What is a miscarriage?
Miscarriage is a spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week. Approximately 10-20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, however the actual number could be much higher because many pregnancy losses occur before a woman even knows she is pregnant (Mayo Clinic, 2013). In 2008, the United States CDC reported that 1,118,000 out of 6,578,000 total pregnancies ended in miscarriage (National Vital Statistics Reports, Vol. 60, No. 7, June 20, 2012). Becoming aware of the occurrence of a miscarriage can help you in your decision making process if you are considering abortion or seeking an abortion clinic.
How do you know if you are having a miscarriage (lose your pregnancy)? Most miscarriages occur before the 12th week of pregnancy. Signs that you may be miscarrying might include vaginal spotting, pain or cramping in your pelvic area or back, or fluid or tissue passing from your vagina. If you know you are pregnant and you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek care right away from a healthcare provider such as an OBGYN physician or through an emergency room (Mayo Clinic, July 9, 2013). Miscarriages are most often caused when an embryo receives an abnormal number of chromosomes. An embryo with an abnormal number of chromosomes often cannot survive, and the pregnancy may be lost (ACOG, FAQ 090, August 2013).