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Spontaneous abortion

The Involuntary loss of a pregnancy before fetal viability (20

weeks gestation).  Spontanous abortion is also known as miscarriage.  The stages of spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) may include:

  • Threated abortion - (pregnancy may continue)
  • Inevitable abortion - (pregnancy will NOT continue and will proceed to incomplete or complete abortion
  • Incomplete abortion - (produces of conception are partially expelled)
  • Complete abortion - (products of conception are completely expelled)

Vaginal bleeding may be heavy or excessive. The mother may present in a state of shock due to products of conception becoming trapped in the cervix (incomplete abortion),