What is a chemical pregnancy?

Former Member

What is one? I've been told so many different things..

Former Member

It's a very early miscarriage. The egg is fertilised, but either doesn't implant properly, or is abnormal in some way. Your body recognises that the pregnancy is not viable, miscarries, and you get what you assume to be your normal period around the same time you would normally.

If you didn't do a test at exactly the right time, you probably wouldn't even realise it had happened.

Former Member

My understanding is it's where the egg is fertilised, thus producing a small amount of the pregnancy hormone and often causing a faint positive line if a test is taken. However, the zygote never attaches to the uterine wall and so is expelled with the next period.

Former Member

Kaff wrote: »

It's a very early miscarriage. The egg is fertilised, but either doesn't implant properly, or is abnormal in some way. Your body recognises that the pregnancy is not viable, miscarries, and you get what you assume to be your normal period around the same time you would normally.

If you didn't do a test at exactly the right time, you probably wouldn't even realise it had happened.

I think I've experienced one. My period was really heavy and then after about a week's break, I came on a period which was a lot more like my normal period.

Former Member

Evenstar wrote: »

My understanding is it's where the egg is fertilised, thus producing a small amount of the pregnancy hormone and often causing a faint positive line if a test is taken. However, the zygote never attaches to the uterine wall and so is expelled with the next period.

What causes this to happen? Should I be upset if this has happened to me?

Former Member

you shouldnt necessarily be upset, although some people might be if theyd been trying for a baby for a while.

Former Member

I haven't been trying so if it just happened should I treat it as a miscarriage or just see it as 'nothing' really?

Former Member

As you are on the pill it is very unlikely that you have experienced a chemical pregnancy, but if you have, no, it's nothing to worry about.

Former Member

lyric wrote: »

I think I've experienced one. My period was really heavy and then after about a week's break, I came on a period which was a lot more like my normal period.

I think its more likely down to you having just started taking the pill.

Former Member

I've took it before. I took it when I was sixteen.

Former Member

Kaff wrote: »

As you are on the pill it is very unlikely that you have experienced a chemical pregnancy, but if you have, no, it's nothing to worry about.

Should I feel upset?

Former Member

lyric wrote: »

Should I feel upset?

It's not a requirement.

Former Member

But is it classed as anything by doctors or is it too early to be classed as a miscarriage?

Former Member

lyric wrote: »

But is it classed as anything by doctors or is it too early to be classed as a miscarriage?

Well in your case it would be classed as nothing since you didn't have a positive test and your symptoms are far more easily explained by another reason.

Doctors would probably only investigate if someone was actively trying to conceive with no luck, and had had repeated chemical pregnancies over a series of months. Otherwise it's pretty normal, and nothing to worry about. It's nature's way of terminating a pregnancy that never would have worked out.

Former Member

Yeah, true. It obviously wasn't meant to be.

Former Member

its not really classed as a miscarriage no, and its extremely common

Former Member

Oh, good. Why does it occur, do you know? Like why can't the egg attach to the uterus?

Former Member

because not all of them are viable.

Former Member

In most cases theres probably something wrong with it

Former Member

Isn't it something that happens as part of a chemical romance?

lyric wrote: »

But is it classed as anything by doctors or is it too early to be classed as a miscarriage?

It's classed as a chemical pregnancy, and is quite normal.

It means a lucky sperm got into an egg, but either it didn't work out, or it didn't manage to attach properly.

Should you feel anything? Well, every period is the failure of a potential child, so you could grieve for each one. Otherwise relief or disappointment are about the only normal feelings to have about it.

Former Member

True. Thanks for the advice people