In obstetrics, which term best describes miscarriage?

In obstetrics, which term best describes miscarriage?

• A. Ectopic pregnancy
• B. Stillbirth
• C. Molar pregnancy
• D. Miscarriage

Answer: (D)

Miscarriage denotes the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before the fetus is viable, typically before about 20 weeks gestation. It’s the medical term for spontaneous abortion. This is different from an ectopic pregnancy, where the embryo implants outside the uterus; a stillbirth, which is the death of a fetus after viability (usually later in gestation); and a molar pregnancy, which is a gestational trophoblastic disease with abnormal placental tissue. Therefore, the term that best fits the concept described is miscarriage.

Miscarriage denotes the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before the fetus is viable, typically before about 20 weeks gestation. It’s the medical term for spontaneous abortion. This is different from an ectopic pregnancy, where the embryo implants outside the uterus; a stillbirth, which is the death of a fetus after viability (usually later in gestation); and a molar pregnancy, which is a gestational trophoblastic disease with abnormal placental tissue. Therefore, the term that best fits the concept described is miscarriage.