What is a Chemical Pregnancy?
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- Katie Lee is a certified genetic counselor with 7+ years of practice in reproductive medicine. She has worked for one of the most well-known IVF clinics in the United States and a laboratory that offers fertility-related genetic testing. She is currently employed by one of the largest sperm banks in the US. Katie started this UA-cam channel to support people going through fertility treatment and miscarriages. On this channel Katie discusses topics in fertility/preconception genetic counseling and her own personal experience with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss.
Check out Katie Lee's website and fertility and miscarriage-related digital downloads here: www.katieleecg...
You can find her relevant blog posts here: www.katieleecg...
Today Katie discussed chemical pregnancies, also called biochemical pregnancies.
If you are reading this because you or a loved one recently experienced a chemical or biochemical pregnancy loss, I am so sorry. I have experienced 5 miscarriages including one chemical pregnancy. Everyone experiences losses differently, but any pregnancy loss can take a significant emotional toll including chemical pregnancies.
My name is Katie Lee and I am a certified genetic counselor specializing in reproductive medicine. When I had miscarriages, I had a lot of questions about how and why they happened. This week I am sharing videos on biochemical pregnancies. Please subscribe and follow me on Instagram if you want to see more content on fertility, miscarriages, and infertility treatment.
A biochemical or chemical pregnancy occurs when a pregnancy test is positive initially, but it doesn’t progress into a clinical pregnancy. This is a loss that occurs in about the first five weeks of pregnancy. Shortly after the positive pregnancy test, people experiencing a chemical pregnancy will typically get their period.
A clinical pregnancy is a pregnancy that is visualized, either on ultrasound or after a miscarriage when the tissue from the loss is examined by a doctor/pathologist. So essentially, a biochemical pregnancy, is one where in spite of the beta hCG test being “positive”, the pregnancy fails to progress to the point of ultrasound confirmation human chorionic gonadotrophic hormone or HCG is released by an early developing pregnancy
This means a chemical pregnancy is an early pregnancy loss or miscarriage. The pregnancy does not progress to the point where a gestational sack is visualized on ultrasound. It is called a chemical pregnancy, since the it is diagnosed only by chemical means. In contrast, a so-called clinical pregnancy is characterized by the fact that it has reached a stage where the gestation can be seen on ultrasound examination. Because chemical pregnancies happen at an early stage, they typically resolve on their own. Unlike later stage miscarriages, medical treatment such as prescriptions or procedures are not required. That being said, it is important to contact your doctor if you think you are experiencing a loss of any type, so you can be evaluated.
Unfortunately, chemical pregnancies are incredibly common. There is nothing you did to cause this loss and there is nothing you could have done to stop it from happening. Even though chemical losses are common, they can still be devastating. Depending on your TTC journey, the loss of a very much wanted baby can hit hard. If you are struggling, I recommend that you speak with your support people including your family friends and medical professionals like your OB/GYN, primary care provider or therapist. If you want to learn more about causes of chemical pregnancies and how common they are check out my other videos.
I just experienced my first chemical pregnancy loss and it's been rough, my family have been so supportive and my husband has been my rock. Find support, there is comfort in knowing you are NOT alone! Love ya'll.❤
Hi Valerie. I'm so sorry for your loss. What an amazing family and husband you have. Hang in there.
I just had a chemical pregnancy loss jun 23,2023of this year happen two months ago 😭😭😭really heart broken
I have 2 posotive PT but after getting them i have bleeding and I'm still having it something came out could it be chemical pregnancy
I’ve had 4 back to back chemical pregnancies and was so devastated every time! I’ve been Trying to conceive for years now and it’s difficult but I have faith and will keep trying! Thanks for the video it was very informative I appreciate it! Blessings 🥰
When you have a chemical do the test turn negative right after?
Praying for you!!! ❤
Have you ever gotten tested to why this continues to happen ?
Praying for you❤️🩹
@@Yorkielover941mine did..yes
Can’t stop crying because we’ve been trying for so long so when I found out, I was so happy! I was planning on an exciting way to tell my husband but had a feeling to test again even though I’ve tested numerous times. Doesn’t make me feel better that this is common but I’m thankful that I wasn’t further along with a loss, I cannot imagine what that’s like. I’m heartbroken for all women who experience that. Hugs to all.
I just had a chemical pregnancy and it would have been my first pregnancy. My parents and boyfriend have been so supportive during this time.
I have had more chemicals than I can count and the only way I could keep a pregnancy was to start high dose of progesterone a few days after ovulation. Without, I’ve always miscarried whether it’s chemical or later. Love and support to all going through this.
I have already had two kids and am trying for a third. I just had my second chemical in a row a few days ago. I’m trying to remember that I’m so grateful for my two kids. I got through the first one saying this happens to a lot of people and I still have a chance. The second one gutted me. I’m trying to be ok and shove it to the back of my head, but I am so so sad if I let it bubble to the top. I do t want people to know how sad I really am.
I had multiple positive pregnancy tests before my period was past due than I started cramping and bleeding I got a negative test 24 hours later. My boyfriend thought the tests were false positives. I felt so alone and sad. My body was clearly going through something i was breaking out every where and I would have bouts of the blues for about a week and a half. Not to mention the random crying fits 😢
I am so sorry to hear that you have gone through this MarMar. It can be so isolating, especially because partners and family who haven't been through it struggle to understand. Hang in there.
im going thru same as you today as today was suppose to be my period due date but my bbt has dropped today and im feeling so much cramps with backaches and i had very strong positives i even got booked for my first appointment in coming march 😭😭 i havent started bleeding yet but my feeling is i have a early misscarrige 😭
@@afrahasad7146 I am so sorry I will pray for you
My very first pregnancy after struggling with fertility was a chemical pregnancy. What happened was never explained to me so im glad i know now. This happened 13 years ago.
I wish we all received more education about how our bodies work and different types of pregnancy loss- especially when they happen. It is really a shocking experience. What happened next in your fertility journey?
That intro song is outrageous
I had one and felt like I was crazy . I seen two test positive line and then just straight negative a week later. I started having a heavy flow 5 days later. I feel very stupid for telling my friend. I feel like they think I wasn’t pregnant even though I had proof. It sucks feeling like having a chemical pregnancy isn’t normal.can we find a way to normalize it?
yea that's exactly how i feel and i feel like some ppl think u lying or crazy as well that makes the experience even worse
Was a excited to have are first child, unfortunately I received the bad news this morning, my wife is distressed, 6 years in the making, I can’t understand why.. please lord give us a chance 🙏
I miscarried 9 week twins in January, after months of trying I was two weeks late, i took 4 pregnancy tests in 4 days all were positive but the lines from day 1-4 became more faint by each day. I was exhausted and feeling how I felt with my first pregnancy. I called my ob and made my appointments, after I made my appointments I started feeling back pain and within a few days I had lost all of my symptoms, later that week I started bleeding and it was very different. I called my doctor and the day after the bleeding started they sent me for blood work, the nurse said I most likely had a chemical pregnancy which they don’t technically consider a pregnancy and the doctor said I had no hcg so there may have not been any signs of pregnancy. I then spoke to the nurse and doctor and asked why I had four positives in four days the week of my missed period and she told me I must have had bad tests and they must have been from the same box which they weren’t, I explained that and she said I don’t know and ended the conversation. Does this make sense? I’m so confused I was so late and had 4 positives and 3 weeks after missed period is when I started bleeding and then there were no more positives, was this a chemical pregnancy?
How do you know they were twins then ?
@@reinemazidath5466??? 🤔
@@reinemazidath5466😂😂😂no comment
I think the twins were prior to her experience that she's talking about
I've just had a chemical pregnancy and I'm heartbroken. I thought it was too good to be true that I had conceived in my first cycle of trying. :(
The same happened to me to to good to be true. Hopefully God will give us our miracle 🙏
@@sanjas697 I’m so sorry. If it gives you any hope, I am now 7 months pregnant, you’re more fertile after a chemical pregnancy. Sending you love and baby dust ❤️
@@ConnorCow1298wow congratulations
@@omoiguipromise8109 thank you so much ❤️
Going through this at the moment 🥺 really sad…
I just had my first chemical pregnancy. My pregnancy test are negative but I still haven’t bled yet.
My girl friend did FET and HCG showed she is pregnant. At week 6 doctor did ultra sound and there was no sac, doctor confirmed its a miscarriage. She got pregnant first time after 11 years but failed
I’m currently experiencing a chemical pregnancy. No trace of baby in the ultrasound image, low hcg levels and all of a sudden my breasts stopped hurting and I’ve been bleeding lightly for two days now
I’ve had many positives but they aren’t getting any darker. I’m not bleeding or cramping but I’m afraid I’m in the early stages of a chemical happening
Hello love. I’m curious to know if you were okay ??? Mine went the same … and currently, I’m not okay 😞. I hope you are ❤
I have had two chemical pregnancy, and I feel so bad losing it
I suspect my initial pregnancy test was just a false positive. I started bleeding and cramping like a period today so I went to the er to see if I miscarried. They tested my blood and found ZERO hCG. My positive test was only a week ago and I had just started bleeding this morning. I would’ve still had some hCG in my blood if I was actually pregnant before today or even if it were a Chemical pregnancy. Extremely disappointed and frustrated at the Clear Blue electronic test that read a false positive.
What advice would you have in next steps for someone who experienced their 3rd loss. One full term loss, one 11 week missed miscarriage and one blighted ovum. I just miscarried on Saturday at almost 6 weeks along and I have no idea what to think or do next. I’m still hopeful though
Aw, Briana I am so sorry to hear about all three of your losses. After three losses you meet the definition for a person who has experience recurrent pregnancy loss, it is definitely time to see a reproductive endocrinologist for a full evaluation to see if they can find a treatable cause for the losses. I would just google your city name and reproductive endocrinologist. I would read reviews and search for a physician who is board certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. You can self-refer or make an appointment with most REs yourself. I have a few videos that explain the work up for recurrent pregnancy loss. I am thinking of you. hang in there.
Hi! I have a close friend who is struggling finding out if she has a baby. It’s been 4 months with no symptoms whatsoever, but the pregnancy test comes out positive.. she hasn’t scheduled any doctors appointments, but are chemical pregnancies possible at 4months?
I got pregnant in December last year, miscarried 5 weeks 6 days (blighted ovum) in January. Last day of my period was 3 days ago and I felt weird so I took a test today and it said pregnant.
Help.
What happened? Are you actually pregnant
@@JahDéPage yea it was a chemical pregnancy, I bled for 12 days and the bleeding stopped and me and my husband are workin on another baby
I’m literally having g this happen right now. Miscarried last month at 5.5 weeks. Got pregnant right away and am now having a chemical at 4 weeks
Is it possible that i get a light faint line on the upt kit but in beta hcg test(blood test) didnt show up positive ?, also at the same time when i got my period i was having the worst period evet which had so much clotting and pain as if i was having literal contractions.
I was having harmonal imbalance at the same time and wad having progestrone supplement so i dont know yet that was ít exactly. Its been almost a year and i still think about it and feel helpless
I had 2 babies and my 3 pregnancy I had a chemical pregnancy. I never lost a baby before it hurt my hurt. I have 2 boys maybe this was my girl .😢
Same. One healthy boy and I really am wondering the ifs. I hope you’re feeling better ❤.
Thankyou so much for this info that I needed to know... I've been bleeding since after my positive blood test and hpt.. And I went In today for the bleeding and they said it could be a eptopic pregnancy? Like wtf.. Got another blood test today to see the hcg levels went up but at this point I feel like it's a chemical pregnancy also I Never got to see a ges sac.. They kept saying I probably could be too early too.. Ugh.. Thankyou so much.. 🙏 God bless..
I am so sorry that you are going through this Bella. It is seriously such a jarring and shocking experience. And it's hard when you just have to wait and see what's happening as there is no test or imaging that can tell you what is going on so early in pregnancy. I have hated being on that rollercoaster ride. I am thinking of you.
@@katieleecgctalksmiscarriage hi.. So it was a chemical pregnancy for sure... Today I finally stopped bleeding 😩😔
@@bellarose1866 Aww I am sorry to hear this Bella. I am glad the bleeding has stopped and understand how sad the time is following a pregnancy loss.
Hii Mam ,
I am having 19990 hcg values in 3rd /4th week.Can u specify if that is also a abnormal pregnancy I have still not got my periods.
Just had same experience 😢
Do the test turn negative after right after the chemical?
Hey Kelsey, they should eventually turn negative, but this can take days to a week or so,
is there a need for a DNC if the result of Pregnancy test is negative?
I had a CP in July. It was our second cycle trying. Well, now we’re on our fourth cycle and I have a bfn at 12 dpo, so I’m out.
I see so many stories of women conceiving the cycle immediately after their CP. now that I’ve had 2 more cycles and didn’t conceive, how worried should I be? Im terrified something is very wrong.
I have an almost 8 year old son who I conceived on our third month trying in 2014.
I just had a chemical pregnancy 😢😢😢😢🥹🥹🥹
I just experienced my first chemical pregnancy.. on December 1, 2023(my moms birthday) I found out I was pregnant a few days later I did another pregnancy test and it was negative then I went to do blood work. And I no longer had a baby in me. I told my family we was all excited everyone else just looks at it as a “false positive” but it hits hard when you’re the one that experienced everything with your own body. It’s recent it will always be on my mind specially when it was going to be my first baby… my heart goes out to those that had a loss.. all we can do is be strong..😓❤️🩹