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If you were aware that you were pregnant, the loss of a chemical pregnancy may be painful, particularly if you had been trying hard to have a baby. However, having one chemical pregnancy does not rule out the possibility of carrying a baby to term. Many individuals who have had early miscarriages go on to have healthy pregnancies.
Is A Chemical Pregnancy An Actual Pregnancy?
A chemical pregnancy terminates prematurely because the embryo stops developing. It differs from a clinical pregnancy, which has proof of an embryo. However, this does not imply that a chemical pregnancy isn't genuine. Finding out you're pregnant might make the event seem more genuine. The perceived reality of the event varies from person to person. How Common Are Chemical Pregnancies?
They are quite common. Approximately 25% of pregnancies terminate during the first 20 weeks. And around 80% of such miscarriages occur early. However, it is difficult to determine the prevalence of chemical pregnancies. Many individuals miscarry before they get a diagnosis or realise they are pregnant.Chemical Vs. Clinical Pregnancy
Calling a pregnancy "chemical" may seem a touch frigid. However, the term does not refer to your pregnancy experience. Instead, chemical pregnancies are named for the hormones that cause a positive pregnancy test. Within the first five weeks, the embryo will make human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Because it is too early to observe evidence of the foetus on an ultrasound, your HCG hormone levels are the only reliable indicator that you are pregnant. However, as the embryo stops growing, your HCG levels drop.With a clinical pregnancy, your HCG levels slowly increase. Clinical pregnancy is used by your healthcare practitioner to confirm a (positive urine or blood test) or the presence of foetal signals on an ultrasound.
Symptoms & Causes
What Are The Symptoms Of A Chemical Pregnancy?
It might be useful to understand the common symptoms of a chemical pregnancy.- Your menstruation arrives around a week later than normal
- You have a positive pregnancy test, but then you start your period
- You have a positive pregnancy test, followed by a negative pregnancy test a few weeks later
- Your period is heavier than normal, and you have more severe menstrual cramps
- You have a positive pregnancy test, but you are not experiencing the typical symptoms of early pregnancy
What Does Chemical Pregnancy Bleeding Look Like?
Chemical pregnancy bleeding may appear and feel different for each individual. Your period may feel regular, or you may discover that it is heavier than usual, causing more severe cramping. Sometimes the bleeding starts as spotting and then becomes really heavy, with blood clots.How Long Does It Take To Miscarry With A Chemical Pregnancy?
The tissue from a chemical pregnancy may disappear after many days or weeks. It differs from person to person.Some individuals experience a chemical pregnancy exactly around the time they are scheduled to get their period. As a result, many individuals are unaware they are pregnant and confuse a chemical pregnancy with a monthly cycle.
In other situations, however, your body may take longer to recognise that you are not pregnant. It might take a week or more to pass the pregnancy tissue.
What Causes Chemical Pregnancies?
A chemical pregnancy is a miscarriage occurring during the first week following implantation. Implantation occurs when a fertilised egg implants in the uterine wall and develops into an embryo. This causes your body to produce HCG, a hormone that promotes embryonic growth. It is also the hormone that pregnancy tests use to determine whether you are pregnant. However, the embryo often stops growing after a few days. However, since HCG is present in your system, it might result in a positive pregnancy test. HCG levels might take many days or weeks to decrease.No one understands why an embryo stops growing during a chemical pregnancy. The embryo most likely stops growing due to a genetic or DNA issue. An embryo does not always take hold, or implant, in the uterine lining in the proper manner for growth. However, once your HCG levels fall below a particular threshold, a pregnancy test will turn negative.
How Fast Do HCG Levels Drop Following A Chemical Pregnancy?
HCG levels often decline fast during a chemical pregnancy. Every two days, decline by around 50%. However, it also depends on how high your levels were initially. Even after HCG levels start to decline, you may still receive a positive at-home pregnancy test. This is because your levels might still be high enough to result in a positive pregnancy test. HCG levels will eventually return to normal, resulting in a negative pregnancy test.Who Do Chemical Pregnancies Affect?
Anyone who can conceive may have a chemical pregnancy. Because in vitro fertilisation (IVF) pregnancies are regularly monitored, you may identify a chemical pregnancy more easily. However, IVF alone does not increase the chance of chemical pregnancy.Your Chances Of Having An Early Miscarriage Rise If
- You are 35 or older
- Your uterus is malformed
- Your hormone levels are abnormally high or low
- You've got a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
- You have thyroid disease, diabetes, or polycystic ovary syndrome
How Is A Chemical Pregnancy Diagnosed?
Your healthcare professional will review your medical history to determine when you last had your period. Then they may do the following:- A pregnancy blood test to reveal that you are pregnant
- Blood tests to assess your HCG levels. Your clinician may prescribe another blood test to determine your HCG levels. The level might indicate if you are pregnant. A second HCG test may determine if HCG levels are rising or falling. The second blood test for a chemical pregnancy will show much lower HCG levels
- An ultrasound will reveal that there is no foetus growing
Can You Sustain A Chemical Pregnancy?
No. Usually, the embryo stops developing shortly after it implants in your uterus. There is nothing you or your prenatal care provider can do to save the embryo when this occurs.How Are Chemical Pregnancies Treated?
There is no cure for chemical pregnancies. However, many individuals whose first pregnancy ends prematurely go on to have healthy pregnancies in the future. If you experience frequent chemical pregnancies, your prenatal care provider may recommend a genetic medicine specialist.Knowing that you have a strong probability of having a healthy pregnancy in the future does not mean you don't need assistance processing the end of your pregnancy. Everyone's experience with pregnancy loss differs. You may feel relieved if you were not prepared for the pregnancy. You may be unhappy that you had the pleasure of discovering you were pregnant just to have that sensation snatched away. You may not feel anything at all, and that's okay.
If you need to process your loss or talk with someone who can help you through the next stages, contact your healthcare practitioner or a counsellor. They can link you with the resources you need to prioritise your own well-being.
How Can You Avoid A Chemical Pregnancy?
You cannot avoid a chemical pregnancy. Most chemical pregnancies occur when an error in the embryo's DNA stops it from growing. The next embryo and those that follow are likely to develop normally.What Can I Anticipate If I Have A Chemical Pregnancy?
Having one or more chemical pregnancies does not rule out the possibility of having a healthy pregnancy in the future. Whatever you decide to do next is entirely up to you. Take the time to process any feelings you are experiencing. Talk to your partner and/or healthcare practitioner about what to do next.How Should I Feel After A Chemical Pregnancy?
There is no right way to react to a chemical pregnancy. Experiencing a chemical pregnancy might be distressing if you've been trying to have a child unsuccessfully. But just because your pregnancy terminated early doesn't imply you can't become pregnant again.What Are Some Tips For Getting Pregnant After A Chemical Pregnancy?
Many individuals decide to attempt another pregnancy right after an early pregnancy loss. You may ovulate two weeks after a chemical pregnancy and perhaps get pregnant. The advice for having a healthy pregnancy is the same regardless of your scenario. Here are some tips:- Prenatal care should begin early and be provided on a regular basis. Contact a prenatal care professional as soon as you discover you are pregnant. This is critical in avoiding possibly hazardous pregnancy problems.
- Maintain your pregnancy weight in a healthy range. Consume healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein. Take a prenatal vitamin if you're trying to conceive.
- Aim for at least 30 minutes of activity on most days of the week.
- Avoid alcoholic drinks and tobacco items
- Drink plenty of water
What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor Following A Chemical Pregnancy?
Contact your healthcare practitioner if you need assistance processing your pregnancy loss or if you want guidance on how to improve your chances of becoming pregnant again. You might ask the following questions:- How long should I wait before trying to get pregnant again?
- What steps can I take to increase my chances of having a safe pregnancy?
- Are there any tests you suggest to see whether there is an underlying problem that has impacted my pregnancy?
FAQs on What Is a Chemical Pregnancy? Everything You Need to Know
- When will I know if it isn't a chemical pregnancy?
A chemical pregnancy causes no evident symptoms. An ultrasound can normally reveal evidence of a clinical pregnancy from five to six weeks, and a foetal heartbeat can be confirmed at six to seven weeks. - How can you prevent a chemical pregnancy?
You may reduce your risks by controlling any chronic diseases you may have, such as thyroid issues, diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), or high blood pressure. Avoid smoking, taking illicit substances, and engaging in other dangerous behaviours.
