When you’re trying to conceive, you track every symptom, hoping for a positive result on the pregnancy test. After taking that test and seeing a faint positive line, your hopes can soar. But sometimes, after a few days, you may notice bleeding, which can feel confusing and heartbreaking at the same time. This could be a chemical pregnancy, a very early form of miscarriage that occurs before even realizing you are pregnant.
In this guide, we will learn how common a chemical pregnancy is, how to detect it, and how to overcome its physical and emotional hurdles. Learning the science behind this may give you some clarity and comfort.
What Exactly is a Chemical Pregnancy?
A chemical pregnancy is an early miscarriage that happens shortly after implantation, commonly within the first five weeks of pregnancy. It happens when a fertilized egg successfully implants into the uterine lining but fails to develop into a viable pregnancy. The term “chemical” indicates that the pregnancy can only be detected in tests detecting HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). It is a hormone produced after implantation and can only be measured in blood or urine tests. Ultrasounds won’t detect anything because the loss happens before the gestational sac forms.
How is a Chemical Pregnancy Different From Other Miscarriages?
A chemical pregnancy is similar to a miscarriage, but there are key differences in timing and physical symptoms. A chemical pregnancy happens very early, sometimes before the fifth week of pregnancy. Many women may not even realize they are pregnant unless they’ve taken an early pregnancy test. The pregnancy can be detected through a positive pregnancy test due to elevated HCG levels. However, no visible signs of pregnancy (like a gestational sac or fetal heartbeat) can be found on an ultrasound, unlike miscarriages, which happen later in the pregnancy. Miscarriages happen with stronger physical symptoms like intense cramping and heavy bleeding. Whereas, a chemical pregnancy might feel more like a late, heavy period with cramping and discomfort.
Symptoms of a Chemical Pregnancy
You might wonder how you can understand if you’re experiencing a chemical pregnancy. Here are some of the common symptoms:
The first sign of a chemical pregnancy is getting a faint positive pregnancy test. But only for the first subsequent tests, but later negative results show in a few days.
You may notice bleeding just a few days after your expected period. This may seem like a regular period but can be slightly heavier or more painful.
With the bleeding, you may feel mild to moderate cramping, similar to menstrual cramps.
If you’re tracking your pregnancy with blood tests, you’ll see hCG levels initially rise but fall as the pregnancy ends.
Many women who experience chemical pregnancies may not notice anything unusual at all. You may mistake the bleeding for a slightly late or heavy period if you didn’t do an early pregnancy test.
What Causes a Chemical Pregnancy?
If you understand the causes of a chemical pregnancy, it can help you make sense of this early pregnancy loss. While no one cause is the same for every woman, there are several reasons why a chemical pregnancy might happen.
The most common cause of a chemical pregnancy is a genetic abnormality in the fertilized egg. During conception, if the chromosomes are too many or too few, the embryo does not develop properly, causing early miscarriages.
If your body doesn’t produce enough progesterone, a hormone that’s vital to maintaining a pregnancy, it can cause early miscarriage. Progesterone helps thicken the uterine lining and supports the embryo as it grows.
Sometimes the fertilized egg doesn’t implant properly in the uterine wall, which can result in a chemical pregnancy.
Physical issues in the uterus, like fibroids, scar tissue, other abnormalities, can prevent fertilized eggs from properly implanting and growing.
Certain infections, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and even severe cases of flu, may interfere with the embryo’s ability to develop normally.
In rare cases, an autoimmune disorder may cause the body to mistakenly attack the early pregnancy, resulting in a miscarriage.
Is a Chemical Pregnancy Common?
You may be surprised to learn that chemical pregnancies are quite common. In fact, many experts estimate that 50 to 75 percent of all miscarriages are actually chemical pregnancies. Most women don’t realize they’ve had one because it often occurs around the time their regular period is expected. With the increasing availability of early-detection pregnancy tests, it’s easier to identify chemical pregnancies. As you can take these tests before your missed period and detect pregnancies very early on.
What Happens After a Chemical Pregnancy?
If you suspect you’ve had a chemical pregnancy, double-check it by measuring your HCG levels from a blood test. In a healthy pregnancy, HCG levels rise steadily. However, with a chemical pregnancy, your levels will start to drop soon after the initial increase. If doctors perform an ultrasound, nothing will be visible in the case of a chemical pregnancy. Experiencing a chemical pregnancy can be emotionally challenging, especially if you’ve been trying to conceive. However, the good news is that having a chemical pregnancy doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant again. In fact, many women go on to have healthy pregnancies after a chemical pregnancy.
Physically, your body should recover quickly after a chemical pregnancy, as the miscarriage occurs so early on. You’ll experience a heavier-than-normal period, and your cycle should return to normal within a month or two. Emotionally, it can be a different story. It’s completely normal to feel sad, frustrated, or even anxious after a chemical pregnancy. You may have gotten your hopes up with a positive pregnancy test, only to experience a loss soon after. Allow yourself to grieve and consider reaching out for support, whether that’s talking to a loved one or seeking counseling.
When to Seek Medical Help
If you experience recurrent chemical pregnancies, it’s important to see a gynecologist for further inspection. Some issues that could cause recurrent chemical pregnancies include hormonal imbalances, autoimmune disorders, or uterine abnormalities. A doctor may recommend tests such as genetic screening or a hysteroscopy to get to the root cause. If you experience severe pain or heavy bleeding that lasts more than a few days, you must visit a gynecologist.
Navigating the emotional impact of a chemical pregnancy can be challenging. Allow yourself to process your feelings and seek support from your partner, family, or a support group. Talking with others who have gone through similar experiences can be incredibly helpful in making you feel less alone. It’s important to remember that this early miscarriage doesn’t define your fertility or your future. This experience is a step on your journey to parenthood and a moment of pause. Know that understanding and patience are key as you move forward with renewed hope.
