Chemical pregnancy is a very early miscarriage. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), it accounts for about 50 – 75% of all miscarriages. This type of pregnancy happens shortly after implantation and results in bleeding right around the time you expect your period. You may not even realize you conceived and suffered a loss.
This type of pregnancy may result in an early positive pregnancy test but you suffer a pregnancy loss even before an ultrasound can show a gestation sac. When the pregnancy occurs to the point where the pregnancy can be detected on an ultrasound, it is called a clinical pregnancy.
What are the causes of a chemical pregnancy ?
The exact cause of this condition is unknown. However, it believed to happen as the same reason miscarriages occur – abnormal chromosomes in the developing embryo. Other possible causes includes the following :
- infections such as toxoplasmosis
- uterine abnormalities
- abnormal hormonal levels
- underlying medical conditions such as thyroid disease
What are the signs of a chemical pregnancy ?
There are usually no signs for a chemical pregnancy. Most women don’t even know that they were pregnant. Some women may have spotting about a week to period or mild abdominal cramping. However typical pregnancy symptoms like fatigue, nausea and vomiting are absent because of low levels of hCG . Your menstrual period may be on time or about a week or so late.
How can I prevent a chemical pregnancy ?
Chemical pregnancies cannot be prevented. Women who experience chemical pregnancies go on to have healthy pregnancies. You may seek counseling to deal with the loss of pregnancy. You should however get medical care to make sure your hCG levels return to normal. You may also need to be checked if you have multiple chemical pregnancies. Your health care provider will determine if treatment is available for you.
Some of the treatment options include :
- surgery to fix abnormalities of the uterus
- antibiotics to treat infection
- progesterone
Ask your doctor which treatment option is right for you.
Content Sources
Chemical pregnancy. Pregnancy corner. http://www.pregnancycorner.com/loss/chemical-pregnancy.html. Accessed March 2 , 2015.. Accessed March 2,2015
What chemical pregnancies indicate. Fertility authority. https://www.fertilityauthority.com/articles/what-chemical-pregnancies-indicate. Accessed March 2, 2015.