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Summary of features of different types of abortion

Authoring team

The table below summarises the characteristics of different types of abortion.

Types of Abortion:

  • threatened abortion - minimal pain; bleeding <K; cervix closed; uterine size = dates; ultrasound = FH visualised

  • inevitable - pain+; bleeding >K; cervix = open; uterine size = dates; ultrasound FH may/may not be visualised

  • complete - no pain; bleeding < K; cervix = closing; uterine size = dates; ultrasound = empty uterus

  • incomplete - pain +/-; bleeding >>K; cervix = open; uterine size = or < dates; ultrasound = retained products/no fetal heart

  • missed - no pain; bleeding = minimal brown; cervix = closed; uterine size = small; ultrasound = no fetal heart

Key: K = bleeding equivalent to menstruation; FH = fetal heart

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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