What is Chemical Pregnancy? Symptoms and Causes

Chemical pregnancy refers to situations in which the process does not progress to clinical pregnancy despite the positive result of the pregnancy test. This condition, also defined as biochemical pregnancy, preclinical embryo loss and trophoblast regression, is the loss that usually occurs immediately after the embryo settles into the uterine wall (implantation) or in the first 5 weeks of pregnancy. Since chemical pregnancy occurs at the very beginning of the pregnancy, some women may experience chemical pregnancy without being aware of it during this period, when symptoms such as menstrual delay or positive pregnancy result, which are signs of the beginning of the pregnancy, are not yet present. Chemical pregnancies never continue until the gestational sac can be examined with ultrasonography.

What is Chemical Pregnancy?

A chemical pregnancy is a miscarriage that occurs very early in the pregnancy (before the 5-week period) and around the time the next menstrual bleeding will occur. Chemical pregnancies are considered responsible for approximately 8-33% of all miscarriage pregnancies. In in vitro fertilization (IVF) applications, this rate varies between 18-22%.

What Causes Chemical Pregnancy?

Chemical pregnancy is not a false pregnancy or a false positive pregnancy test. Chemical pregnancy occurs long before the fetus can be observed on ultrasonography, and the causes of chemical pregnancy may be due to genetic factors. When the causes of chemical pregnancy are examined, the most common reason is chromosomal abnormalities.

What are the Symptoms of Chemical Pregnancy?

Symptoms of chemical pregnancy may vary from person to person, and some women may go through this process without being aware of the symptoms. In this situation, which occurs in the very early stages of pregnancy, the symptoms that occur during pregnancy do not occur. Symptoms that may occur in the presence of chemical pregnancy can be summarized as follows:

  • Mild abdominal pain,
  • A positive pregnancy test turning negative after a short time,
  • Mild menstrual bleeding one week before the expected time,
  • Bleeding from the vagina after a positive pregnancy test,
  • Low level of hCG hormone in blood tests. Since the pregnancy hormone level is low in chemical pregnancies, early pregnancy symptoms such as fatigue and nausea are not expected to occur. Although chemical pregnancy does not cause any negative physical effects on the person’s body, it can wear the person out a bit emotionally.

Since the pregnancy hormone level is low in chemical pregnancies, early pregnancy symptoms such as fatigue and nausea are not expected to occur. Although chemical pregnancy does not cause any negative physical effects on the person’s body, it can wear the person out a bit emotionally. Regardless of when the pregnancy ends, even the loss of a pregnancy in its early stages can result in deep sadness.

How to Understand Chemical Pregnancy?

In chemical pregnancies, the gestational sac cannot reach a size that can be seen on ultrasonography, so blood tests are used to understand the chemical pregnancy. In case of clinical pregnancy, unlike chemical pregnancy, various pregnancy structures can be detected in addition to observing the heartbeat of the fetus. In some chemical pregnancies, the hCG hormone level in the blood may be well below the detectable level. In some chemical pregnancies, there is a decrease in the initially measured hormone level over time. In clinical pregnancy situations, the hCG hormone is both detectable and its level increases over time.

When Does Chemical Pregnancy Happen?

Chemical pregnancy may occur at any time, but one should be aware as various factors may facilitate the development of this condition. Advanced maternal age is an important risk factor in the development of chemical pregnancy. Since there is an increase in the risk of chromosomal abnormalities that may occur in the fetus, especially in the pregnancies of women aged 35 and over, there may be a predisposition to chemical pregnancy. Although the effect of paternal age on the development of miscarriage is not yet a fully clarified issue, various studies emphasize that the increase in paternal age may be related to the increase in the risk of chemical pregnancy.

Apart from the age factor, there may also be an increase in the risk of chemical pregnancy in various medical conditions. Type 1 and 2 diabetes are diseases that can cause loss in the early stages of pregnancy. Chemical pregnancy can also occur in various thyroid diseases other than diabetes. If this gland is both overactive and there is a decrease in its functions, the person is considered to be at risk for the development of chemical pregnancy. Obesity is another factor that may be effective in early pregnancy losses. As a result of various studies, there may be an increase in the risk of chemical pregnancy, especially in people with a body mass index of 25 and above.

Both long-term and sudden-onset stress increase the risk of miscarriage in the early stages of pregnancy. In chronic (long-term) stress, this may occur due to mechanisms such as increased cortisol hormone levels, increased susceptibility to various infectious diseases and weakening of the immune system. In addition to all these factors, it should not be forgotten that alcohol or substance use is also among the factors that should be taken into consideration in order to avoid chemical pregnancy.

When Does Bleeding Start During Chemical Pregnancy?

Although some people who have had a chemical pregnancy think that more severe bleeding may occur due to this situation, this is not the truth. Bleeding during a chemical pregnancy is usually at the same level as normal menstrual bleeding. The timing of bleeding due to chemical pregnancy usually occurs in the form of spotting one week before the normal menstrual period. The type of this bleeding has different characteristics than the bleeding that occurs after implantation (settlement in the uterus).

How Many Days is Menstruation Delayed in a Chemical Pregnancy?

Menstrual delay after chemical pregnancy is one of the issues of curiosity. There is no significant menstrual delay in chemical pregnancy. The end of this condition generally occurs one week after the normal menstrual cycle.

What is Chemical Pregnancy Treatment?

For those who have experienced a chemical pregnancy once, this does not mean that this person will never be able to give birth to a healthy child again. Although there is currently no general treatment method for chemical pregnancy-style abortions, there are various auxiliary approaches to fulfill the pregnancy wish. In people who have had chemical pregnancies more than once, doctors perform various tests to clarify the underlying cause of this situation. If the underlying cause is revealed and this situation is controlled, a person’s risk of experiencing a chemical pregnancy can be reduced.

Chemical pregnancies cause very little change in the person’s body because they occur at very early times. Therefore, in the presence of these minor changes, no medical intervention is usually required. The occurrence of a chemical pregnancy does not cause any harm in couples trying again to fulfill their pregnancy wish.

What Should Be Considered After Chemical Pregnancy?

There are many individuals among those who become pregnant after chemical pregnancy. After a chemical pregnancy, couples can start trying to have children again unless stated otherwise by physicians. Various studies show that the desire for pregnancy after chemical pregnancy can be fulfilled even after a period as short as 2 weeks after early pregnancy loss. At the same time, one should not be mistaken that if a person has had a chemical pregnancy in the past, this will prevent her from having children in the future. When viewed from a different perspective, chemical pregnancy indicates that the resulting embryo can continue its development until the pre-implantation period. Therefore, it is possible for individuals who experience a chemical pregnancy to have a healthy pregnancy in the future.

However, pregnancy loss at any stage can cause the person to experience deep sadness, mourning and anxiety. For this reason, it is very important for individuals experiencing chemical pregnancy to seek support from health institutions without hesitation.

Abbas Jahangir

I am a researcher and writer with a background in food and nutritional science. I am the founder of Foodstrend.com, our reputable online platform offering scientifically-backed articles on health, food, nutrition, kitchen tips, recipes, diet, and fitness. With a commitment to providing accurate and reliable information, we strive to empower our readers to make informed decisions about their health and lifestyle choices. Join us on Foodstrend.com's journey toward a healthier and happier lifestyle.

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