Abortion

Intentional or naturally occurring termination of pregnancy before the fetus is developed enough to survive outside the uterus (generally before approximately 20 weeks’ gestation).

• Incomplete abortion: Passage of some, but not all, fetal or placental tissue from the uterus before 20 weeks’ gestation.
• Induced abortion: Intentional medical or surgical termination of pregnancy.
  • Elective abortion: Induced abortion performed at the woman’s request.
  • Therapeutic abortion: Induced abortion performed to preserve the mother’s health or life.
• Inevitable abortion: Opening of the cervix with uterine bleeding before 20 weeks’ gestation.
• Missed abortion: Death of the fetus before 20 weeks’ gestation without expulsion of the fetus.
• Septic abortion: Abortion accompanied by infection of the uterus.
• Spontaneous abortion: Naturally occurring abortion before 20 weeks’ gestation; commonly referred to as a miscarriage.
• Threatened abortion: Uterine bleeding at less than 20 weeks’ gestation without opening or other change in the cervix.