Ever heard about Chemical Pregnancy? We’ll untangle the mysteries surrounding this early pregnancy loss, shed light on the science behind their occurrence, and delve deep into the emotional turmoil they cause.
As we navigate the intricate web of human biology, we’ll find out “What is a chemical pregnancy?” and “Why do they happen.” But it doesn’t stop there; we’ll also inform you how to deal with the emotional rollercoaster that follows. Join us as we seek understanding, resilience, and healing in the face of life’s unexpected twists and turns.
What is Chemical Pregnancy?
First things first, Chemical pregnancy is not a term that most women are familiar with, but it is a very common occurrence. A chemical pregnancy, also known as a biochemical pregnancy, is a type of miscarriage that occurs when an egg is fertilised but does not fully implant into the uterus. These typically occur between weeks 4 and 5 of a menstrual cycle.
The term “chemical pregnancy” refers to the fact that it is diagnosed biochemically: enough of the pregnancy hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is produced to be detected in the blood and, in most cases, with a urine pregnancy test.
These pregnancies are more common than you might think, accounting for up to 33% of all pregnancies and 22% of IVF pregnancies. The fertilised egg implants into the uterine wall about four weeks after the first day of your last period in a normal pregnancy (right around the time of a missed period).
The cells that will form the placenta start producing enough hCG to be detected in the blood or urine. When a chemical pregnancy occurs, implantation fails and the cells cease to develop before we can see anything on ultrasound. This causes bleeding a few days to a week after your regular period is due, so many women who have a chemical pregnancy are unaware they are pregnant.
What are the symptoms of a chemical pregnancy?
Since the symptoms are often mild and similar to those of a regular period, many women who have a chemical pregnancy may not even realise they are pregnant. Symptoms that should alert you to the possibility of a chemical pregnancy include:
- A late or missed period
This is frequently the first symptom of a chemical pregnancy. Your period could be several days or even a week late.
- Light bleeding or Spotting
This can begin a few days before your period and last for several days or weeks. The bleeding could be lighter or heavier than your regular period.
- Cramps
These can be mild or moderate, and they can come and go.
- Abdominal pain
This could be a dull ache or a severe pain.
- Backache
The pain could be dull or sharp.
If you have any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor right away. They can determine whether you had a chemical pregnancy and rule out any other potential causes of your symptoms.
It should be noted that not all women who exhibit these symptoms have had a chemical pregnancy. Other conditions, such as ovarian cysts or infections, can also cause these symptoms.
Chemical pregnancy bleeding is similar to a period but can be heavier. It is critical to keep an eye out for signs of excessive bleeding, such as soaking through two pads per hour for two hours straight. Another reason to go to the nearest emergency department right away is dizziness which makes it difficult to sit or stand without assistance.
What causes chemical pregnancies?
The inability of a pregnancy to progress from a chemical to a clinical pregnancy may be due to the embryo or a structural problem with the uterus. A chromosomal abnormality with the embryo is the most common cause of miscarriage, including chemical pregnancies.
These are typically sporadic, meaning they occurred on their own and were not passed down from either parent. An embryo with such a defect has a low chance of progressing and eventually stops developing. This can happen to women of any age, but it is more likely to happen to women over the age of 35.
A 2015 study compared the chemical pregnancy rate of patients aged 42 and younger who underwent single embryo transfer (where one fresh and frozen embryo is selected and implanted into the uterus) to those attempting to conceive spontaneously.
The study discovered that chemical pregnancy rates were actually lower in the IVF group, indicating that IVF has no effect on this. The ability to choose the embryo for transfer most likely helps to eliminate the possibility of implanting a problematic embryo in the first place.
Another cause of chemical pregnancies is when the uterus or endometrial lining is insufficient to support pregnancy development. This could be due to factors such as:
- Uterine Fibroids
These are noncancerous muscle tissue growths that can protrude into the uterine cavity, distorting its shape and preventing implantation. Fibroids can also impair blood flow to the endometrium, impeding embryo development even further.
- Congenital Uterine Malformations
These are uterine structural abnormalities that can occur during foetal development. Uterine septum, a vertical partition dividing the uterus into two chambers, and didelphys uterus, a condition in which the uterus appears divided into two distinct organs, are two examples. These malformations have the potential to impair the uterus’ ability to support a pregnancy.
- Endometrial Polyps
These are noncancerous, small growths that protrude from the endometrium. While many endometrial polyps are asymptomatic, others can cause bleeding and inflammation, which can interfere with embryo implantation.
- Luteal Phase Defects
These hormonal imbalances interfere with the endometrium’s normal development during the luteal phase, the period following ovulation when the endometrium prepares for implantation. Inadequate endometrial development can increase the risk of miscarriage.
How to Cope After a Chemical Pregnancy?
After two pregnancy losses, a workup for recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is usually recommended. When this occurs, genetic testing of both partners is frequently recommended in order to detect things like genetic clotting disorders, which are sometimes associated with recurrent pregnancy losses.
Getting any hormone deficiencies or thyroid disease treated will reduce your chances of having a chemical pregnancy. Unfortunately, no specific factor has been identified in up to 75% of Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) couples.
The silver lining to a chemical pregnancy is that it shows that a person can become pregnant even if the pregnancy is not completed.
And, for those patients in a hurry, there’s no medical reason why they can’t resume trying to conceive soon after a chemical pregnancy. In fact, a person can ovulate and become pregnant as soon as two weeks after conception. According to some research, women may be more fertile after a chemical pregnancy.
According to a recent study, those who attempted to conceive within three months of a loss were 18% more likely to conceive and 17% more likely to have a live birth than those who waited longer. The researchers discovered no increase in the risk of pregnancy complications in the group that attempted conception right away.
Women may be more fertile following a chemical pregnancy based on some research.
Is it possible to prevent chemical pregnancies?
Unfortunately, because the majority of chemical pregnancies are caused by spontaneous chromosomal abnormalities, there is no single thing that can be done to prevent them. The most important determinant of these abnormalities is maternal age.
While it is not possible to entirely prevent chemical pregnancies, there are some precautions that can be taken. These are a few examples:
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
This includes eating a well-balanced diet, exercising on a regular basis, and refraining from smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. These practices can improve overall health and lower the risk of underlying conditions that can lead to chemical pregnancies.
- Folic acid supplementation
Folic acid is a B vitamin that is required for the proper development of the neural tube, which eventually develops into the brain and spinal cord. Taking folic acid supplements before and during early pregnancy can help reduce the risk of developing embryo chromosomal abnormalities, which can lead to chemical pregnancies.
- Managing underlying health conditions
Taking care of any pre-existing health conditions, such as thyroid disorders, diabetes, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can improve overall health and lower the risk of pregnancy complications, including chemical pregnancies.
- Seeking early prenatal care
Regular prenatal checkups enable healthcare providers to closely monitor the pregnancy and identify any potential problems early on. Early intervention has been shown to improve pregnancy outcomes and lower the risk of complications, including chemical pregnancies.
- Minimizing stress levels
Excessive stress can interfere with embryo development by affecting hormone levels. Stress-reduction techniques such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises can help promote emotional balance and lower the risk of complications.
Ultimately, it is important to remember that chemical pregnancies can still occur even with these precautions. This is because some chemical pregnancies are caused by random chromosomal abnormalities that cannot be avoided. Women can improve their chances of having a successful pregnancy by adopting healthy lifestyle habits and seeking appropriate medical care.
As we said earlier, some women may be unaware of a chemical pregnancy if it is mistaken for a late period. For those who do notice, an early miscarriage is still a miscarriage, and the loss can be heartbreaking, particularly for those who have been trying to conceive for a long time. Having adequate support from your partner and loved ones is critical during this time.
It is common for patients to feel sadness, anxiety, and guilt as a result of their fears that they may have caused the loss or that something is “wrong” with them.
If you have had a chemical pregnancy, you should give yourself time to grieve and seek support from friends, family, or a support group. The vast majority of women who have experienced a chemical pregnancy have subsequent healthy pregnancies.
