Keywords

  1. 1.

    Occurs before 20 weeks’ gestation or when fetus weighs <500 g

  2. 2.

    Etiology : chromosomal (50–80%), remainder are immunologic mechanisms, maternal infections, endocrine abnormalities (e.g. poorly controlled DM), uterine anomalies, incompetent cervix, debilitating maternal disease, trauma, and possibly environmental exposures (e.g. irradiation, smoking, certain drugs)

  3. 3.

    Threatened abortion : uterine bleeding without cervical dilation <20 weeks gestation

  4. 4.

    Inevitable abortion: cervical dilation or rupture of membranes without expulsion of fetus or placenta

  5. 5.

    Complete abortion : total, spontaneous rupture of fetus and placenta

  6. 6.

    Incomplete abortion : partial expulsion of uterine contents

  7. 7.

    Rh negative mothers must receive Rho(D) immune globulin to prevent Rh sensitization