An ultrasound can confirm the diagnosis. Treatment of an ectopic pregnancy may include surgical removal of the fetus, resulting in an early termination of the pregnancy. A miscarriage is the loss of the fetus before 20 weeks of pregnancy. A stillbirth is the loss of a fetus after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Most miscarriages occur in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and are usually due to fetal abnormalities.
Some miscarriages occur when the cervix is weak and opens too early.
In some cases, a health care provider can repair this type of abnormality by suturing the cervix closed until delivery. Miscarriages are usually preceded by spotting and intense cramping. To confirm that a miscarriage or stillbirth has occurred, an ultrasound may be performed. Treatment for a miscarriage or stillbirth is usually not necessary, as the fetus and contents of the uterus are often naturally expelled. If this process does not naturally occur, a physician will remove the contents of the uterus and the placenta to ensure that an infection does not result.