Chemical Pregnancy: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment
When you see that positive pregnancy test, it could be quite an exciting time. You start planning and begin to imagine the future changes. However, at times, a repeat pregnancy test is negative, or you get your period right after the positive test. This experience may be correlated with a chemical pregnancy. So, what is a chemical pregnancy?
It's a kind of very early miscarriage that usually occurs before the 5th week of pregnancy. In many instances, the individual is not even aware that he or she is pregnant.
What Is a Chemical Pregnancy? And how does it happen?
A chemical pregnancy, also called a biochemical pregnancy is one that happens before the pregnancy can be detected by an ultrasound.
Once fertilized, the egg moves towards the uterus and becomes embedded in the lining of the uterus. This is referred to as implantation. When pregnancy occurs, the body starts to generate a hormone known as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).
This hormone is crucial as it is involved in maintaining early pregnancy. Home pregnancy tests are able to detect hCG in the urine and will be positive if the level of hCG is high enough.
Sometimes, however, after implantation, the embryo does not continue developing. The body eventually ceases to produce more hCG. The hCG levels start to decline. Because of this, a pregnancy test that was earlier positive and now becomes negative.
That's why doctors refer to it as chemical pregnancy. Hormone tests are used to diagnose the pregnancy and not an ultrasound examination.
Is it a real pregnancy?
Yes. A chemical pregnancy is an actual early pregnancy miscarriage. This has nothing to do with the significance or meaning of the pregnancy, rather, it refers to how the pregnancy was detected.
What are the symptoms of chemical pregnancy?
The signs can be different for each person. Common chemical pregnancy symptoms are:
A positive test and then a negative test: You might test positive, but a follow-up test taken several days later will be negative.
Unusual period: Your period may come a few days late.
Vaginal bleeding: Bleeding can be heavier than normal, or same as your normal period.
Abdominal cramps: This can be abdominal discomfort that is like the cramps that happen during this period.
Small blood clots during bleeding: In some individuals, there may be small blood clots during bleeding.
Symptoms of pregnancy may change: Both breast tenderness and nausea might decrease as hCG declines.
For some, symptoms are not even evident. They might think the bleeding is just their period and not understand that they had been pregnant. These signs are not sufficient to diagnose a chemical pregnancy.
To help determine the cause, a doctor may order blood tests or other tests.
What Causes a Chemical Pregnancy?
There can be multiple causes. One of the most common is abnormalities of the chromosomes in the developing embryo.
Genetic information is stored on chromosomes which are used to help the body to grow and develop. In some cases there is a wrong number of chromosomes in the fertilised egg. This can stop the embryo growing properly, and cause the pregnancy to miscarry early.
Other factors that could be linked to early pregnancy loss include:
Certain hormonal problems.
Uncontrolled diabetes.
Some thyroid disorders.
Abnormalities in the uterus.
Increasing maternal age.
However, having one or more of these conditions does not mean that a chemical pregnancy will definitely occur.
Chemical pregnancy is not caused by everyday activities like walking, exercise, work, or normal stress levels or by consumption of normal foods. In most cases nothing could have been done to avoid suffering this loss.
How Is a Chemical Pregnancy Diagnosed?
Doctors can perform pregnancy tests, blood tests and ultrasound tests to learn what has occurred.
1. Urine Pregnancy Test
For the first time, a home test might be positive because hCG is in the urine.
If the pregnancy does not continue to grow, the hormone level begins to drop, and a test performed later in the pregnancy might be negative.
But home tests can't determine the cause of this change.
2. Blood hCG Test
The test for hCG hormone level is a type of blood test.
Your doctor might ask you to have two tests that are about 48 hours apart to determine the rate of change in the level of the hormone.
If hCG levels start to decrease, it could indicate an early miscarriage.
But at the same time other conditions such as ectopic pregnancy have to be taken into account, too.
3. Ultrasound Examination
An ultrasound test may not detect a miscarriage if it occurs early.
Your doctor might order a scan to check the uterus and determine if there are other causes for bleeding or pain.
In the absence of location confirmation, physicians might have to monitor hCG for some time until it becomes clear.
Consult a obstetrics and gynaecologist
How Is a Chemical Pregnancy Treated?
In most cases, a chemical pregnancy is not surgically correct or especially medical treated. The pregnancy tissue normally expels on its own, and the hCG declines to normal non-pregnancy levels.
Your doctor might want to do repeat blood tests to be sure the hormone is decreasing as it should.
Some people's cramps and bleeding last for a few days. Your doctor may suggest suitable pain relief depending on your symptoms and medical history.
If you have any of the following symptoms, however, get medical help right away:
Very heavy vaginal bleeding.
Extremely painful abdomen or pelvis.
Sudden stabbing pain in one side of the lower abdomen.
Shoulder-tip pain.
Dizziness, weakness or fainting.
Sometimes these signs may be a sign of ectopic pregnancy or bleeding internally. An ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg attaches to the wall of a fallopian tube or at other locations outside of the uterus. If not treated in time, it can turn to be dangerous.
Is it possible to conceive after a Chemical Pregnancy?
Yes. For most, it is possible to conceive again following a chemical pregnancy and have a healthy pregnancy.
If there is a miscarriage early on, there is no permanent damage to the fertility of the woman. You may experience another period of ovulation in the next few weeks, sometimes as early as two weeks after the loss. There is a possibility of pregnancy before your next period.
Usually there is no need to wait several months after an uncomplicated early pregnancy loss. Your doctor will be able to advise you when you can resume the process of trying for a baby.
If you have a history of recurrent miscarriages, see your gynaecologist or a fertility expert. They might advise tests to check for any underlying causes.
Is it possible to prevent a Chemical Pregnancy?
Unfortunately, there isn't any guaranteed way to prevent a chemical pregnancy. A number of early losses are due to "uncontrolled" chromosomal abnormalities.
But, being a healthy woman before pregnancy can help with overall reproductive health.
A few tips and suggestions:
Have a well balanced and healthy diet.
Consider folic acid prior to becoming pregnant.
Do not smoke or drink alcohol.
Control existing health problems like diabetes and thyroid problems.
Have regular physical examinations.
Talk with your doctor about any medicines or supplements prior to pregnancy.
Do not think that you did something wrong if you have a chemical pregnancy. It's also natural to be sad, confused or disheartened following an early pregnancy loss. Allow yourself enough recovery time both physically and emotionally.
References
Frequently asked questions
Can you have a chemical pregnancy without knowing?
Yes. Many people do not realize they have experienced an early pregnancy loss. The bleeding may look like a normal period, especially if they did not take a pregnancy test before it started.
Does a chemical pregnancy affect future fertility?
Usually, no. One chemical pregnancy does not generally affect your ability to conceive or have a healthy pregnancy in the future.
Can you get pregnant immediately after a chemical pregnancy?
Yes. Ovulation can return within a few weeks, sometimes around two weeks after an early pregnancy loss. You may conceive before your next menstrual period.
When should you see a doctor after a chemical pregnancy?
Contact your doctor if you experience bleeding after a positive pregnancy test. Seek urgent medical attention for severe abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, shoulder-tip pain, dizziness or fainting.
