O03: Spontaneous abortion

Spontaneous abortion, commonly referred to as miscarriage, is a group of conditions defined by the loss of a pregnancy before the fetus can survive independently, typically before the 20th week of gestation. Various factors can cause spontaneous abortion, including chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus, advanced maternal age, certain health conditions in the mother like diabetes, or lifestyle factors such as smoking or drug use. Symptoms may include vaginal bleeding, abdominal cramping or pain, and the expulsion of tissue or clot-like material. This abrupt end to pregnancy may result in physical complications such as infection or excessive bleeding, along with emotional distress. Women experiencing a spontaneous abortion are often aware that something is wrong due to the symptoms, but confirmation generally requires medical testing such as blood tests or ultrasound. It's important to note that having one spontaneous abortion doesn't necessarily increase the risk of having another in the future.