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Pregnancy Forum > Miscarriage and Stillbirth Forum > Causes of a chemical pregnancy
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Q: Causes of a chemical pregnancy
asked by: DoctorQuestion on May 30th, 2009
I just want to know if I had a chemcial pregnancy. I had my period on 5/7 and lasted for about 5 days. The only time I had sex was few days after my period which was on 5/17, but I don't think my husband ejaculated in me, unless there was pre-cum. Then on 5/19 I started bleeding. I took a pregnancy test a couple of days after I started bleeding and it came out positive. I believe 2 days later I took another pregnancy test and it came out positive. Then I went to a women's clinic the day after and took a sensitive pregnancy test and it came out negative. Is it possible that I was pregnant and if so, did I have a chemical pregnancy? I was bleeding/spotting for almost 10 days. My actual period is not due for another week.


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Dr. Goce Aleksovski , MD
replied on June 5th, 2009
Miscarriage and Stillbirth Answer A6719


A chemical pregnancy is a term used for pregnancy detectable by early positive pregnancy tests, which ends in very early miscarriage, even before the start of the next period. Many times the woman does not even recognize that she was pregnant because the next period started as expected. The miscarriage occurred before the heartbeat could be detected on the ultrasound.


Most chemical pregnancies are due to chromosomal problems in the developing fetus. Other possible causes are inadequate uterine lining, uterine abnormalities both congenital and acquired like fibroids, low hormone levels, luteal phase defects, or certain infections.


There is no way to prevent chemical pregnancy. However, if repeated chemical pregnancies occur, genetic counseling is recommended.
According to the symptoms you reported, the possibility that you had a chemical pregnancy cannot be excluded. You might want to visit your gynecologist for further examination and follow-up about future pregnancies.




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