What is the Difference Between Miscarriage and Stillbirth?

The main difference between a miscarriage and a stillbirth is the stage of pregnancy at which the loss occurs. In the United States, a miscarriage is usually defined as the loss of a baby before the 20th week of pregnancy, while a stillbirth is the loss of a baby at or after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Both miscarriage and stillbirth describe pregnancy loss, but they differ in terms of when the loss takes place.

Stillbirth is further classified as either early, late, or term:

• An early stillbirth occurs between 20 and 27 completed weeks of pregnancy.
• A late stillbirth occurs between 28 and 36 completed pregnancy weeks.
• A term stillbirth occurs between 37 or more completed pregnancy weeks.

Stillbirth affects about 1 in 175 births, and each year about 21,000 babies are stillborn in the United States. Some stillbirths are linked to complications with the placenta, a birth defect, or the mother's health, while others have no identified cause.

Comparative Table: Miscarriage vs Stillbirth

The main difference between a miscarriage and a stillbirth is the time at which the pregnancy loss occurs. Here is a table comparing the two:

In the United States, a miscarriage is usually defined as the loss of a baby before the 20th week of pregnancy, while a stillbirth is the loss of a baby at or after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Stillbirths are further classified as either early, late, or term:

• An early stillbirth occurs between 20 and 27 completed weeks of pregnancy.
• A late stillbirth occurs between 28 and 36 completed pregnancy weeks.
• A term stillbirth occurs between 37 or more completed pregnancy weeks.

Both miscarriages and stillbirths can be caused by various factors, such as chromosomal abnormalities or pregnancy and labor complications. However, the treatment and diagnosis of these two types of pregnancy loss can differ depending on the specific circumstances.