Could someone please explain a 'chemical' pregnancy?

Question

I've heard it talked about here and no longer want to be ignorant..

Answer 1

thank you for asking this! i just heard of this today too and im curious myself lol

thanks!!! i came back and read all the answers...i never heard of miscarriage refered to as chemical...interesting... =)

Answer 2

Its a pregnancy detected by pregnancy tests but not by ultrasound - the embryo dies soon after conception.  

Answer 3

Question: What is a chemical pregnancy?

Answer:

This is a medical term for a very early miscarriage. This type of loss usually occurs before or right around when a woman would expect her period.

You may feel like you are hearing more about chemical pregnancies these days, that is most likely because of very early pregnancy testing at home. These early pregnancy tests can give an accurate positive result before you expect your period. Then the pregnancy fails. Without these tests the woman would not have known she was even pregnant.

Chemical pregnancies are not the result of anything that you have done. They can be casued by chromosomal disorders, hormonal issues, luteal phase defect (LPD), problems with the lining of the uterus, some infections or even structural abnormalities within the uterus, including fibroids.

While very unlikely, reoccurring chemical pregnancies need to be treated by your doctor or midwife. There may be some medicinal therapies that can be beneficial, depending on what your practitioner feels is the cause of your problems. Some include hormone therapies, antibiotics or even baby aspirin.

Answer 4

I experienced one almost 2 months ago.  It's when the sperm fertilizes the egg so if you test early (before your period is due) there is sometimes enough hcg to get a positive result.  Then you end up getting your period anyway because the egg didn't attach to the uteris wall, resulting in a very early miscarriage.   Statistics say that this happens almost 40% of pregnancies but most women never ever know because it you aren't trying to conceive, or even if you are, you usually don't test early.  I tested early because I was having some of the strange symptoms I had very early in my first pregnancy.

Answer 5

It's when you miscarry before the hearbeat can be seen.