Threatened miscarriage; Threatened spontaneous abortion; Abortion - threatened; Threatened abortion

Symptoms of a threatened miscarriage include:

• Abdominal cramps with or without vaginal bleeding
• Vaginal bleeding during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy (last menstrual period was less than 20 weeks ago)

Note: During an actual miscarriage, low back pain or abdominal pain (dull to sharp, constant to intermittent) typically occurs, and tissue or clot-like material may pass from the vagina.

Abdominal or vaginal ultrasound may be done to check the baby's development, heart beat, and amount of bleeding. A pelvic exam will be done to check the cervix.

The following blood tests may be performed:

• Beta HCG (quantitative) test over a period of days or weeks to confirm whether the pregnancy is continuing
• Complete blood count (CBC) to determine amount of blood loss
• Pregnancy test to confirm pregnancy
• Progesterone level
• White blood count (WBC) with differential to rule out infection

Images

Miscarriage

Early pregnancy

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Review Date: 11/21/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)