Updated June 2, 2024
Pregnancy is a world of intense emotions and can get very confusing very fast. If you’re trying to get pregnant, it’s important to understand what a chemical pregnancy is, what causes it, and how to prepare for it. It can be very scary—it is scary—but very common, and most women who experience chemical pregnancies go on to have healthy babies.
What is a Chemical Pregnancy?
Essentially, a chemical pregnancy is a very early miscarriage, typically before the 5th week of gestation. At this point in your pregnancy, you may have gotten a positive pregnancy test result, but an ultrasound can’t detect it yet. Most women don’t know that they’re pregnant when they have a miscarriage this early on, but if you do know, it can be devastating. While chemical pregnancies are fairly common, it doesn’t make them any easier to deal with.
How Common are Chemical Pregnancies?
Chemical pregnancies make up anywhere from 50 to 75% of all miscarriages, but they are not an indication that you can’t get pregnant. In fact, many doctors look at chemical pregnancies as good signs that you can get pregnant and probably will in the future.
It’s important to understand that a false positive pregnancy test does not automatically equal a chemical pregnancy because you could get a false positive for a number of different reasons. Chemical pregnancies are usually because of chromosome abnormalities but can be the result of unsuccessful IVF or in vitro fertilization. Another important thing to note is that working, exercising, sexual intercourse, or having taken birth control does not cause pregnancy loss. You can be at higher risk for early miscarriage if you’re at an advanced maternal age, you have a thyroid condition, or a clotting disorder.
What are the Symptoms of a Chemical Pregnancy?
Detecting a chemical pregnancy in the early stages can be difficult, seeing the symptoms resemble a normal/clinical pregnancy. It’s not uncommon to have:-
- A missed period
- Breast tenderness
- Fatigue/Nausea
- Spotting
In an article published by the Business Insider, Michael Cackovic, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine practitioner at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, reveals, “Most women don’t even get to know they are pregnant, simply believing their period is late.”
However, other more notable and hard-to-ignore symptoms include:
- A negative pregnancy test after receiving a positive one
- Late periods
- A positive pregnancy test shortly followed by your periods
- Heavier than usual periods
- Intense menstrual cramping
- Lack of early pregnancy symptoms, despite positive tests
What Causes Chemical Pregnancies?
Like many pregnancy-related conditions, there’s no clear cause. The important thing to remember is that they’re common and not an indication of your or your partner’s ability to conceive—it’s not your fault, and it’s not your partner’s fault.
Some possible risk factors that could lead to a chemical pregnancy include:
Chromosomes are the genetic blueprint for fetal development. In the event of chromosomal abnormalities, the embryo won’t develop as it should, leading to a chemical pregnancy. Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., clinical professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at Yale University School of Medicine, says, “Unless you go through invitro, it’s impossible to control genetic processing during fertilization. The genetic abnormality can, therefore, occur at the very beginning or even a bit later.”
The ovaries release progesterone to prepare the uterus lining for a fertilized egg. As such, inadequate hormone levels hinder fetus growth, making it difficult to carry a pregnancy to term.
The fertilized egg doesn’t develop into an embryo or placenta, causing you to bleed several days after your period’s due date.
“I suffered from fibroids for as long as I could remember,” continues Mary. “My ob-gyn said the fibroids may have been to blame for the miscarriage as they interfered with the implantation process. So, before trying to get pregnant again, I had surgery to remove them.”
Thyroid problems, uncontrolled diabetes, and other underlying conditions affect the body’s ability to carry a pregnancy to term.
Age is also a factor–the older you are, the higher the risk of a chemical pregnancy. According to a 2019 study in the British Medical Journal, women aged 25-29 have the lowest risk of experiencing chemical pregnancy at 10%. After this age, there’s a linear risk increase peaking at age 45 and above, where the risk of miscarriage is as high as 54%. Furthermore, there’s a fourfold increase in miscarriage risk after three previous and consecutive miscarriages.
A low body weight points to nutrient and calorie deficiencies. Yet, essential minerals like iron and folic acid are necessary for fetal development. Low weight also affects hormone production, interfering with uterine development and implantation. According to a past study by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, the risk of a miscarriage in the first trimester was as high as 72% in underweight women.
How is Chemical Pregnancy Diagnosed?
Your ob-gyn may rely on your medical history and physical pelvic exams to identify a miscarriage. This is in addition to time-tested methods, including a pregnancy and blood test to measure hCG levels.
Latest Diagnostic Techniques in Chemical Pregnancy Diagnosis
The medical field is constantly evolving, with advanced diagnostic techniques like high-sensitivity pregnancy tests to detect low hCG levels. Doctors may also conduct quantitative hCG testing and serial hCG testing to confirm hCG levels. This is in addition to improved imaging techniques, endometrial biopsies, genetic testing, and transvaginal ultrasounds to detect early abnormalities.
Think You’ve Had a Chemical Pregnancy?
Here’s What to Do
Many women experience no symptoms and don’t know that they’ve experienced a chemical pregnancy. For others, it can feel like menstruation and involve some vaginal bleeding. Some common symptoms include getting your period after a positive pregnancy test, light spotting (this can be a result of implantation bleeding, so it doesn’t necessarily mean chemical pregnancy), and menstrual-like cramps.
If you’ve had a positive pregnancy test, see your doctor as soon as possible. They’ll be able to confirm whether you’re pregnant or you’ve gotten a false result. If you think you’ve had a chemical pregnancy, regardless of whether or not you’ve taken a test, you should still see your doctor.
There’s typically no physical treatment necessary for a chemical pregnancy since it’s so early on. The only thing you might need is tissue removal, but your doctor can confirm whether your tissue has passed on its own. Your OB-GYN can also help you get in touch with a mental health professional if you or your partner need someone to talk to.
Recovery and Trying Again
Losing a pregnancy is devastating. Allow yourself time to grieve and seek professional counseling to get over the trauma.
Tips for Getting Pregnant After a Chemical Pregnancy
Start by taking care of your physical health and addressing any underlying issues. For recurring cases, consider genetic counseling to understand the risk factors and how to avoid them in the future.
Moving on
The aftermath of a chemical pregnancy can be hard to deal with. The first step to healing is acknowledging your loss and associated feelings. You can also lean on your partner, family, and friends for support. Don’t hesitate to seek professional help–take strength in knowing you are not alone.
FAQs About Chemical Pregnancy
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating a healthy, nutrient-rich diet
- Limiting caffeine and alcohol intake
- Avoid smoking and environmental pollutants
- Regular exercise and adequate sleep
- Monitoring ovulation
Yes, you can improve reproductive health by eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet. Additionally, include folate-rich foods, adequate protein, iron, and calcium. Don’t forget to hydrate and limit added sugars and processed foods. Your ob-gyn can also recommend prenatal supplements.
While they share similarities, there is a difference.
A chemical or biochemical pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants and the body produces the pregnancy hormone. However, you lose the pregnancy soon afterward, typically before the 5th week of gestation. It’s called a chemical pregnancy because of hCG traces in the urine or blood tests.
On the other hand, a miscarriage or spontaneous abortion is the loss of pregnancy before the fetus becomes viable. It typically happens before 20 weeks of gestation.
Yes, thorough evaluation and diagnosis are crucial to treating the underlying cause of the condition. Fertility medications, progesterone supplementation, genetic testing, lifestyle modifications, and IVF can also help.
Important Things to Remember
Chemical pregnancies are not any indication that you can’t get pregnant. You can even get pregnant as soon as two weeks after you’ve had a chemical pregnancy. Even having multiple early miscarriages, although very difficult emotionally, is no cause for alarm. After three, your doctor may refer you to a fertility specialist to rule out any other medical causes. Most of the time, they won’t find anything wrong, and you’ll go on to have a beautiful, healthy pregnancy.
It’s completely understandable if these logical facts don’t comfort you—it’s devastating to lose a pregnancy at any stage. If you find yourself struggling to deal with your experience, don’t be afraid to reach out. Talk openly about your feelings to your partner, your doctor, or a mental health professional.
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