Miscarriage

"Miscarriage" is the common term for the natural or accidental termination of a pregnancy at a stage where the embryo or the fetus is incapable of surviving. Miscarriages are the most common complication of pregnancy.

Related Topics:
Pregnancy - Embryo - Fetus

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In medical terms, any terminated pregnancy is an "abortion," whether the abortion is deliberately induced or not. Natural deaths (miscarriages) are termed as "spontaneous abortions." However, the medical terms can be confused with "deliberate abortion," and the term "miscarriage" is used outside of medical terms.

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In medical terms, no political or moral distinction is made between deliberate and spontaneous abortions —all pregnancy losses prior to 20 weeks gestation are considered "miscarriages."

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