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Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Incomplete Abortion - Incomplete Miscarriage

Diagnosis & Tests

How is the condition diagnosed?

A blood or urine pregnancy test will be done to confirm a pregnancy. The level of the pregnancy hormone HCG may be checked several times over a period of days or weeks. Rising levels suggest that the fetus is growing. Levels that fall or stay steady suggest little or no growth of a malformed or dying fetus.

Other tests can include the following:

complete blood count, called CBC, if the woman is bleeding heavily

white blood cell count to rule out infection

a progesterone level to find out if enough of the hormone is being made to maintain the pregnancy

pregnancy ultrasound to check for any fetal movement and heartbeat. The ultrasound can also rule out an ectopic pregnancy. This problem occurs when the egg implants outside of the uterus.

pelvic exam to see if the cervix is open and whether there is any fetal tissue in the vagina or the cervix

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