Definition: Abortion, spontaneous | Med Terms

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ABORTION, SPONTANEOUS

Abortion is the separation of products of conception from the uterus prior to the potential for fetal survival outside the uterus. Gestationally, the point at which potential fetal viability exists has been the subject of much legal and scientific debate, and definitions vary from state to state; however, a "potentially viable" fetus generally weighs at least 500 grams and/or has a gestational age over 20 weeks.;Spontaneous abortion: refers to expulsion of all (complete abortion) or part (incomplete abortion) of the products of conception from the uterus prior to the 20th completed week of gestation. The placenta, either in whole or in part, can be retained and leads to continuing vaginal bleeding (sometimes profuse). Abortion is "threatened" when vaginal bleeding occurs early in pregnancy, with or without uterine contractions, but without dilatation of the cervix, rupture of the membranes, or expulsion of products of conception. Cervical dilation, rupture of membranes or expulsion of products in the presence of vaginal bleeding portends "inevitable abortion." Differentiation between threatened and inevitable abortion is desirable since management differs.;Missed abortion: Failed first trimester pregnancy but without the usual signs and symptoms such as bleeding or cramping. Term blighted ovum replaced with anembryonic gestation. Ultrasound findings of "empty sac.";Induced abortion: refers to the evacuation of uterine contents/products of conception by either medical or surgical methodology;Infected abortion: infection involving the products of conception and the maternal reproductive organs;Septic abortion: dissemination of bacteria (and/or their toxins) into the maternal circulatory and organ system;Habitual spontaneous abortion: three or more consecutive spontaneous abortions. Risk of another spontaneous abortion is approximately 25-30% with 70% rate of successful pregnancy in subsequent pregnancy.

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