My WebMD Sign In, Sign Up
WebMD Home

Ask Your Question

WebMD Answers

120 Characters remaining
120 Characters remaining
  • First, try and keep your question as short as possible.
  • Include specific words that will help us identify questions that may already have your answer.
  • If you don't find your answer, you can post your question to WebMD Experts and Contributors.

Close

Featuring Experts From

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See all
Back to List
  |  
Next Question
Didn't find your answer? Post to
WebMD Experts and Contributors
Q.

What is a miscarriage?

Related Topics: Miscarriage
Posted:
| Report This Report Question
Answer This
 

Answers From Experts & Organizations (1)

WebMDSUCCESS!
WebMD
7,873 Answers
94,474 Helpful Votes
149 Followers
A.

A miscarriage is the loss (death) of a baby before the 20th week of pregnancy. The medical term for a miscarriage is spontaneous abortion, but the condition is not an abortion in the common definition of the term.

According to the March of Dimes, as many as 50% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage -- most often before a woman misses a menstrual period or even knows she is pregnant. About 15% of recognized pregnancies will end in a miscarriage.

More than 80% of miscarriages occur within the first three months of pregnancy. Less likely they occur after 20 weeks gestation; these are termed late miscarriages.

This answer should not be considered medical advice...down arrowThis answer should not be considered medical advice and should not take the place of a doctor’s visit. Please see the bottom of the page for more information or visit our Terms and Conditions.up arrow

Posted:
| Report This Report Answer

Was this helpful?

YesNo

Thanks for your feedback.

60 of 70 found this helpful
Read the Original Article: Pregnancy and Miscarriage
 
 
1 Answer

Next Question:

How is a miscarriage diagnosed and treated? Next Question