Chemical pregnancy refers to the cases where the process does not progress to clinical pregnancy despite the positive result of the pregnancy test. This situation, which is also defined as biochemical pregnancy, preclinical embryo loss and trophoblast regression, is usually the loss that occurs immediately after the implantation of the embryo into the uterine wall or in the first 5 weeks of pregnancy. Due to the fact that chemical pregnancy occurs at the beginning of the pregnancy process, some women may experience chemical pregnancy without being aware of it during this period when conditions such as delayed menstruation or positive pregnancy result, which are signs of the beginning of the pregnancy process, are not yet present. Chemical pregnancies never continue until the gestational sac can be examined on ultrasonography.
What is Chemical Pregnancy?
Chemical pregnancy is a miscarriage that occurs very early in the pregnancy process (before the 5th-week period) and almost at the time of the next menstrual bleeding. Chemical pregnancies are considered to be responsible for approximately 8-33% of all miscarriage pregnancies. In in vitro fertilization (in vitro fertilization) applications, this rate varies between 18-22%.
What Causes Chemical Pregnancy?
Chemical pregnancy is a false pregnancy condition or a false positive pregnancy test result. It is not an event. Chemical pregnancy occurs long before the fetus can be observed on ultrasonography, and the causes of chemical pregnancy may be due to genetic factors. When the causes of chemical pregnancy are examined, the most common cause is chromosomal abnormalities.
What are the Symptoms of Chemical Pregnancy?
While the symptoms of chemical pregnancy can vary from person to person, some women may go through this process without being aware of the symptoms. In this situation, which occurs in the very early stages of pregnancy, the symptoms that occur during pregnancy do not occur. Symptoms that may occur in the presence of chemical pregnancy can be summarized as follows:
- Mild abdominal pain,
- A positive pregnancy test turns negative after a short time,
- Menstrual bleeding mild severity one week before the expected time,
- Vaginous after positive pregnancy test Bleeding from blood,
- A low level of hCG hormone in blood tests. Due to the low level of pregnancy hormone in chemical pregnancies, early pregnancy symptoms such as fatigue and nausea are not expected in people. Although chemical pregnancy does not cause any negative effects physically on the body of the person, it can wear out the person a little emotionally. Although a chemical pregnancy does not physically cause any negative effects on the person's body, it can wear out the person a little emotionally. Regardless of when the pregnancy process ends, even the loss of a pregnancy at the beginning stage is a situation that can result in deep sadness for the person.
How to Understand a Chemical Pregnancy?
Gestational sac in chemical pregnancies It cannot reach the size that can be seen in ultrasonography, so blood tests are used to understand chemical pregnancy. In the case of clinical pregnancy, in addition to observing the heartbeat of the fetus, different from chemical pregnancy, various pregnancy structures can be detected. In some chemical pregnancies, the level of hCG hormone in the blood may be well below the detectable level. In some chemical pregnancies, a decrease in the hormone level initially measured occurs over time. In cases of clinical pregnancy, the hCG hormone is both detectable and increases over time.
When Does Chemical Pregnancy Occur?
Chemical pregnancy can always happen, but various factors can develop this condition. It should be conscious as it can have a facilitating effect. Advanced maternal age is an important risk factor for the development of chemical pregnancy. Since there is an increase in the risk of chromosomal abnormalities that can be seen in the fetus, especially in the pregnancies of women aged 35 and over, a predisposition to chemical pregnancy can also be mentioned. Although the effect of paternal age on the development of miscarriage has not yet been fully elucidated, various studies have indicated that the increase in paternal age may be related to the increased risk of chemical pregnancy.
In addition to the age factor, there may be an increase in the risk of chemical pregnancy in various medical conditions. Type 1 and 2 diabetes are diseases that can cause loss development in the early stages of pregnancy. In addition to diabetes, chemical pregnancy can occur in various thyroid diseases. If this gland is both overactive and has a decrease in its functions, the person is considered at risk for the development of chemical pregnancy. Obesity is another factor that can be effective in early pregnancy loss. As a result of various studies, an increase in the risk of chemical pregnancy may occur, especially in people with a body mass index of 25 and above.
Both long-term and sudden onset stress increases the risk of miscarriage in the early stages of pregnancy. In chronic (long-term) stress, this may occur due to mechanisms such as increased cortisol hormone levels, increased susceptibility to various infectious diseases, and weakened immune system. In addition to all these factors, it should not be forgotten that alcohol or substance use is among the factors that should be considered in order not to experience a chemical pregnancy.When Does Bleeding Start in Chemical Pregnancy?
Although they think that a more severe bleeding may occur due to the situation, the reality is not like this. Bleeding in a chemical pregnancy is usually at the same level as normal menstrual bleeding. The time of bleeding due to chemical pregnancy usually occurs in the form of spotting one week before the normal menstrual period. This type of bleeding has different characteristics from the bleeding that occurs after implantation (settling in the uterus).
How Many Days Is Menstrual Delayed in Chemical Pregnancy?
Delayed menstruation after chemical pregnancy is one of the topics of interest. There is no significant delay in menstruation in chemical pregnancy. The termination of this situation generally occurs one week after the normal menstrual cycle.
How is the Chemical Pregnancy Treatment?
For those who have experienced a chemical pregnancy once, this situation means that the person will have a healthy child again. It doesn't mean he can't give birth. Chemical pregnancy-style abortions Although there is no general treatment method for now, there are various helpful approaches to fulfill the pregnancy request. In people who have experienced chemical pregnancy more than once, physicians resort to various tests to clarify the underlying cause of this condition. If the underlying cause is revealed and this situation is taken under control, a decrease in the risk of experiencing a chemical pregnancy can be achieved. Therefore, in the presence of these minor changes, no medical intervention is usually required. Occurrence of chemical pregnancy does not cause any inconvenience for couples to try again to fulfill the pregnancy request.
What Should Be Considered After Chemical Pregnancy?
Pregnant after chemical pregnancy There are many individuals among the rest. Unless otherwise stated by physicians after chemical pregnancy, couples can start trying to have children again. Various studies show that even a short period of time such as 2 weeks after early pregnancy loss, the pregnancy request after chemical pregnancy can be fulfilled. At the same time, it should not be misunderstood as having a chemical pregnancy in the past may prevent the person from having children in the future. From a different perspective, chemical pregnancy indicates that the formed embryo can continue its development until the pre-implantation period. Therefore, it is possible for individuals who have had a chemical pregnancy to have a healthy pregnancy in the future. For this reason, it is very important for individuals who have had a chemical pregnancy to apply to health institutions without hesitation and get support.
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