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Simple English definitions for legal terms
miscarriage
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A quick definition of miscarriage:
Miscarriage is when a baby is born too early and cannot survive. It happens by accident and is also called spontaneous abortion. Sometimes, a woman may choose to end her pregnancy, which is called induced abortion. The law allows women to make this choice before the baby can live outside of the mother's body. After that, the state can limit the right to an abortion. There are also different types of abortion, such as late-term abortion, partial-birth abortion, and therapeutic abortion.
A more thorough explanation:
Miscarriage is the spontaneous and involuntary premature expulsion of a nonviable fetus. It is also known as spontaneous abortion.
- When a woman loses her pregnancy before the 20th week, it is called a miscarriage.
- If a woman has a miscarriage due to a medical condition that threatens her life, it is called a therapeutic abortion.
The examples illustrate that miscarriage is the natural loss of a pregnancy before the fetus is viable, or able to survive outside the womb. In some cases, a medical procedure may be necessary to protect the mother's health.