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Incomplete abortion occurs when some pregnancy tissues remain in the uterus following a miscarriage or abortion. This condition can lead to various symptoms, including heavy bleeding and abdominal pain. If you are dealing with this condition, it's crucial to not delay treatment. Connect with Pristyn Care and consult our experienced doctors who can guide you through various treatment options. Book your appointment today.
Incomplete abortion occurs when some pregnancy tissues remain in the uterus following a ... Read More
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During a normal pregnancy or abortion, all pregnancy-related tissue should be expelled by the uterus. However, this process is not completed in the case of an incomplete abortion, leaving behind residual tissue. Common symptoms of an incomplete abortion include abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding.
Incomplete abortion refers to a situation when a pregnancy has been terminated, but not all of the pregnancy tissue, fetal tissue, placenta, etc., is completely expelled from the uterus.Â
An incomplete abortion doesn’t indicate the presence of pregnancy. Instead, it indicates that a portion of the pregnancy tissue is still inside your uterus. You need to get medical help right away because this is a serious issue. Untreated incomplete abortions can lead to serious consequences, such as severe bleeding, infection, and necessitate the need for surgery to remove the leftover tissue after abortion.
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For a proper diagnosis and treatment, it is important to identify the signs and symptoms of an incomplete abortion.Â
One of the common signs of an incomplete abortion is severe or persistent vaginal bleeding. Tissue passage and clotting may also occur alongside the bleeding.
Women may experience modest to severe abdominal pain or discomfort. Severe stomach pain following an abortion should not be disregarded, even though it may indicate an incomplete abortion.
The body’s reaction to the retained tissue may cause a low-grade fever.
An incomplete abortion may be indicated by an unusual or foul-smelling discharge.
Some people may experience pain or tenderness in the uterine area or lower abdomen.
An incomplete abortion can be caused by several factors. These could consist of:
In the case of an induced abortion, an incomplete abortion may cause placental or fetal tissue to be retained.
A molar pregnancy may cause an incomplete abortion. Molar pregnancy is a rare condition in which aberrant tissue develops in place of an embryo.
If a fertilised egg attaches itself outside the uterus, such as in the fallopian tube, it may cause an incomplete abortion.
The complete expulsion of pregnancy tissue may be affected by certain structural abnormalities in the uterus.
The successful removal or expulsion of all products of conception from the uterus is referred to as a complete abortion. This indicates that the body has finished the process either naturally or with medical help, and no tissues are left behind.Â
A natural miscarriage may result in a full abortion without the need for medical intervention. Similarly, a successful surgical operation or medically induced abortion can result in a full abortion.
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Usually, no additional medical intervention is required after a complete abortion. To make sure there are no issues and that recovery is going as planned, follow-up care is always advised.
The following are the differences between a complete abortion and an incomplete abortion.
| Features | Complete abortion | Incomplete abortion |
| Definition | All the pregnancy tissues are completely expelled from the uterus | Some of the pregnancy tissues remain in the uterus |
| Cramps | Reduction in the cramps after the complete removal | Continued abdominal cramps as the pregnancy tissues are not expelled completely |
| Symptoms | Minimal bleeding | Heavy bleeding and severe pain |
| Treatment | Usually not needed | Medical or surgical treatment is required |
| Risk | Low | High(infection, hemorrhage) |
An incomplete abortion carries several risks and complications mentioned below.
If left untreated, incomplete abortions can cause severe, prolonged bleeding that can lead to anaemia and other health issues.
Bacteria can thrive in retained tissues, which might act as a breeding ground and cause infections that could affect other reproductive systems.
Incomplete abortions can cause cervical dilation, which increases the risk of complications during subsequent pregnancies.
Severe and persistent cramps can accompany an incomplete abortion, which can be detrimental to a woman’s overall health.
Retained tissue can cause long-term health issues and have an impact on future fertility.
Uterine scarring from an incomplete abortion can reduce fertility and increase the likelihood of difficulties with subsequent pregnancies.
An incomplete abortion can have a severe emotional impact, highlighting the need for compassion and supporting medical care.
To provide the proper care and management, diagnosing an incomplete abortion is an essential initial step. To properly diagnose this illness, the doctors use several methods, such as:
A medical professional will do a comprehensive clinical evaluation. They will discuss your medical history, including the specifics of the current pregnancy, when the symptoms started to appear, and any incomplete abortion complications & risk factors.
To examine the uterus and cervix, a pelvic examination is usually done. Cervical dilation and the existence of retained tissue may also be examined by the medical professional.
The transvaginal ultrasound is a useful method to identify an incomplete abortion. Using this imaging method, the healthcare professionals can see the uterus and determine the amount of retained tissue. It helps in determining whether it is an incomplete abortion and guides the further management of the incomplete abortion.
A complete blood count (CBC) is a type of blood test that can be used to check a person’s general health as well as variables like haemoglobin levels, which provide information about the extent of bleeding.
The presence of pregnancy and whether it is developing normally can be ascertained using blood tests that measure hCG levels. A slowing down or plateauing of hCG levels may indicate an incomplete abortion.
Depending on the patient’s condition, amount of retained tissue, and certain other factors, your doctor determines an incomplete abortion​ treatment and management strategy. Usually, medicinal or surgical procedures are used to treat an incomplete abortion.
In some cases, your doctor may decide to keep an eye on the patient’s health without any immediate intervention. This method is used when there is minimal residual tissue and no indications of infection or severe bleeding.
To help the uterus expel the leftover tissue, medications are prescribed. This is usually taken into consideration when there are no indications of infection and the patient’s condition is stable.
A surgical procedure, including dilation and curettage (D&C), may be carried out if the retained tissue is substantial or if there are indications of infection. The leftover uterine tissue is removed during D&C.
After the treatment of an incomplete abortion, patients undergo follow-up care to make sure their condition is improving as planned. Follow-up care may also include doing additional incomplete abortion ultrasound tests and monitoring.
| Features | Miscarriage | Abortion |
| Definition | Spontaneous loss of pregnancy | Conscious decision to terminate a pregnancy |
| Intent | No intent to end the pregnancy | May be intentional(induced abortion) or unintentional (spontaneous) |
| Causes | Natural causes such as an accident, chromosomal abnormalities, etc. | Can be natural(spotaneous) or intentional(medical/surgical)Â |
| Pain | Cramps that may increase with expulsion | Depending on the type of method, the intensity of pain varies |
| Legal aspect | Not guided legally, as it happens naturally | Subject to legal guidelines |
| Follow-ups | Depends on the presence of retained tissue | A follow-up is required after the induced abortion to ensure complete removal |
Decreased bleeding, reduction of cramps, and sometimes the falling hCG levels are all common symptoms of a complete abortion. For a more reliable confirmation, you can undergo an ultrasound.Â
A missed abortion refers to a type of early pregnancy loss where the embryo or fetus has stopped developing but remains in the uterus.Â
Common signs of incomplete abortion after misoprostol include persistent heavy bleeding, abdominal cramps, passing large blood clots and tissue, fever and chills, and persistent back pain.
Reduced vaginal bleeding, decreased abdominal pain and cramping, a closed cervix, and a follow-up ultrasound indicating an empty uterus are the common signs of complete abortion in early pregnancy.
There are no safe remedies that can stop bleeding after an abortion. However, using a hot water bottle or a heating pad, taking proper rest, staying hydrated, and eating iron-rich healthy foods help to address normal bleeding and cramping.
The common signs of hormonal imbalance after abortion, include irregular periods, acne, breast tenderness, appetite changes, and mood swings. These symptoms often go away as hormonal levels normalise, but persistent symptoms necessitate a medical evaluation.Â
An incomplete abortion on an ultrasound may show a thickened endometrial lining, retained pregnancy tissues, and fluid in the uterus. Discuss with your doctor for a better understanding of these symptoms.Â
Yes, missed abortion can cause hormonal imbalance, leading to irregular periods, changes in appetite and weight, difficulties in sleeping, bloating, and other digestive discomforts.
