 40. In women who have already had one or more miscarriages. Symptoms 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 crampsSome women may not have any symptoms at the beginning. Exams and Tests During a pelvic exam, your provider may see that your cervix has opened (dilated).CervixThe cervix is the lower end of the womb (uterus). It is at the top of the vagina. It is about 2. 5 to 3. 5 centimeters (1 to 1. 3 inches) long. Th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Abdominal or vaginal ultrasound may be done to check the fetus's development and heartbeat, and the amount of your bleeding.AbdominalAbdominal ultrasound is a type of imaging test. It is used to look at organs in the abdomen, including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Vaginal ultrasoundTransvaginal ultrasound is a test used to look at a woman's uterus, ovaries, tubes, cervix and pelvic area. Transvaginal means across or through the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article The following blood tests may be performed:Blood type (if you have an Rh-negative blood type, you would require a treatment with Rho(D)-immune globulin [RhoGAM and other brands]). Rho(D)-immune globulin [RhoGAM and othe...Rh incompatibility is a condition that develops when a pregnant woman has Rh-negative blood and the baby in her womb has Rh-positive blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Complete blood count (CBC) to determine how much blood has been lost. Complete blood countA complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article HCG (qualitative) to confirm pregnancy. HCG (qualitative)A qualitative human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG or hCG) blood test checks if there is a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin in your blood. H...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article HCG (quantitative) done every several days or weeks. HCG (quantitative)A quantitative human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG or hCG) blood test measures the specific level of HCG in the blood. HCG is a hormone produced in th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article White blood count (WBC) and differential to check for infection.WBCA WBC count is a blood test to measure the number of white blood cells (WBCs) in the blood. It is a part of a complete blood count (CBC). WBCs are a...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article DifferentialThe blood differential test measures the percentage of each type of white blood cell (WBC) that you have in your blood. It also reveals if there are...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment 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.Hydatidiform moleHydatidiform mole (HM) is a rare mass or growth that forms inside the womb (uterus) at the beginning of a pregnancy. It is a type of gestational tro...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article If the pregnancy tissue does not naturally leave the body, you may be closely watched for up to 2 weeks. You may need a procedure (suction curettage, D and C) or medicine to remove the remaining contents from your uterus.Suction curettage, D and CAn abortion is a medical procedure that ends an undesired pregnancy by removing the fetus and placenta from the woman's uterus (womb). A medication ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article After treatment, women usually resume their normal menstrual cycle within 4 to 6 weeks. Any further vaginal bleeding should be carefully monitored. It is often possible to become pregnant immediately. It is suggested that you wait one normal menstrual cycle before trying to become pregnant again. Possible Complications In rare cases, complications of miscarriage can occur.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 fetus after 20 weeks of pregnancy receive different medical care. This is called premature delivery or fetal demise. This needs immediate medical attention.Premature deliveryA premature infant is a baby born before 37 full weeks of gestation (more than 3 weeks before the due date).Read Article Now Book Mark Article 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. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you:Have vaginal bleeding with or without cramping during pregnancy. Are pregnant and notice tissue or clot-like material that passes through your vagina. Collect the material and bring it to your provider for examination. Prevention 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.Threatened miscarriageA threatened miscarriage is a condition that indicates the potential for a miscarriage or early pregnancy loss. It might take place before the 20th ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Taking a prenatal vitamin or folic acid supplement before you become pregnant can greatly lower the chances of miscarriage and certain birth defects.Open ReferencesReferencesAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website. ACOG Guide to Language and Abortion. www.acog.org/contact/media-center/abortion-language-guide. Updated September 2023. Accessed April 2, 2024.Henn MC, Lall MD. Complications of pregnancy. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 173.Jauniaux ERM, Simpson JL. Pregnancy loss. In: Landon MB, Galan HL, Jauniaux ERM, et al, eds. Gabbe's Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 33.Reddy UM, Silver RM. Stillbirth. In: Lockwood CJ, Copel JA, Dugoff L, et al, eds. Creasy and Resnik's Maternal-Fetal Medicine: Principles and Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 42.Turocy J, Williams Z. Early and recurrent pregnancy loss; etiology, diagnosis, treatment. In: Gershenson DM, Lentz GM, Valea FA, Lobo RA, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 16.AllVideoImagesTogNormal uterine anatomy (cut section) - illustration The uterus is a muscular organ with thick walls, two upper openings to the fallopian tubes and an inferior opening to the vagina.Normal uterine anatomy (cut section)illustrationNormal uterine anatomy (cut section) - illustration The uterus is a muscular organ with thick walls, two upper openings to the fallopian tubes and an inferior opening to the vagina.Normal uterine anatomy (cut section)illustrationRelated Information Miscarriage - threatened(Condition)Systemic(Special Topic)Diabetes(Condition)Diabetes - type 1 - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 11/10/2022 Reviewed By: John D. Jacobson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 04/05/2024. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
MiscarriageAbortion - spontaneous; Spontaneous abortion; Abortion - missed; Abortion - incomplete; Abortion - complete; Abortion - inevitable; Abortion - infected; Missed abortion; Incomplete abortion; Complete abortion; Inevitable abortion; Infected abortionA 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.Stillbirths A stillbirth is when a baby dies in the womb during the last 20 weeks of pregnancy. A miscarriage is a fetal loss in the first half of pregnancy...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Medication abortionsA medication abortion is the use of medicine to end an undesired pregnancy. The medicine helps remove the fetus and placenta from the woman's womb (...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Abortion proceduresAn abortion is a medical procedure that ends an undesired pregnancy by removing the fetus and placenta from the woman's uterus (womb). A medication ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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 uterus and any remaining products of conception become infected. Missed abortion: The pregnancy has failed and the products of conception do not leave the body.Your health care provider may also use the term "threatened miscarriage." The symptoms of this condition are abdominal cramps with or without vaginal bleeding. They are a sign that a miscarriage may occur.Threatened miscarriageA threatened miscarriage is a condition that indicates the potential for a miscarriage or early pregnancy loss. It might take place before the 20th ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Abdominal crampsAbdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Most miscarriages are caused by chromosome problems that make it impossible for the fetus 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 or alcohol use Alcohol useAlcohol use involves drinking beer, wine, or hard liquor.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Blood clotting disorders Exposure to environmental toxins Hormone problems Infection Obesity ObesityObesity means weighing more than what is healthy for a given height. Obesity is a serious, chronic disease. It can lead to other health problems, i...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Physical problems with the mother's reproductive organs Problem with the body's immune response Serious body-wide (systemic) diseases in the mother (such as uncontrolled diabetes) SystemicSystemic means affecting the entire body, rather than a single organ or body part. For example, systemic disorders, such as high blood pressure, or s...Read Article Now Book Mark Article DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Smoking Around half of all fertilized eggs die and are lost (aborted) spontaneously, usually before the woman knows she is pregnant. Among women who know they are pregnant, about 10% to 25% will have a miscarriage. Most miscarriages occur during the first 7 weeks of pregnancy. The rate of miscarriage drops after the fetus's heartbeat is detected.The risk for miscarriage is higher:In women who are older -- The risk increases after 30 years of age and becomes even greater between 35 and 40 years, and is highest after age 40. In women who have already had one or more miscarriages. Symptoms 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 crampsSome women may not have any symptoms at the beginning. Exams and Tests During a pelvic exam, your provider may see that your cervix has opened (dilated).CervixThe cervix is the lower end of the womb (uterus). It is at the top of the vagina. It is about 2. 5 to 3. 5 centimeters (1 to 1. 3 inches) long. Th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Abdominal or vaginal ultrasound may be done to check the fetus's development and heartbeat, and the amount of your bleeding.AbdominalAbdominal ultrasound is a type of imaging test. It is used to look at organs in the abdomen, including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Vaginal ultrasoundTransvaginal ultrasound is a test used to look at a woman's uterus, ovaries, tubes, cervix and pelvic area. Transvaginal means across or through the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article The following blood tests may be performed:Blood type (if you have an Rh-negative blood type, you would require a treatment with Rho(D)-immune globulin [RhoGAM and other brands]). Rho(D)-immune globulin [RhoGAM and othe...Rh incompatibility is a condition that develops when a pregnant woman has Rh-negative blood and the baby in her womb has Rh-positive blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Complete blood count (CBC) to determine how much blood has been lost. Complete blood countA complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article HCG (qualitative) to confirm pregnancy. HCG (qualitative)A qualitative human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG or hCG) blood test checks if there is a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin in your blood. H...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article HCG (quantitative) done every several days or weeks. HCG (quantitative)A quantitative human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG or hCG) blood test measures the specific level of HCG in the blood. HCG is a hormone produced in th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article White blood count (WBC) and differential to check for infection.WBCA WBC count is a blood test to measure the number of white blood cells (WBCs) in the blood. It is a part of a complete blood count (CBC). WBCs are a...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article DifferentialThe blood differential test measures the percentage of each type of white blood cell (WBC) that you have in your blood. It also reveals if there are...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment 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.Hydatidiform moleHydatidiform mole (HM) is a rare mass or growth that forms inside the womb (uterus) at the beginning of a pregnancy. It is a type of gestational tro...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article If the pregnancy tissue does not naturally leave the body, you may be closely watched for up to 2 weeks. You may need a procedure (suction curettage, D and C) or medicine to remove the remaining contents from your uterus.Suction curettage, D and CAn abortion is a medical procedure that ends an undesired pregnancy by removing the fetus and placenta from the woman's uterus (womb). A medication ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article After treatment, women usually resume their normal menstrual cycle within 4 to 6 weeks. Any further vaginal bleeding should be carefully monitored. It is often possible to become pregnant immediately. It is suggested that you wait one normal menstrual cycle before trying to become pregnant again. Possible Complications In rare cases, complications of miscarriage can occur.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 fetus after 20 weeks of pregnancy receive different medical care. This is called premature delivery or fetal demise. This needs immediate medical attention.Premature deliveryA premature infant is a baby born before 37 full weeks of gestation (more than 3 weeks before the due date).Read Article Now Book Mark Article 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. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you:Have vaginal bleeding with or without cramping during pregnancy. Are pregnant and notice tissue or clot-like material that passes through your vagina. Collect the material and bring it to your provider for examination. Prevention 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.Threatened miscarriageA threatened miscarriage is a condition that indicates the potential for a miscarriage or early pregnancy loss. It might take place before the 20th ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Taking a prenatal vitamin or folic acid supplement before you become pregnant can greatly lower the chances of miscarriage and certain birth defects.Open ReferencesReferencesAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website. ACOG Guide to Language and Abortion. www.acog.org/contact/media-center/abortion-language-guide. Updated September 2023. Accessed April 2, 2024.Henn MC, Lall MD. Complications of pregnancy. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 173.Jauniaux ERM, Simpson JL. Pregnancy loss. In: Landon MB, Galan HL, Jauniaux ERM, et al, eds. Gabbe's Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 33.Reddy UM, Silver RM. Stillbirth. In: Lockwood CJ, Copel JA, Dugoff L, et al, eds. Creasy and Resnik's Maternal-Fetal Medicine: Principles and Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 42.Turocy J, Williams Z. Early and recurrent pregnancy loss; etiology, diagnosis, treatment. In: Gershenson DM, Lentz GM, Valea FA, Lobo RA, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 16.