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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week. About 15 to 20 percent of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. But the actual number is probably much higher because many miscarriages occur so early in pregnancy that a woman doesn't even know she's pregnant. Most miscarriages occur because the fetus isn't developing normally.

Miscarriage is a relatively common experience — but that doesn't make it any easier. Take a step toward emotional healing by understanding what can cause a miscarriage, what increases the risk and what medical care might be needed.

Symptoms
References
  1. Zuccala SJ, et al. Spontaneous miscarriage. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00028-7--sc0160&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00028-7--sc0160&uniqId=217216664-3. Accessed Sept. 7, 2010.
  2. Katz VL. Spontaneous and Recurrent Abortion: Etiology, Diagnosis, Treatment. In: Katz VL, et al., eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/217216664-7/0/1524/100.html?tocnode=53759223&fromURL=100.html. Accessed Sept. 7, 2010.
  3. Simpson JL, et al. Pregnancy loss. In: Gabbe, SG, et al. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/217216664-3/0/1528/242.html?tocnode=57027393&fromURL=242.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06930-7..50026-8_1154. Accessed Sept. 7, 2010.
  4. Early pregnancy loss: Miscarriage and moloar pregnancy.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp090.cfm. Accessed Sept. 7, 2010.
  5. Tulandi T, et al. Spontaneous abortion: Risk factors, etiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnostic evaluation. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 7, 2010.
  6. Tulandi T, et al. Spontaneous abortion: Management. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 7, 2010.
  7. Puscheck EE, et al. The impact of male factor on recurrent pregnancy loss. Current Opinion in Obstetrics & Gynecology: 2007;19:222..
  8. Harms RW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 7, 2010.
DS01105 Oct. 23, 2010

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