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Ency. home > Disease > A > Abortion - spontaneous

Abortion - spontaneous    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Miscarriage

Treatment

Treatment for threatened abortion varies from restrictions on some forms of exercise to complete bed rest. Abstaining from intercourse is usually recommended until signs have disappeared.

In the event of spontaneous abortion, the tissue passed from the vagina should be examined to determine the source of the tissue (fetal vs. hydatidiform mole) and if any fetal tissue remains in the uterus (incomplete abortion).

Missed abortions that do not abort naturally and incomplete spontaneous abortions may require surgical removal of retained tissue (D and C procedure). Any further vaginal bleeding should be carefully monitored.

Prognosis

Maternal outcome is good and complications are rare. Waiting a few months before trying to become pregnant again is usually recommended.

Complications

  • Retained dead fetal tissue in the uterus is referred to as an incomplete abortion. This may cause infection and the retained uterine tissue must be removed surgically (D and C ).
  • An infection may occur after either a complete or incomplete abortion.
  • In a missed abortion, the demise of the pregnancy is discovered before the appearance of any symptoms. A D and C, or a D and E can be performed to remove all of the dead tissue. Some patients choose to await spontaneous expulsion.
  • The death of a second or third trimester pregnancy is addressed differently than a first trimester loss. These are usually called intrauterine fetal demises (IUFD). If the dead fetus remains in the uterus for too long, an abnormal activation of blood clotting systems (coagulation and fibrinolytic systems) can develop in response to the release of anti-clotting chemicals from the retained dead fetus. This can adversely affect maternal health. 

Call Your Health Care Provider If:

Call your health care provider if vaginal bleeding with or without cramping occurs during pregnancy.

Call your health care provider if you are pregnant and notice tissue or clot-like material passed vaginally (any such material should be collected and brought in for examination).

Ency. home > Disease > A > Abortion - spontaneous

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