Question: I have been pregnant for 14 weeks, but as the ultrasound showed, my fetus stopped growing at 4 weeks. Is it normal for a body to hold on and not miscarriage for 10 weeks, or is this unusual and why is my body holding on? Renee

Answer: Dear Renee,

Some women that have lost a pregnancy do not miscarriage immediately. If a doctor determines there is not threat to a woman's health, she may choose to let the miscarriage happen on its own time. A woman can also decide to have a procedure (suction curettage) and have the tissue removed by a doctor.

Certain medications can speed up the miscarriage process but are usually accompanied by nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.