What is a Chemical Pregnancy?

Key Takeaways

• The journey to parenthood can be filled with ups and downs. One of the most confusing and potentially heartbreaking experiences can be a chemical pregnancy. 
• A chemical pregnancy is a term used to describe a pregnancy that is large enough to produce pregnancy hormone (hCG) in the bloodstream but starts to fail before it is able to be seen with ultrasound. Therefore, these pregnancies are typically early pregnancy losses that occur within the first few weeks, often before a missed period. 
• Chemical pregnancies are common. It’s estimated that at least 10-20 percent of all pregnancies end in early miscarriage. However, if you experience recurrent miscarriages, it’s time to see a fertility specialist for further evaluation and possible treatment.

What Is a Chemical Pregnancy?

A chemical (also called a biochemical) pregnancy is an early pregnancy loss that occurs within the first few weeks, often before a missed period. According to the American Pregnancy Association, chemical pregnancies are often caused by DNA irregularities in the embryo. These abnormalities prevent the embryo from growing and developing normally, which ends the pregnancy very early on – often before patients even realize they’re pregnant.The Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Association estimates that up to 1 in 5 pregnancies ends in miscarriage.

The silver lining is that with time, most couples and individuals go on to have healthy pregnancies.But why is it called a chemical pregnancy? The term comes from the chemicals in your body, human chorionic gonadotrophic (hCG) hormone, that are produced by the developing embryo. It’s this hormone that causes a pregnancy test to pop up positive. Once the embryo stops developing, however, hCG levels begin to fall and ultimately return to zero. This pattern happens in all miscarriages. A chemical pregnancy simply means that the pregnancy never was large enough to visualize with an ultrasound.

Signs of Chemical Pregnancy

The most common sign of a chemical pregnancy is a positive pregnancy test followed by a negative test a few days later. You may also experience light spotting or bleeding, which can be mistaken for a late period. 

While these early miscarriages typically resolve naturally and your physical recovery is swift, the emotional healing process may take longer. It's important to recognize that even early pregnancy losses can trigger feelings of grief and loss, and these emotions are completely normal. Be gentle with yourself, allow time to process your emotions, and seek pregnancy loss resources for additional support.

Can Chemical Pregnancy Be Avoided?

Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do to prevent a chemical pregnancy. It's usually a random event and not necessarily a sign of any underlying medical conditions. Most individuals who experience these early miscarriages go on to have healthy pregnancies later on.And while it's impossible to prevent miscarriage completely, there are steps you can take to minimize your risk: 

• Manage Existing ConditionsKeeping chronic conditions like thyroid issues, diabetes, PCOS, or high blood pressure under control can significantly improve pregnancy outcomes.
• Healthy ChoicesMaintaining a healthy lifestyle, including avoiding smoking and illegal drug use, and engaging in safe behaviors, can contribute to a healthier pregnancy.
• Seek Professional GuidanceRepetitive chemical pregnancies could signal a broader problem, such as tubal damage or immune system dysfunction. If you experience two or more chemical pregnancies, a broader evaluation with a reproductive specialist is recommended. 

Clinical Pregnancy vs. Chemical Pregnancy

As mentioned previously, the difference between a clinical pregnancy and a chemical pregnancy lies in the confirmation process. A "clinical pregnancy" is able to be confirmed by both an ultrasound scan and blood work. If a miscarriage occurs after a positive pregnancy test but before an ultrasound is able to detect anything, it’s called a "chemical pregnancy." It’s important to remember that chemical pregnancies still count!

A lot of processes had to work for a chemical pregnancy to occur – the egg and sperm had to successfully meet and fertilize, at least one fallopian tube had to be open, the embryo had to be competent to communicate with the uterus and implant, etc. So, even though something is going wrong with a chemical pregnancy, a lot had to go right too! Having said that, after two to three pregnancy losses of any kind (including chemical), it is recommended to seek treatment with a fertility specialist and obtain a full workup to identify factors that could be causing pregnancies to shut down.

When to Visit a Fertility Expert

At San Diego Fertility Center, we understand the emotional journey of trying to conceive.  It can be incredibly frustrating and disheartening when a pregnancy doesn't progress as expected. Our team is dedicated to supporting you every step of the way with personalized and compassionate expert care, along with a strong network of resources. Contact us to schedule your consultation. Together, we can navigate this journey toward your dreams of parenthood. 

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified fertility care expert for personalized guidance.