We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is an Incomplete Miscarriage?

By Felicia Dye
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 21,134
Share

A miscarriage is a condition in which a pregnant woman’s body releases fetal products before her baby completely develops. An incomplete miscarriage refers to a situation where a portion of the fetal tissue remains in the uterus. In some cases, the remaining tissue will be expelled without any medical intervention. When this is not the case, due to the risks, it may be necessary for the woman to undergo a dilatation and curettage, commonly referred to as a D&C.

During pregnancy, a fetus develops in the uterus. The cervix, the bottom portion of the uterus, has an opening referred to as the os. The os is the passage through which a baby would pass if the woman gave birth naturally.

In the event of an incomplete miscarriage, a woman’s cervix will dilate, or the os will open. She will bleed and portions of fetal matter will be expelled from her body. What makes the miscarriage incomplete is that although the os is open, all of the fetal tissue does not exit the uterus.

Sometimes the miscarriage will slowly proceed without any medical intervention. This process should not, however, be left to span for more than two weeks. In any case, if a person experiences an incomplete miscarriage she needs to get medical attention to ensure that all of the fetal tissue is removed.

In some cases, medical intervention is necessary. There is medication that can be dispensed that can help the body expel the remaining tissue. In many instances, however, an incomplete miscarriage is treated with a D&C. This is a procedure where dilation is induced and a doctor scrapes the uterus of the remaining fetal products. If fetal tissue is left inside of the uterus, there is a risk that serious infection will develop and a woman could experience complications including infertility.

This condition most commonly occurs during the first trimester, although it can occur later in the pregnancy. Symptoms that may alert a woman of this condition include heavy vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, and lower back pain. She may also notice the discharge of fluid and blood clots. When she seeks medical attention, she may be given a pregnancy test. The physician may also try to detect the remaining fetal products by using ultrasound.

This condition can be caused by a number of things, such as low quality sperm or eggs, substance abuse, or sexually transmitted infections. A woman may also experience incomplete miscarriages on other occasions. After each instance, her physician will likely prescribe antibiotics to prevent the development of infection and advise her to allow at least one menstrual cycle to pass before attempting to conceive again.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-an-incomplete-miscarriage.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.