Early pregnancy loss and miscarriage are often used interchangeably, but early pregnancy loss refers to a specific timeframe within a miscarriage. According to the provided reference, pregnancy loss, also known as miscarriage or spontaneous abortion, is defined as a nonviable intrauterine pregnancy up to 20 weeks gestation. Early pregnancy loss is the most common type and occurs specifically in the first trimester.
| Term | Definition | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Miscarriage | Nonviable intrauterine pregnancy up to 20 weeks gestation. | Up to 20 weeks |
| Early Pregnancy Loss | A miscarriage that occurs during the first trimester. | First Trimester |
In essence:
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Miscarriage: This is the broader term encompassing any pregnancy loss before 20 weeks.
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Early Pregnancy Loss: This is a specific type of miscarriage that happens during the first trimester (up to 13 weeks). It's essentially a miscarriage that happens early in the pregnancy.
