Does a natural miscarriage count as an abortion?

Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
Updated on September 15, 2024
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Is miscarriage considered the same as abortion? These are not the same concepts, but they share similarities. Miscarriage is due to factors related to the mother or fetus, leading to the natural loss of the embryo, whereas abortion involves artificially inducing the removal of the embryo from the womb. Although miscarriages might also result in some postpartum complications, abortions tend to have more complications due to the artificial means involved. These artificial ways include surgical abortion procedures, during which there might be risks of infection and damage to the uterine lining.

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Written by Liu Wen Li
Obstetrics
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How long does a blighted ovum naturally miscarry?

There are two situations regarding a pregnancy with an empty sac. One situation is that the embryo does not develop well and remains an empty sac. In another situation, it is possible to wait for another 4 to 5 days or a week and then recheck with an ultrasound. It might be that the development is just occurring later than usual, and thus, no embryonic bud has developed at the time of the initial ultrasound, displaying an empty sac. As for how long it will take for the empty sac to be expelled, there is no definite timeframe. In some cases, it is not necessary to wait for it to be expelled naturally; active measures such as medication treatment or surgical abortion can be taken.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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What are the symptoms of a natural miscarriage?

During a natural miscarriage, the most typical clinical symptoms include abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. Based on the different symptoms of a natural miscarriage, women should undergo differential diagnosis. When a woman experiences abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding, it may initially suggest a threatened miscarriage. If the abdominal pain worsens and vaginal bleeding increases, it could progress to an inevitable miscarriage. An inevitable miscarriage can further be classified into complete or incomplete miscarriage. In the case of a complete miscarriage, the abdominal pain generally subsides gradually, and the vaginal bleeding eventually stops. In contrast, during an incomplete miscarriage, the vaginal bleeding lasts longer, and the abdominal pain is prolonged. At this point, it is necessary to visit a hospital for an examination to check if there are any remnants in the uterine cavity and to receive further treatment.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Does a natural miscarriage require a uterine cleaning (D&C)?

When a miscarriage occurs, whether a uterine cleaning is needed depends on whether there are any remnants in the uterine cavity as shown by a follow-up ultrasound examination, that is, to see if the miscarriage was complete. If the examination reveals significant remnants in the uterine cavity after the miscarriage, then a uterine cleaning treatment is required. Most women do not need a uterine cleaning after a natural miscarriage, as typically the bleeding will stop around 7-10 days post-miscarriage. Therefore, women should focus on resting, improving their nutrition, and enhancing their body's resistance to prevent any potential complications after a natural miscarriage.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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What is lochia after a natural miscarriage?

Vaginal bleeding is a symptom of natural miscarriage, and this is known as lochia. Lochia is the discharge from the vagina after childbirth, typically ceasing about a week postpartum. After a natural miscarriage, normal bleeding lochia generally has a bloody smell but does not have any other odorous scents. Following a natural miscarriage, it is important to monitor the expulsion of lochia, paying attention to its amount, color, and odor changes, as these factors can reflect the recovery of the uterus. Normally, the lochia will clear up around a week, and it should not last longer than two weeks at most. If lochia persists for an extended period after the miscarriage and is accompanied by abdominal discomfort, a hospital visit is necessary for a follow-up to check the condition of the uterus.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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How long does it take for the lochia to clear after a natural miscarriage?

Generally, lochia can be cleared within a week after a natural miscarriage occurs. The duration of lochia discharge during a natural miscarriage is also related to the length of pregnancy. If the miscarriage occurs during a later stage of pregnancy, there may be a longer period of vaginal bleeding because the endometrium is thicker, potentially requiring about ten days. Typically, it will clear within a week, and it should not last more than ten days at most. It is advised for women to undergo a medical examination at a hospital two weeks after a natural miscarriage, at which time the recovery of the uterus and any remaining tissues can be assessed. After such a miscarriage, it is important to rest, enhance nutrition, and abstain from intercourse for a month.