What Is a Chemical Pregnancy?
Chemical pregnancies may account for 50 to 75 percent of all miscarriages.
Learning that you're pregnant can be one of the most profound moments of your life.
But experiencing heavy bleeding around the time of your expected period soon after receiving a positive result from a pregnancy test can be a sign that you're no longer pregnant.
A chemical pregnancy, or a very early miscarriage, occurs when a pregnancy is lost shortly after implantation, resulting in heavy bleeding.
The American Pregnancy Association reports that chemical pregnancies may account for 50 to 75 percent of all miscarriages.
What Happens During a Chemical Pregnancy?
When a fertilized egg implants in the uterus, cells that would become the placenta begin to produce levels of the pregnancy hormone hCG.
These hCG levels are high enough that they're able to be detected on a blood or urine test and can create a positive result on a pregnancy test.
However, at this point, an ultrasound wouldn't be able to detect a gestational sac or placenta developing, and an ultrasound couldn't detect a heartbeat.
During a chemical pregnancy, the fertilized egg doesn't complete implantation, and loss of pregnancy occurs, resulting in bleeding about a week after your regular period was due.
Signs of Chemical Pregnancy
Because chemical pregnancy occurs early in a pregnancy, women may not even realize that theyve conceived when they experience a chemical pregnancy.
Light spotting or bleeding following a positive pregnancy test can be signs of pregnancy rather than a miscarriage.
However, the following may be signs of a chemical pregnancy:
- Heavy bleeding
- Menstrual-like cramps
- Passing clots from the vagina
Call your doctor immediately if you have heavy bleeding and/or cramping after a positive pregnancy test.
Chemical Pregnancy Causes
The reasons for miscarriage vary, but most occur because the fetus isn't developing normally.
Errors with genes or chromosomes usually occur by chance as the embryo divides and grows.
Other causes may include the following:
- Inadequate uterine lining
- Low hormone levels
- Luteal phase defect
- Infection
When Can I Become Pregnant Again?
You can ovulate and become pregnant as soon as 2 weeks after an early miscarriage, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
However, you may want to discuss what's best for you with your doctor.
Sources:
- Miscarriage; American Pregnancy Association
- Early Pregnancy Loss (Miscarriage); American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
- Miscarriage; Mayo Clinic
Source: http://www.everydayhealth.com
