A week ago I took a pregnancy test around 6:00 AM, when my whole house was quiet, and to my great shock, I saw two pink lines. I woke up Mr. Cotton Candy to tell him the news, and then it was on with our day…we had a ton of cleaning and organizing to do before picking up Mr. Cotton Candy’s parents at the airport early that evening. After a busy and fun four days of celebrating Christmas early with Mr. CC’s family, I got my period…I immediately started Googling and realized what was happening: I’d just had a chemical pregnancy.
What is a chemical pregnancy?
I’d heard the term “chemical pregnancy” before but hadn’t really thought about what it meant. According to Very Well…
“[T]he term ‘chemical pregnancy’ refers only to an early pregnancy loss and not the early stages of a viable pregnancy. In a chemical pregnancy, the hCG levels never rise very high and the woman usually begins to have bleeding less than a week after having a positive pregnancy test. Doctors believe that chemical pregnancies never fully implant properly and they suspect that most involve chromosomal abnormalities.”
I’d actually noticed some changes that I thought were early pregnancy symptoms: tender breasts, fatigue, bloating. I took a pregnancy test that was negative, and then four days later I got the positive test. Four days after that, I got my period, just seven days late.
Is a chemical pregnancy a miscarriage?
Yes, technically, but the chemical pregnancy was very different from the first-trimester miscarriage I had in 2010. My only symptoms with the chemical pregnancy were a massive headache and stiffness in my shoulders for a couple of days before I got my period (though that also could be ascribed to the nasty cold I’m currently battling), and a bit of cramping (which felt like your average menstrual cramps).
To contrast, when I had a miscarriage at around eight weeks pregnant in 2010, I suffered with severe cramps, intense bleeding, and passing large blood clots. Also, the emotional impacts of that experience were much more intense. Right before and during my miscarriage I was extremely distressed; just after, I was depressed. Post chemical pregnancy, I just feel a bit bummed that this one didn’t take. However, I can imagine for people who have been trying longer that a chemical pregnancy can be a source of intense disappointment and sadness.
When can you start trying to conceive after a chemical pregnancy?
According to various sites I have looked at, the advice from doctors varies from “you can try again right away” to “you should wait one to two cycles to try again.” If you experience a chemical pregnancy and are not sure when to begin TTC again, I would recommend talking to your doctor.
. . . . .
Although overall my chemical pregnancy was pretty much physically just like having a late period, the timing of it was difficult. Because the entire four days we thought we were pregnant we were also hosting Mr. Cotton Candy’s family, the two of us never had a private moment to process the pregnancy together and enjoy it. (Not to mention how awkward it was trying to take a second pregnancy test in my son’s bathroom without anyone in the house catching me, haha.) We were both so looking forward to getting to have a few moments together to talk about the future and be excited together, but we never got that. In hindsight, perhaps it was a blessing; if the pregnancy was never going to be viable, it’s better that it ended so quickly rather than at a later point once the fetus had developed more.
Now that the holidays are winding down, Mr. Cotton Candy and I are ready to move ahead and keep trying for baby number two in the new year. We are hopeful and excited.
Have you experienced a chemical pregnancy? What was it like for you?
blogger / apricot / 439 posts
Our first surrogate suffered a chemical pregnancy with our embryo and it was devastating. She was taking HPTs every day and excitedly sending us pictures and I noticed early on that the second line was lightening every day rather than darkening. I’m so sorry for your loss and I hope you find some quiet time with Mr. Cotton Candy.
Also, for what it’s worth, our doctors tracked her HCG after the chemical and wouldn’t start a new cycle until it was all the way down to zero. But other than that, they had no restrictions for trying again right away.
blogger / clementine / 985 posts
I’m sorry you had to experience that.
All of my losses were early – I think only one would be considered a clinical pregnancy – but they crushed me, maybe because they kept happening. Sending you lots of love!
apricot / 491 posts
I had a chemical pregnancy in November. It was recommended to wait a cycle before trying again, so we were planning to wait until January to try, but I got a BFP in December! Praying this goes well and we have a healthy baby!
hostess / wonderful grape / 20803 posts
I’m very sorry for your loss. I’ve had 5 chemical pregnancies and the cumulative effect of all of them has been very upsetting. Wishing you all the best.
guest
I just went through a chemical pregnancy in October and have also experienced a miscarriage back in 2014 (around 8 weeks). Both were absolutely devastating, just in different ways. I consider both of them to be losses and will always remember two babies I did not get to have. We are currently TTC #2 and I pray that I don’t have to experience any more loss.
blogger / cherry / 222 posts
I am sorry for your loss and the term learning timing. I had a very similar experience to you. I have had one chemical pregnancy and two miscarriages around eight weeks and for me the two were also very different. Even though they were only a few weeks later, the later miscarriages were so much harder physically and emotionally.
pomelo / 5866 posts
I had a chemical pregnancy but released lots of clots and cramping. Definitely felt the loss emotionally. I do not think the impact was minimized because it was early. I started bleeding two days after home pregnancy test confirmed it. I too had a massive headache Now wondering about the big differences in experiences of people.
guest
I’ve had three chemical pregnancies. In the end I had my progesterone levels tested and it was determined my losses were due to low progesterone. Overall a very simple fix, clomid to ensure that I would ovulate again (low progesterone can also indicate near ovulation) and progesterone tablets until second trimester
In the end it was the book ‘Taking Charge of Your Fertility’ that was most helpful in pointing out low progesterone symptoms.
Personally the losses weren’t devastating just disappointing and now that our son is here I’m so glad he’s the one who ‘stuck’
I was pregnant on the first cycle of trying and our little guy was born in July. I should also mention that this was also our second baby so we knew my body could get pregnant and stay pregnant!
Best wishes as you continue.
blogger / cherry / 142 posts
@Mrs. Starfish: @mrsmacandcheese: @winniebee: @shayava: @Mrs. Washi Tape: @808love: I’m so sorry for your losses.
@pmerr: I'm sorry for your loss and sending lots of sticky vibes for your baby!
nectarine / 2115 posts
I had one chemical pregnancy that I know about (I suspect I had one other early loss). It was after over a year of ttc and I was devastated. At the time I struggled with feeling guilty over my grief… after all, I had barely been pregnant. Someone reminded me that a loss is a loss, and gave me permission to grieve mine. So grateful for that! I now have two children, but I still think about the baby-that-wasn’t.