What defines a complete abortion?

A complete abortion is defined by the expulsion of all products of conception from the uterus, indicating that the pregnancy has fully terminated. This is typically evidenced by a closed cervix at the time of examination, which confirms that the uterus has emptied its contents completely without any remaining tissue.

This definition is crucial because it distinguishes a complete abortion from incomplete abortion, where some products of conception remain in the uterus. In cases of complete abortion, patients usually experience a cessation of symptoms such as pain and bleeding once the process is finished, and they may return to a normal menstruation cycle more swiftly.

The emphasis on the closed cervix in this definition serves to highlight that there is no active process of expulsion occurring at the time of assessment, aligning with the concept of a complete abortion. Thus, understanding the clinical signs and symptoms, as well as the status of the cervix, is vital in diagnosing a complete abortion accurately.