What is a chemical pregnancy?

Question

I found out I was pregnant a week ago and then today all of sudden I started bleeding. I went to the ER and they told me that more than likely I had a chemical pregnancy. Can anyone help me understand what that actually means?

Answer 1

I researched it, but found some information, hope it helps:
A positive pregnancy test, but with levels of pregnancy hormone too low for ultrasound documentation of a pregnancy.

form of miscarriage. It is termed "chemical" because the only clinical evidence of pregnancy is a lab test, which indicates that that implantation occurred but only developed long enough to raise your circulating blood level of hCG. These are often early non-viable genetic "accidents."

usually a general term to apply to many early miscarriages where a baby never develops. The "chemicals" or hormones of the pregnancy were produced, but a baby did not form. Often the pregnancy itself could not be diagnosed, as the loss happened too early. See also blighted ovum.

an early loss that ends before the next period is due. There are usually no pregnancy symptoms, but a blood test can reveal small amounts of the pregnancy hormone HCG.

Answer 2

A chemical pregnancy is the clinical term used for a very early miscarriage. In many cases, the positive pregnancy test was achieved before the woman's period was due but a miscarrige occured before a heartbeat was able to be seen on an ultrasound.

With the ultra sensitive pregnancy tests on the market today, it is easier than ever to get a positive result 3 or 4 days before your period is due. It is wonderful for those who NEED to know, but does have it's down side. Early testing shows chemical pregnancies which would not have been detected had the woman waited for her period to arrive.

Chemical pregnancies are unfortunately very common. 50 to 60% of first pregnancies end in miscarriage very early in pregnancy. Most occur without the woman even knowing that she was pregnant.


I'm very sorry! Good luck with everything.

Answer 3

"A chemical pregnancy is the clinical term for a pregnancy that is confirmed by a pregnancy test, but not by clinical signs, and is lost before clinical signs can be observed through means such as an ultrasound. The pregnancy test is often "faintly" positive or blood hCg levels are low. It is believed that fertilization occurs, but that the egg never implants. "

Answer 4

Basically it is when the egg does not properly implant so it does not have a strong enough hold of the uterus and it is flushed out with a period. Many women have these and don't even realize that they are pregnant because they start bleeding and think it is just their period either a day or 2 early or a day or two late.

Answer 5

Those are all great answers, but why didn't a doctor explain that to you. That's irritating if they didn't try at all. Doctors are so retarded sometimes. (Sorry to offend any docs, but I haven't been liking many lately.) Anyways, next time you should make sure to ask someone to explain to you what that means, because that is something I have never even heard of. And it is something you should be clear about since it happened in your body.

Answer 6

I posted a link for you to go to, it tells about chemical pregnancy and you will find it helpful i'm sure cause it'll help you understand a little bit better!!!! Sorry about your loss alos been through it b4!!! :(

Answer 7

something wasn't quite right with the fetus, and it just couldn't go on. it was nothing you did, and there was nothing you could have done to stop it. I'm sorry for your loss.

Answer 8

every answer before me is correct. they are all discribing the details quite accurately!