Miscarriage vs Abortion - What is the Difference between Them?
There is often confusion in understanding miscarriage vs abortion. While both involve the termination of a pregnancy, there are some key differences between the two.
The main difference between abortion and miscarriage is that abortions are induced, while miscarriages occur naturally. In other words, an abortion is a planned termination of a pregnancy, while a miscarriage is an unplanned one. Read the blog to learn the difference between miscarriage and abortion.
What is an Abortion?
Abortion is a legal procedure by which a woman can end her pregnancy deliberately. It can be done till the 24th week of gestation. A pregnant woman can abort her pregnancy using medicines or surgery if she doesn’t want to deliver the baby.
It is better to abort in the early stages of pregnancy to reduce risks. As it involves going through emotional turmoil, the patient must consider carefully and take the advice of specialists before going ahead with the procedure.
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What is Miscarriage?
Miscarriage is the ending of the pregnancy naturally before the 20th week. Miscarriages are also called spontaneous abortions. The majority of miscarriages are unavoidable and happen when the foetus stops developing.
Miscarriages are very common in the first trimester of pregnancy. The most common signs of miscarriage include bleeding of tissues and clots, abdominal cramps and lower back pain.
Difference between Abortion and Miscarriage
Miscarriage and abortion are two very different things. Miscarriage can happen for various reasons like problems related to the uterus or placenta.
Abortion, on the other hand, is a deliberate termination of a pregnancy. It can be done for various reasons, including if the pregnancy is unwanted or if there are health problems for the mother or baby. The difference between abortion and miscarriage are:
Parameters |
Abortion | Miscarriage |
Duration |
Planned termination before 24 weeks | Loss of pregnancy before 20 weeks |
Choice |
Deliberate termination | Not a choice |
Process |
Abortions are induced | Miscarriage is natural |
Medical Intervention |
Required | Happens spontaneously |
Prevention |
Can be prevented | Cannot be prevented |
Law |
Legal | No laws required |
Trauma |
Not a tragedy | Can lead to physical and emotional trauma |
Conditions Leading to Miscarriage vs Abortion
There can be various factors for terminating a pregnancy. Miscarriage can happen for many reasons, such as health-related or lifestyle. In rare cases, an accident or assault also causes miscarriage. In comparison, abortion is a decision based on the mother.
Some of the common causes of miscarriage are:
- Hormone problems
- Clotting disorders
- Infections like bacterial vaginosis, HIV or gonorrhoea
- Uterine fibroids
- Uterine adhesions are where the inner walls of the uterus stick together
- Uterine polyps
- Uterine septums
- Penetrating injuries in the abdominal region
- Partner abuse
On the other hand, a woman may choose abortion for the following reasons:
- To end an unwanted pregnancy
- Risk of inherited or congenital disease in the developing foetus
- To remove the foetal tissues left after miscarriage
- Life-threatening complications of the mother or the foetus
Risks and Complications of Abortion vs Miscarriage
Miscarriages are due to natural and unpreventable causes, which need medical intervention to reduce the risks. In contrast, abortion is a safe procedure with fewer risks.
The risk of miscarriage includes:
- Fever
- Chills
- Lower abdominal tenderness
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Infection in the uterus
The risks of abortion include:
- Incomplete abortion (in the case of medical abortion)
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Damage to the cervix
- Perforation of the uterus
Treatment Modalities of Miscarriage vs Abortion
A doctor can perform D&C method to remove all the foetal tissues in the case of miscarriage. It is a safe procedure that uses a surgical instrument to clean the uterine lining.
Your doctor will give you guidelines on what to eat and drink before the surgery. As its name implies, a D&C consists of two steps:
- Cervical Dilation is necessary to allow the insertion of a surgical instrument.
- Curettage involves removing uterine tissue and cleaning the lining of the uterus to remove any foetal tissues.
The abortion method depends on the gestational age of the pregnancy. There are two types of abortion, Medical Abortion and Surgical Abortion.
- Medical Abortion: It is done using medicines. Two medicines, namely, Mifepristone and Misoprostol, are given to terminate the pregnancy. It is done before 9 weeks of the gestational period.
- Surgical Abortion: The pregnancy is terminated through a surgical procedure. The D&C procedure can be followed by medical abortion. After 9 weeks of pregnancy, a surgical abortion is considered to terminate the pregnancy.
Takeaway
Both miscarriage and abortion are two ways in which a pregnancy is terminated. An important point to note here is that neither of these events can prevent a woman from becoming pregnant again, provided the treatment is done by qualified specialists.
Our experts at HexaHealth are always ready to provide you with the necessary assistance and support should you require any advice or treatment for miscarriage or an abortion. Check out our website and get in touch with a HexaHealth expert today.Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between miscarriage and abortion?
Miscarriage is the loss of pregnancy without the consent of the mother, whereas abortion is a conscious decision to terminate a pregnancy.
What is abortion?
1. Medical Abortion
2. Surgical Abortion
What is a miscarriage?
How do I know I've had a miscarriage?
How long does a miscarriage last?
What is a false miscarriage?
Can you have a miscarriage from stress?
When can I start using birth control after my abortion?
What is done after a miscarriage?
How will doctor diagnose a miscarriage?
- Pelvic examination
- Ultrasound scan
- Blood test - Human Chorionic Gonadotropin test
How long do you stay in the hospital after a miscarriage?
What happens if you have a miscarriage and the foetus remains in the uterus?
Will a pregnancy test be negative after a miscarriage?
How long does a medication abortion take?
I’m breastfeeding. Is it safe for me to have a medication abortion?
Updated on : 9 February 2024
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A specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology with a rich experience of over 21 years is currently working in HealthFort Clinic. She has expertise in Hymenoplasty, Vaginoplasty, Vaginal Tightening, Labiaplasty, MTP (Medical Termination...View More
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