What is the Difference Between Blood Clots and Miscarriage?

The main difference between blood clots and miscarriage lies in their causes and characteristics. Here are some key differences:

1. Cause: Blood clots are thick and sticky clumps of dried blood that can appear during a woman's menstrual period. Miscarriage, on the other hand, is a disturbed pregnancy that ends before the fetus is able to survive outside the womb.
2. Occurrence: Blood clots are common during menstruation, while miscarriage occurs in 10-20% of women who know they are pregnant.
3. Symptoms: During a miscarriage, bleeding gets heavier and lasts longer than a period. Cramping may become more painful than typical period cramping. Bleeding during miscarriage can appear brown and resemble coffee grounds or be pink to bright red. When a miscarriage occurs before eight weeks of pregnancy, it might look the same as a heavy period. Later, you're more likely to notice fetal or placental tissue.
4. Heaviness of flow: During a menstrual period, it is normal to pass some blood clots, but if you're passing clots larger than a quarter, it is considered heavy bleeding and should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. Women experiencing a miscarriage may pass larger clots, up to the size of a lemon.
5. Tissue: During a miscarriage, grayish tissue parts are discharged, together with blood clots. These tissues can make it difficult to distinguish between a miscarriage and blood clots.

It is essential to consult a healthcare provider to differentiate between blood clots and miscarriage, as both can cause spotting or vaginal bleeding.

Comparative Table: Blood Clots vs Miscarriage

Here is a table comparing blood clots and miscarriages:

Please note that the table is based on the information available in the search results, which may not cover all possible aspects of the topic.