A miscarriage is a pregnancy that ends unexpectedly before 20 weeks gestation. Experiencing a miscarriage is fairly common, occurring in 10 to 25 percent of pregnancies. Miscarriage is also referred to as early pregnancy loss or, in medical terms, a spontaneous abortion.
What Is Miscarriage? (Plain Language Explanation)
Miscarriage refers to a pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that many people experience. While it can be challenging, it's also well-understood and treatable.
Key Terms to Know About Miscarriage
- Symptoms: The specific ways miscarriage shows up for you
- Triggers: Situations or thoughts that activate or worsen miscarriage
- Evidence-based: Treatments backed by scientific research
- Comorbidity: When miscarriage occurs alongside other conditions
3 Things Most People Don't Know About Miscarriage
- Miscarriage is far more common than most people realize
- Miscarriage is not caused by weakness — it has identifiable biological and psychological causes
- Most people with miscarriage see significant improvement with the right support
Your Next Steps
Learning about miscarriage is just the beginning. If you think you're experiencing miscarriage, speaking with a mental health professional is the most valuable next step.