Why do i keep getting chemical pregnancies

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A chemical pregnancy (sometimes called biochemical pregnancy) is a very early pregnancy loss which usually happens just after the embryo implants (before or around 5 weeks).

As it happens at such an early stage, you may not have any pregnancy symptoms apart from your positive test and it would be too early to be able to see anything on a scan. Some women may not even realise that they have experienced a chemical pregnancy as they might not have taken a test or have missed their period.

In recent years, pregnancy tests have become much more sensitive and it is possible to detect pregnancy hormones up to 3 days before a period is due. It’s thought that as a result, more women are detecting these very early losses.

What are the symptoms of a chemical pregnancy?

Symptoms of chemical pregnancy can vary between women. Some will not experience any symptoms at all. However, some women do notice the following:

  • A positive pregnancy test that can quickly turn negative
  • Mild spotting a week before their period is due
  • Very mild abdominal cramping
  • Vaginal bleeding even after testing positive
  • Low HcG levels if your doctor takes a blood test

Will I need any treatment?

A chemical pregnancy does not usually require medical intervention or treatment. However, you may notice that your period is heavier or more painful than normal and you may pass some small blood clots.

Why did it happen?

It is thought that chemical pregnancies occur for similar reasons to many other miscarriages. The most common cause is likely to be chromosomal problems with the developing baby and these are usually random, ‘one-off’ problems.

Is it normal to feel upset?

Even the earliest of pregnancy losses can be very distressing.

Whether your pregnancy was planned or unplanned, the positive pregnancy test might well have sparked thoughts and plans about the future. Even if you only knew you were pregnant for a few days, you may still have feelings of loss and grief, perhaps especially if took a long time, and possibly fertility treatment, to conceive.

You might be upset by the term ‘chemical pregnancy’ itself and feel that it doesn’t at all match your feelings about the baby you began thinking of as soon as you knew you were pregnant.

Not everyone is upset, though. You might feel a little sad but just accept the loss as ‘one of those things’. You may feel relieved that if things had to go wrong, this happened earlier rather than later in the pregnancy. There are no right or wrong feelings.

Whatever your feelings, if you would find it helpful to talk things through, do get in touch. You can see the ways we help here.

A chemical pregnancy is a very early miscarriage. It usually happens before the pregnancy reaches five weeks. Many may not even realize they have had an early miscarriage if it happens soon after a missed period. Doctors often diagnose chemical pregnancy when you have had a positive pregnancy test and you start menstruating after. They may also diagnose it if there's a positive pregnancy test but the fetus can't be seen on an ultrasound.

What is an Early Miscarriage (Chemical Pregnancy)?

Symptoms of a chemical pregnancy. Since it is an early miscarriage, many people don't realize they have had a chemical pregnancy. They may only realize it if they have already had a positive pregnancy test and then get their period. Other signs of a chemical pregnancy include:

  • A heavier than normal period
  • More menstrual cramping than usual
  • Low hCG levels
  • Lack of common pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness or breast soreness after a positive pregnancy test

Causes of a chemical pregnancy. There are many potential causes of an early miscarriage including:

  • Imbalanced hormones
  • Genetic abnormalities in the embryo
  • Lack of proper implantation in the uterus
  • Low body weight

It's important to note that there's little that you can do to prevent an early miscarriage, and it's not the fault of either partner. Additionally, it usually is not a reflection of you or your partner's ability to get pregnant. However, if you believe you have had a chemical pregnancy, it's best to consult a doctor for advice.

Treatments for a chemical pregnancy. Most chemical pregnancies do not require treatment. The miscarriage happens early enough in the pregnancy that it may just seem like a normal or slightly heavy period. If you do have an early miscarriage, you can try to get pregnant again right away if you want.

Those who have had multiple chemical pregnancies or miscarriages should consult a fertility specialist to figure out what's going on.

Coping with an early miscarriage. Any miscarriage, including early ones, can be emotional, and people deal with them in different ways. It's normal to feel a sense of grief and loss. Many people blame themselves for the miscarriage. Additionally, there may be hormonal shifts after a chemical pregnancy that make you more emotional.

Here are some tips for coping with a miscarriage:

  • Realize your feelings are normal after a chemical pregnancy
  • Allow yourself to grieve at your own pace
  • Realize each person's grieving process is different and allow yourself to grieve in your own way
  • Consider joining a support group
  • Consider speaking with a therapist
  • Communicate openly with your partner about how you are feeling
  • Realize that it is normal to feel fear around getting pregnant again
  • It's normal for emotional healing to take longer than physical healing

Risk factors for a chemical pregnancy. While there's nothing you can do to prevent an early miscarriage, there are some risk factors that make you more likely to have one including:

  • Thyroid problems
  • "Geriatric pregnancy" (a pregnancy over the age of 35)
  • Diabetes
  • Blood clotting disorders
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • Using in vitro fertilization (IVF) to get pregnant

How to prevent a chemical pregnancy. There's not much you can do to prevent a chemical pregnancy. Take prenatal vitamins before you even get pregnant to promote healthy fetal development if you plan to get pregnant. Some experts recommend that anyone who may become pregnant, even unintentionally, take prenatal vitamins just in case.

Chemical pregnancies are very normal. Between 10-20% of all pregnancies end in some type of miscarriage. Most people who have an early miscarriage go on to have a healthy pregnancy later on.

Differences Between a Chemical Pregnancy and a Clinical Pregnancy

A chemical pregnancy can only be detected through a pregnancy test, which shows elevated hormone levels. A pregnancy becomes clinical when a doctor can verify the pregnancy through an ultrasound or fetal heartbeat. A chemical pregnancy has no signs that can be felt or heard.

Doctors can usually detect signs of a clinical pregnancy at five to six weeks through an ultrasound, or at six to seven weeks by verifying a fetal heartbeat. However, hormonal pregnancy tests can detect a chemical pregnancy as early as two weeks after conception.

How can I prevent chemical pregnancy again?

Pregnancies often end within the first few weeks. There's no way to prevent a chemical pregnancy from happening, and there's no way to treat one that has happened. Keep in mind, though, successful pregnancies often follow chemical pregnancies.

What do multiple chemical pregnancies mean?

But multiple chemical pregnancies could indicate a genetic error. When this happens with patients, Sternberg often suggests genetic testing for both partners. If you have hormone deficiencies or a thyroid condition, seeking treatment will decrease your odds of having a chemical pregnancy.

How many times can chemical pregnancy happen?

Chemical pregnancies are extremely common — as many as one-third of all pregnancies may be chemical pregnancies, and up to 22 percent of IVF pregnancies may be chemical pregnancies. But in many cases, women don't even know they were pregnant because the pregnancy loss occurs so early.

Who is more likely to have a chemical pregnancy?

Any person can experience chemical pregnancy, but a handful of factors may increase your risk. These include maternal age (people over 35 have a greater chance of any type of miscarriage, says Dr. Averbuch), thyroid and blood clotting disorders, and other medical issues.