Miscarriage: A miscarriage (spontaneous abortion) is a pregnancy that spontaneously ends before the fetus can survive. There are classifications of miscarriage that include
threatened, inevitable, incomplete, and complete miscarriage.
There are a variety of causes of a miscarriage. Causes of miscarriage include
defective genes of the fetus, chronic illness, including diabetes, severe high blood pressure, kidney disease, lupus, and underactive or overactive thyroid gland, acute infections, including Germany measles, CMV, and mycoplasma (walking pneumonia), diseases and abnormalities of the internal female organs, and other factors, including certain drugs like alcohol, tobacco, and cocaine. Symptoms and signs of a miscarriage are vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, and cramping. If a woman thinks she may be having a miscarriage, she should seek medical care with her doctor or go to an emergency department.
Must Read Articles:
-
Dilation and Curettage (D&C)
The dilation and curettage procedure (D&C). This is a safe procedure that a woman may need to have performed for a variety of reasons such as irregularbleeding, bleeding after menopause, uterine fibroids or polyps, or a treatment when the source is already known. -
Ectopic Pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy is a condition in which a pregnancy develops inside of a Fallopian tube or outside of a woman's uterus. Causes and risk factors for ectopic pregnancy include previous Fallopian tube infections (pelvic inflammatory disease, Chlamydia, gonorrhea), previous surgery to the abdomen, use of fertility medications, prior tubal pregnancy, and use of an IUD. Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy include pelvic pain and vaginal bleeding. If you suspect you have an ectopic pregnancy, medical care should be sought urgently. -
Pregnancy, Bleeding
Bleeding during all phases of pregnancy may be dangerous, even though it can be caused by a large variety of factors. You should call your health care professional if you have any signs of vaginal bleeding during your pregnancy. -
Threatened Miscarriage
A threatened miscarriage is any vaginal bleeding other than spotting during early pregnancy. There may be causes for a threatened miscarriage such as an abnormal fetus, chronic illness of the mother, acute infections, and other factors (alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs). -
Vaginal Bleeding
In women, abnormal vaginal bleeding when is when they are not on their period (menstruation). Symptoms of abnormal vaginal bleeding outside of your period include red blood on the underwear or pajamas, pelvic or abdominal pain, and excessive pain from menstruating, or if you are pregnant. Causes of abnormal vaginal bleeding include unbalanced hormones, during pregnancy, after trauma, uterine fibroids, menopause, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Treatment for abnormal bleeding depends on the cause of the bleeding. Talk to your doctor or another healthcare professional if you have any abnormal vaginal bleeding. -
What Are Abortion and Miscarriage
Abortion is a term that refers to the termination of a pregnancy. This can occur with medical intervention such as medications or surgical procedures or it can occur on its own. A miscarriage is called a spontaneous abortion, and refers to a pregnancy loss before the 20th week of gestation or the expulsion an embryo or fetus weighing 500g or less. Miscarriage at this stage occurs in about 31% of pregnancies
Featured:
Threatened Miscarriage A threatened miscarriage is any vaginal bleeding other than spotting during early pregnancy. There may be causes for a threatened miscarriage such as an abnormal fetus, chronic illness of the mother, acute infections, and other factors (alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs).
Expert Views and News
- Four Steps to Reduce Maternal Mortality
- Blood Thinner Doesn't Prevent Miscarriages: Study
- Expert Q&A: Childhood Vaccine Safety
- About 20% of White Women Smoke While Pregnant
- Nicotine Patches Fail Most Pregnant Smokers
- Secondhand Smoke Raises Stillbirth Risk
- Depression After Miscarriage Can Linger
- Down Syndrome Blood Test Soon?
- Mom's Blood Sample Yields Unborn Baby's Genetics
- Pregnancy After Miscarriage
Miscarriage Topic Guide - Visuals
Slideshows, Pictures, Images, and Quizzes:
-
Quiz
Miscarriage Topic Guide – Related Topics
Related Topics:
Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are benign tumors (non-cancerous tumors) of a woman's uterus. The exact reason why some women develop uterine fibroids is not known. Obesity, n...learn more »
Ovarian Cysts
There are several different types of ovarian cysts (noncancerous growths). Follicular, corpus luteum, hemorrhagic, dermoid, endometrioid (endometriomas), learn more »