A threatened miscarriage is where there is bleeding from the vagina during the course of pregnancy. This may settle down and the pregnancy proceed to term. But if the cervix dilates and the membranes rupture, then the term used is inevitable abortion.
Incomplete abortion means that some placental tissue has been retained within the uterus or womb.
This miscarriage is usually associated with bleeding which may be heavy, and pain, backache or lower abdominal cramp, just like a mini-labor.
Very few miscarriages are complete — that is, all the products of conception completely discharged.
Most doctors would consider that all cases of miscarriage require the operation of D and Ñ — dilatation and curettage — to remove the products of conception.
If the womb is not completely emptied, then the retained placental tissue may cause infection or, later on, heavy or irregular periods.
A missed abortion is where death of the foetus has occurred. The symptoms of pregnancy disappear, but there may be no bleeding.
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