The loss of a pregnancy is one of the most emotionally devastating things to happen to a person or couple. And while explaining and using the medical terminology may seem a little clinical and even cold, and won’t make coping with a miscarriage any less difficult, it can make the idea of a miscarriage a little easier to understand.

So, medically speaking, what is a miscarriage?

A miscarriage is a pregnancy that ends naturally and spontaneously before the baby or fetus can survive outside of the womb. When doctors refer to a baby’s capacity to live outside of the womb, they use the term ‘viability’. Viability is defined by either the length of time since the last period, known as the gestational age of the pregnancy, or the baby’s size and weight. This is because not all babies will be the same weight and size at the same point in pregnancy and it is a baby’s size that generally dictates whether it will survive outside of the womb, not necessarily how long it has been in the womb.

This can however lead to some confusion in terms of what is deemed a miscarriage and what is referred to as a stillbirth. Before we move on, we’d again like to point out that this information can be very upsetting and even triggering for some. While many find it helpful to read up on these things, this isn’t true of everyone. So don’t feel that you must continue reading if you are struggling.

What is the difference between a miscarriage and a stillbirth?

The difference between miscarriage and stillbirth really comes down to timing. A miscarriage can take place at any point after receiving a positive test to 24 weeks of gestation. From this point onwards, the delivery of a baby who dies is referred to as a stillbirth.

Nowadays, babies born prematurely, between 24 and 28 weeks, do have a much better chance of surviving if the right medical expertise and neonatal care are available. For this reason, mothers who are considered to be at risk of premature birth are transferred to hospitals with the appropriate facilities. That way, the baby has the very best chance of survival.

Now, there are instances where a miscarriage might be referred to as an abortion by a medical professional. This can be very distressing for parents to hear. However, among doctors, the term ‘abortion’ actually refers to any pregnancy that ended before its time. This includes a spontaneous loss of a baby before 24 weeks (a miscarriage) or a deliberate termination of a pregnancy for social or health reasons. Thankfully, there is greater awareness now of practising greater sensitivity in hospitals. So, hopefully, any references that cause expecting couples any distress happen less and less nowadays.

What is a miscarriage?

Unii explains miscarriage, one of the most devastating parts of any parent's preconception journey.