Spontaneous abortion.

As a result of improved investigation and treatment techniques, understanding of all aspects of spontaneous abortion has improved. The term "threatened abortion" is often a misnomer, for the fate of the pregnancy is decided when bleeding occurs. A dilated cervix indicates that abortion is inevitable. If the cervix is not dilated, pelvic ultrasonography will usually show the following: a live fetus, an anembryonic pregnancy, incomplete abortion or missed abortion. If fetal heart movement is seen, no further treatment is needed and the prognosis is excellent (98% fetal survival). In other cases, the uterus must be evacuated, with a Karman catheter if the uterus is small, with a suction curette if the uterus is large. Forceful dilation of the cervix is avoided through the use of Laminaria.