What is a late miscarriage?
A late miscarriage is the loss of a fetus between the 12th and the 20th week of pregnancy. Before the 12th week, the loss is a miscarriage, but not a late one. After the 20th week, the fetus has a reasonable chance of surviving. Therefore, the loss is considered a stillborn birth, rather than a late miscarriage. Miscarriages in the first trimester — before the 12th week of pregnancy — are common. It is believed that one in four pregnancies end in miscarriage. Some in the medical profession estimate that the rate of miscarriage may actually be closer to 50% because women who are unaware that they are pregnant believe they are having a very heavy, slightly late period when, in fact, they are having a miscarriage.
