It is important to use proper terminology when describing miscarriages:
| Clinical Exam | Ultrasound Findings | |
| Threatened Miscarriage | Abnormal vaginal bleeding during a viable pregnancy | Normal IUP |
| Inevitable Miscarriage | Vaginal bleeding with a dilated cervix while still retaining all products of conception | Normal IUP or products of conception near cervix |
| Incomplete Miscarriage | Some products of conception have been retained | Retained products of conception |
| Complete Miscarriage | All products of conception have been expelled and bleeding has stopped | Empty, non-gravid uterus |
| Missed Miscarriage | The fetus is non-viable but no products of conception have been passed | IUP with no cardiac activity or fetal movement |