Abortion

Termination, partway through their development, of parts that are usually present; usually of flowers or fruits.

An imperfect formation, or the non-formation, of some part.

The intentional removal (induced) or the spontaneous (natural) expulsion of the fetus or embryo from the uterus before it can survive on its own.

Termination of a pregnancy before the fetus has attained viability, i.e. become capable of independent extra-uterine life. Viability is usually defined in terms of the duration of pregnancy, weight of the fetus, and or, occasionally, the length of recent inquiry by WHO revealed considerable variation in the definitions used in different countries. It has traditionally been assumed that viability is attained at 28 weeks of gestation, corresponding: to a fetal weight of approximately 1000 g. This definition is based on the observation that infants below this weight have little chance of survival, while the mortality of infants above 1000 g. declines rapidly. A variety of different types of abortions is distinguished: early—less than twelve completed weeks of gestation; late—more than twelve weeks; induced—caused by deliberate action undertaken with the intention of terminating pregnancy; spontaneous—all abortions other than induced ones, even if externally caused, for instance by trauma or treatment of an independent condition: therapeutic—caused for the treatment of the pregnant woman.

Situation where a fetus leaves the uterus before it is fully developed, especially during the first 28 weeks of pregnancy, or a procedure which causes this to happen.

Termination of a pregnancy, whether involuntarily or deliberately. Many abortions occur naturally, often because of genetic defects in the embryo that are incompatible with life; medically these are called spontaneous abortions or miscarriages. At least 10 percent, and perhaps closer to 30 percent, of all pregnancies are thought to end in spontaneous abortions, often before the woman realizes she is pregnant.

Termination of pregnancy; expulsion or removal of the embryo or fetus before it has reached full development and can normally be expected to be capable of independent life. It may be spontaneous or induced.

Miscarriage; loss of pregnancy that may be spontaneous or induced by medication or surgery.

The expulsion or removal of an embryo or fetus from the womb at a stage of pregnancy when it is incapable of independent survival (i.e. at any time between conception and the 28th week of pregnancy). In threatened abortion there is abdominal pain and bleeding from the womb but the fetus is still alive; once the fetus is dead abortion becomes inevitable. It is incomplete so long as the womb still contains some of the fetus or its membranes. Abortion may be spontaneous (a miscarriage) or it may be induced for medical or social reasons (termination of pregnancy). The abortion rate (the number of pregnancies lost per 1(XX) conceptions) is impossible to calculate precisely but is generally reckoned to be between one fifth and one third.

Giving birth to an embryo or fetus before the fetus is capable of independent life (about the 20th week of gestation or after reaching about 500 grams (1 pound, 2 ounces) in weight). (A premature birth is one which occurs after the infant is generally capable of independent life.)

Abortion is defined as the expulsion of a fetus before it is normally viable, usually before 24 weeks of pregnancy. (There are exceptional cases nowadays in which fetuses as young as 22 weeks’ gestation have survived.)

The spontaneous or induced termination of pregnancy before the fetus reaches a viable age. The legal definition of viability usually 20 to 24 weeks differs from state to state. Some premature neonates of fewer than 24 weeks or 500 g are viable. Symptoms of spontaneous abortion include abdominal cramps and vaginal bleeding, sometimes with the passage of clots or bits of tissue.