What is the difference between miscarriage and abortion?

Although miscarriage and abortion are often used interchangeably in daily language, there are obvious differences between miscarriage and abortion in definition, time of occurrence, cause, classification, and medical identification.

1. Definition: Miscarriage usually refers to the spontaneous death of a fetus that has already formed within 12 to 28 weeks of pregnancy. In traditional Chinese medicine, there are broad and narrow definitions. Here we discuss the narrow definition of miscarriage, which refers to the situation where the fetus is difficult to keep. Abortion refers to the termination of pregnancy before 28 weeks of pregnancy and the fetus weighing less than 1000g, including spontaneous abortion and artificial abortion.

2. Time of occurrence: Miscarriage refers specifically to the natural death of the fetus that occurs in the early or middle stages of pregnancy (i.e. within 28 weeks). Abortion covers any time from the beginning of pregnancy to within 28 weeks, and includes artificial termination of pregnancy.

3. Causes: The causes of miscarriage are mostly related to weak Qi and blood, kidney deficiency, blood heat and trauma, or caused by poisons that hurt the fetus. The causes of abortion are more extensive, including abnormal embryo development, maternal systemic diseases, endocrine disorders, reproductive organ diseases, etc., and also include artificial abortion.

4. Classification: Miscarriage can be further divided into different types in traditional Chinese medicine, such as half-birth, half-birth, and miscarriage, all of which refer to the natural death of the fetus. Abortion is clearly divided into natural abortion and artificial abortion, and can be divided into early abortion and late abortion according to the time of occurrence.

5. Medical recognition: Miscarriage is more commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine theory, emphasizing the natural process. Abortion is a term in modern medicine, covering both natural and artificial ways of terminating pregnancy.

If any physical or psychological discomfort occurs during miscarriage or abortion, it is recommended to seek medical treatment promptly.