By definition, a missed abortion is in utero death of the embryo or fetus before the 20th week of gestation with retained products of conception. Missed abortions also may be referred to as blighted ovum, anembryonic pregnancy, or fetal demise. The timing of a spontaneous abortion suggests its pathophysiology. Anatomic factors usually are associated with second-trimester loss. These pregnancies usually are not clinically recognized.
Age primarily affects the oocyte.
Bleeding may be quantified roughly by the number of pads soaked per hour or day. An average pad absorbs approximately 20-30 mL of blood. The patient's pregnancy symptoms may regress. Pregnancy test results may become negative and fetal heartbeat may not be detected. Rarely, ecchymosis is noted on the skin in cases of associated coagulation disorder.