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Miscarriage - threatened - Symptom

Alternative Names

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

Symptoms:

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.

Signs and tests:

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

Miscarriage

Early pregnancy

Reviewed last on: 11/21/2010
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.

References

Katz VL. Spontaneous and recurrent abortion: etiology, diagnosis, treatment. In: Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 16.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ACOG Committee opinion no. 462: Moderate caffeine consumption during pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol.2010 Aug;116(2 Pt 1):467-8.

Cunnigham FG, Leveno KL, Bloom SL, et al. Abortion. In: Cunnigham FG, Leveno KL, Bloom SL, et al, eds. Williams Obstetrics. 23rd ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2010:chap 9.

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