Sub Topics:Gynecology and Obstetrics
Gynecology and Obstetrics is a medical specialty...
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) is a subspecialty of obstetrics and gynecology focused...
Spontaneous abortion, commonly known as miscarriage, refers to the unintentional loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks of gestation. It is a common reproductive event, occurring in approximately 10–20% of recognized pregnancies.
Threatened Miscarriage: Vaginal bleeding occurs, but the cervix remains closed and the pregnancy may still continue.
Inevitable Miscarriage: Bleeding with cervical dilation, indicating that miscarriage is in progress and cannot be prevented.
Incomplete Miscarriage: Some pregnancy tissue is expelled, but some remains in the uterus.
Complete Miscarriage: All pregnancy tissue has been passed, and the uterus is empty.
Missed Miscarriage: The fetus has died, but there are no immediate symptoms; diagnosed via ultrasound.
Recurrent Miscarriage: Defined as two or more consecutive pregnancy losses.
Chromosomal abnormalities (most common)
Maternal age over 35
Hormonal imbalances (e.g., low progesterone)
Chronic health conditions (e.g., diabetes, thyroid disorders)
Infections
Lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol, drug use)
Uterine abnormalities
Ultrasound and hCG testing confirm the presence and viability of the pregnancy.
Management options include:
Expectant management: Waiting for the miscarriage to complete naturally
Medical management: Using medications like misoprostol to help expel tissue
Surgical management: Procedures such as dilation and curettage (D&C) to remove tissue
Miscarriage can be emotionally devastating. Compassionate care includes:
Clear communication and counseling
Mental health support and grief resources
Reassurance about future pregnancy potential, if appropriate
While many miscarriages cannot be prevented, identifying underlying causes (e.g., autoimmune disorders, anatomical issues, infections) can guide treatment for future pregnancies.