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Pregnancy Loss (Before 20 Weeks of Pregnancy)
Pregnancy loss occurs when a pregnancy ends unexpectedly before the 20th week. It is sometimes called early pregnancy loss, mid-trimester pregnancy loss, miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, or fetal demise. We use the term "pregnancy loss" throughout this information.
NICHD supports and conducts research on the causes of this type of pregnancy loss and other topics that affect maternal health, fertility, and the likelihood of a successful pregnancy.
Additional research on pregnancy and pregnancy complications also informs our knowledge about pregnancy loss, in keeping with the overarching NICHD goal of helping women have healthy pregnancies that result in healthy babies.
General Information
Pregnancy loss before 20 weeks of pregnancy is the spontaneous loss of a fetus within this time frame of pregnancy.
Symptoms can include bleeding from the vagina, pain or cramps in the abdomen, or clot-like material passing from the vagina. But sometimes there are no symptoms.
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Common causes include problems with fetal chromosomes, maternal health issues, infections, and environmental exposures. In many cases, no cause can be identified.
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The method of diagnosis depends on the timing during pregnancy. Blood tests, ultrasounds, and a pelvic exam may all be used to check whether a pregnancy loss has occurred.
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Women usually cannot prevent miscarriages. Being in good health before pregnancy and getting regular prenatal care may help to identify or prevent problems that may result in miscarriage.
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Research
NICHD conducts and supports research on pregnancy loss and on many disorders associated with pregnancy loss.
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Find a Study
NICHD conducts and supports a variety of clinical research projects related to pregnancy loss.
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More Information
Find answers to other common questions about pregnancy loss, such as when couples can start trying to conceive again after a pregnancy loss.
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Links to websites of groups that study or provide information about pregnancy loss.
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