For those who have been trying to get pregnant for some time and start to feel some different things, it is natural to take a test. Many women buy a pharmacy test and then a faint positive result appears. They do the beta HCG and also have a low amount of hormone, indicating a positive. They repeat the beta after a while and notice that the HCG hormone has dropped. So, was it a pregnancy or not? What could have happened, then? The answer is: a chemical pregnancy!
If you have gone through this experience, you know that dealing with fear and frustration can be challenging. That’s why I recommend seeking emotional support from a psychologist with experience attending women trying to conceive. Learn about Famivita’s psychological support service for those trying to conceive and receive a free initial assessment session. Click here to learn more!
So, What is a Chemical Pregnancy?
A chemical pregnancy1 is nothing more than a zygote that was poorly implanted or did not develop. To recall, a zygote is an egg fertilized by a sperm that implants, a process we call implantation. In a chemical pregnancy, the egg is fertilized, reaches the uterus, and does not fully implant.
The HCG hormone2 already starts to be produced at the first sign of implantation, as it is responsible for maintaining the pregnancy together with progesterone. The zygote that does not attach completely is eliminated a few days later with the shedding of the endometrium, which is menstruation. So, why can some women detect this hormone even before their period is late or very early?
Since some women are very regular or are anxious to know if their treatment or attempts to get pregnant have worked, they take the test very early and can detect a minimum amount of HCG in the blood which, at times, may yield an indeterminate or negative result in some laboratories, but shows a positive result on the pharmacy test. Confusing? A little!
The factors that determine a chemical pregnancy are simple and very common:
- Missed period (delayed for a short period of time)
- Low amount of HCG hormone in the blood
- Positive pregnancy test and negative beta
- Menstruation soon after
Chemical pregnancies are very common! Often, a woman has a late period and waits a few days without testing. Then, she gets her period and doesn’t even realize what happened. The period, even when late, comes strange, more red and heavier than usual, full of clots and more intense. There may or may not have been fertilization, but the woman won’t notice.
The other day I saw research stating that, in 1 year, a woman could get pregnant 2 to 3 times and the zygote does not implant. There is no clear explanation for why these “pregnancies” happen. It may be natural selection or some hormonal deficiency in the woman3. That’s why it’s important to have your hormones tested regularly. If you are trying to get pregnant, have hormone tests every 3 or 4 months to make sure they are at normal levels!
Some doctors call chemical pregnancy a micro-abortion or recurrent micro-abortion. If the doctor confirms this, they will order tests to find out the cause. There isn’t a definitive term since there is no need for curettage and, often, the woman doesn’t even realize it happened.
This is why I recommend that tests should only be done after a missed period and with tests from reliable brands.
The frustration of learning about a pregnancy that didn’t progress is huge and can be discouraging. But don’t worry, as a chemical pregnancy does not affect your chances of future pregnancies.
See also: Psychological Pregnancy – How to Recognize the Signs?
