Okay, first for the people that don't know what "spontaneous" means, it means without a plan. In other words it was not a choice or planned.A spontaneous abortion is the MEDICAL term for a miscarriage. The two words are interchangable.A stillbirth is when the fetus is technically old enough to survive outside of the uterus, but dies in the uterus...usually they have to induce labor and you have to deliver the baby. Or they will simply do a c-section and remove the baby.Most spontaneous abortions/miscarriages happen within the first trimester (rarely between 13-24 weeks, after 24 weeks it is considered a still birth).A spontaneous abortion or miscarriage does not require a death certificate, however most states do issue one for a still birth after 24 weeks of pregnancy.