![]() Around 6 weeks GA, the developing heart is called a primitive heart tube due to its tubular shape, and develops detectable spontaneous cardiac activity. This roughly coincides with the first missed period, and when a home pregnancy test would turn positive. Therefore, from 0-2 weeks GA, the individual is not yet pregnant.Īround 4 weeks GA, the fertilized egg implants in the uterus. Fertilization, when a sperm fuses with an egg, occurs approximately 2 weeks after menses, meaning GA predates fertilization by ~2 weeks. Pregnancies are dated using gestational age (GA), calculated by the time since the individual’s last menstrual period (LMP) or by ultrasound if LMP is unknown. This brief examines how policies aimed at limiting abortion may have negative consequences on people experiencing pregnancy loss.Ī Note on Terminology: a basic understanding of human development is important in understanding pregnancy loss, its policy implications and its portrayal in the media. ![]() ![]() At a time when abortion restrictions around the country are increasing, laws may limit providers’ ability to manage pregnancy loss and that women experiencing pregnancy loss may be investigated to prove their miscarriages were unintentional. It also focuses on how abortion policies may impact miscarriage care. This brief clarifies how pregnancy loss is distinct from abortion, while highlighting the similarities in their management. ![]() However, pregnancy loss is often poorly understood and conflated with induced abortions for example, terms like “induced miscarriage” have been used to imply intent to end pregnancy, while “spontaneous abortion” is a medical term for a miscarriage. Miscarriages are extremely common, occurring in up to an estimated 30% of all pregnancies. Several states have laws criminalizing self-managed abortion these laws have the potential to make people experiencing pregnancy loss vulnerable to investigation, and jeopardize patient-provider confidentiality.Furthermore, state bans on certain surgical methods for abortion may also limit the treatment options offered for pregnancy loss. FDA protocol (REMS) prohibits pharmacies from dispensing mifepristone (a drug also used for abortions) and requires providers to receive certification to prescribe the medication even though the safety profile of mifepristone is well documented. Some patients may have limited treatment options available in cases of pregnancy loss due to restrictions on abortion.A medical and legal environment in which pregnant people may be criminalized for pregnancy loss can leave some reluctant to seek needed care and vulnerable to legal harm.Under fetal harm legislation, women have been charged with crimes related to pregnancy loss in cases when they have experienced physical trauma, declined medical advice, or used drugs in pregnancy. ![]() in which some pregnant people have been criminalized for pregnancy loss, and there are ways in which abortion restrictions may have unintended consequences on pregnancy loss management. This has resulted in a long history in the U.S. Miscarriages are often conflated with induced abortions in the news and law.Estimates are as high as 31% to 50% when including individuals who miscarry before knowing they are pregnant. Approximately 10-20% of pregnancies that have been confirmed by testing result in a miscarriage by 13 weeks gestational age. ![]()
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