Chemical Pregnancy

Experiencing a chemical pregnancy can be emotionally disturbing for a couple keen on conception. Approximately 70% of miscarriages are early chemical pregnancies and a nature’s way to deal with genetically non-viable embryos.

What is a chemical pregnancy?
A very early miscarriage occurring much before the pregnancy symptoms are noticed is called a chemical pregnancy. The name "chemical" is conveys the fact that the only evidence of pregnancy is raised level of hCG seen in a laboratory test.

What are some important facts related to chemical pregnancy?

• Occurs in the first trimester around 2-4 weeks
• Loss of pregnancy is seen before the next menstrual cycle is missed
• Lack of implantation of fertilized egg to the uterus
• Loss of pregnancy is well before the fetal heart activity could begin
• Miscarriage is interpreted to be a normal menstruation
• Early pregnancy testing delivers positive results causing an illusion of pregnancy
• Repeating the pregnancy test later shows negative results
• Only way to diagnose is elevated levels of hCG in blood
• Impossible to diagnose with an ultrasound
• Increased maternal age exhibits increased risk of miscarriages

What are the causes of chemical pregnancy?
Hormonal Deficiencies, genetic problems, uterine fibroids, radiation exposure, smoking and certain drugs are some of the causes of chemical pregnancies. Uterine infections and blighted ovum may also cause early miscarriages.

What are the signs and symptoms of chemical pregnancy?
It would be really difficult to detect the signs of chemical pregnancies as normal pregnancy symptoms occur around 6 weeks at the earliest. Fatigue and nausea are early symptoms but would be known to a woman who has been pregnant before. Symptoms like abdominal pain, blood clots in menses and prolonged or heavy menstruation suggest miscarriage.

What is its impact on fertility?
Risk of future loss of pregnancy is minimal unless there is a history of recurrent miscarriages. Most women who are unaware that they encountered a chemical pregnancy experience normal pregnancies in future without gynecological help. However, few might need supervision and help with fertility experts.

What is the treatment for chemical pregnancies?
The health care consultant decides upon the treatment depending upon factors responsible for the miscarriage. Proper healthy diet, exercise and recommended vitamin supplements should take care of the nutrition part. Though chromosomal defects can be the ones very difficult to deal with, hormonal deficiencies or uterine abnormalities can be corrected with adequate treatment and surgery.

The bottom line is these pregnancies although unsuccessful prove beyond doubt that the woman is able to conceive. Sustaining it to the stage of clinical pregnancy wherein the actual fetus is formed is achievable with the proper consultation with a gynecologist.