Chemical pregnancies (also known as biochemical pregnancies) are very common.
had any pregnancy symptoms, or even missed a period. They may simply have a late period that’s a bit heavier than usual.
Signs and Symptoms of Chemical Pregnancy
Because a chemical pregnancy occurs so soon after conception, some women may not be aware they’re pregnant. Those who do know that they’re pregnant or suspect they’ve had a chemical pregnancy may experience the following symptoms:
- A late period
- Heavy period-like bleeding, perhaps with clots
- Menstrual-like cramps
Learn More About Signs and Symptoms of Chemical Pregnancy
Causes and Risk Factors of Chemical Pregnancy
In an assisted pregnancy that uses frozen embryos, damage that occurs to the embryo during the freezing process may result in a chemical pregnancy; as many as 20 percent of pregnancies involving the transfer of frozen embryos result in a chemical pregnancy.
Other causes can include:
- An insufficient (too thin) uterine lining
- A problem with DNA in the sperm
- Low hormone levels
- Infections
- Pregnancy with an IUD in place
How Is Chemical Pregnancy Diagnosed?
In other instances, women may not even know they’ve been pregnant; they may think their period is simply late.
Prognosis of Chemical Pregnancy
If you have a medical condition (such as diabetes or a thyroid disorder) that may have contributed to a chemical pregnancy, getting it properly treated may help improve your chances of conceiving a viable pregnancy in the future.
Duration of Chemical Pregnancy
Treatment and Medication Options for Chemical Pregnancy
If a medical condition may have contributed to a chemical pregnancy, getting it properly treated can help you improve your chances of conceiving a viable pregnancy and having a healthy baby in the future.
Otherwise, once your menstrual cycle normalizes, you can try to get pregnant again whenever you feel ready.
Complications of Chemical Pregnancy
There aren’t usually any physical complications of chemical pregnancy, aside from cramping and sometimes heavier-than-usual bleeding. In rare instances, women may experience very heavy bleeding or hemorrhaging after a chemical pregnancy, which can lead to anemia; this requires medical attention.
RELATED: Early Pregnancy Loss May Trigger Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms
Whatever your feelings are, accept them and allow yourself time to fully process them, perhaps with support from friends, family members, or support groups.
Research and Statistics: How Many People Have a Chemical Pregnancy?
But in many cases, women don’t even know they were pregnant because the pregnancy loss occurs so early.
Related Conditions and Causes of Chemical Pregnancy
In an assisted pregnancy that uses frozen embryos, damage that occurs to the embryo during the freezing process may result in a chemical pregnancy;
as mentioned above, as many as 22 percent of IFV pregnancies may be chemical pregnancies.
Resources We Love
To learn more about chemical pregnancies, check out the following websites.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
ACOG is a go-to source for research-supported information about women’s reproductive health issues, including conception, pregnancy and pregnancy loss, and best practices for each of these issues.
A valuable source of information about various types of miscarriages and how they affect women physically and emotionally, this UK-based organization provides news and research updates and various support services.