What's the difference between a stillbirth and a miscarriage?

In medical terms, a miscarriage is a loss that occurs before 20 weeks, and a stillbirth is a loss that occurs after 20 weeks. In either case, you lose a baby. However, there is a different level of distress and discomfort losing a baby late in the pregnancy, compared to very early on. A woman very far along literally has to give birth, thus the term stillbirth. They go through labor and deliver a baby who is not living. With a loss very early on, the embryo passes often without the mom even being aware.

Stillbirth is having the baby full term, but it comes out the womb dead.

Miscarriage is the baby dying while inside the womb.

A miscarriage is a pregnancy loss before 20 weeks.

A stillbirth is a loss after 20 weeks -- with most occurring near or at term.