[Toots216]

What exactly IS a chemical pregnancy? The reason why I am asking is bc my most recent m/c (at 5w4d) was SO different from my last one (I had seen a hb on that one and was 7 weeks along). This time, I had 2 days of (TMI) heavy, clotty bleeding and heavy AF cramps, and now it is just scant spotting. My beta last Weds, 2 days before the m/c, was only 56, and last night I got a negative HPT. The only explanation my doctor gave me was that this was "a different kind of pregnancy than the last time".

Does AF usually return right on time after a chemical? I'm starting to think that is what I had...

[OwensMommy25]

I'm sorry for your loss.
A chemical pregnancy simply means it was not seen on ultrasound usually because it was too early for a HB to be seen. After the HB has been seen it's considered a diagnosed pregnancy.
Your period could follow your loss.

[ashj_1218]

^^Sort of. I think that you can have a diagnosed pregnancy even without the HB, but they have to visualize a sac/fetal pole in the uterus to call it a diagnosable pregnancy. At least that is what my fertility doc told me. All a chemical pregnancy means is that they can't be sure where it implanted. You have blood and urine tests to tell you that you WERE pregnant. But then you lose it before you have a chance to see it on ultrasound. The only difference is there are more unknowns with a chemical.

I have found that they are very different from a "regular" miscarriage. I had a loss at 9 weeks (D & C at 12) and that one was horrible. I bled for four weeks, had all kinds of hormonal issues (mood swings, bouncing levels), and was just crushed emotionally. I found the chemical ones (I have had three now) were hard in a whole new way. They were disheartening and I felt lost afterward. As far as the bleeding...mine have always been heavy bleeding for about 5-6 days and then barely anything. And I am a really heavy bleeder anyway. So yours sounds about right. You *should* get a period pretty close to on time this next cycle, if you count the chemical bleeding as your period this time. I always ovulated and got my period at "proper" times after my chemicals (14-18CD for ov, 28-35 for period).

I am so sorry for your loss. I hate that anyone has to deal with all this heartache.

[asunflower]

I also have had several chemicals and my cycles have gone back to normal the very next month and the bleeding is really just like a period. Sorry for your loss. It is hard no matter when and how it happens and what it is called. Good luck.

[*SamF*]

Originally Posted by ashj_1218

^^Sort of. I think that you can have a diagnosed pregnancy even without the HB, but they have to visualize a sac/fetal pole in the uterus to call it a diagnosable pregnancy. At least that is what my fertility doc told me. All a chemical pregnancy means is that they can't be sure where it implanted. You have blood and urine tests to tell you that you WERE pregnant. But then you lose it before you have a chance to see it on ultrasound. The only difference is there are more unknowns with a chemical.

I have found that they are very different from a "regular" miscarriage. I had a loss at 9 weeks (D & C at 12) and that one was horrible. I bled for four weeks, had all kinds of hormonal issues (mood swings, bouncing levels), and was just crushed emotionally. I found the chemical ones (I have had three now) were hard in a whole new way. They were disheartening and I felt lost afterward. As far as the bleeding...mine have always been heavy bleeding for about 5-6 days and then barely anything. And I am a really heavy bleeder anyway. So yours sounds about right. You *should* get a period pretty close to on time this next cycle, if you count the chemical bleeding as your period this time. I always ovulated and got my period at "proper" times after my chemicals (14-18CD for ov, 28-35 for period).

I am so sorry for your loss. I hate that anyone has to deal with all this heartache.

Agree.
Chemicals happen early, there is no way to say 'what' happened for sure. It may have been anything from a blighted ovum, to a failed implantation to anything. But they are real pregnancies.
I've now had several 'chemical' pregnancies. Usually I have one day longer bleeding than I would with a normal period then my cycle stays pretty much right on track.
I agree to with the difference in feeling between the two. I have the same type of disheartening feelings and disappointment. It hurts, but seeing that HB then seeing it gone hurts a lot more. This though is going to change woman to woman. I'm sure some don't feel the difference.

[Toots216]

Thanks ladies. I don't know why, but for some reason I am more of an emotional wreck this time around. I think part of it is bc my first loss was only a little over 2 months ago? Who knows. I feel like my hormones are all over the place too - hot flashes one minute, shivering cold the next, crying spells. Ugh.

All I'm hoping for right now is for my cycle to return to normal ASAP. I think I'm going to start temping again at the end of the week just to see how things are going. It will definitely be a few months before we actively TTC again.

[Halfbaked]

I was told a chemical pregnancy is when the egg implants just long enough to produce some HCG (thus the chemical) but then for whatever reason, it doesn't progress. I had a miscarriage at 5 weeks, never saw a heartbeat, fetal pole, anything because I never had an ultrasound but it was a confirmed pregnancy and I was told it was a miscarriage, not a chemical. I've had 2 chemicals. One at 4 weeks exactly and one at 4w2d. The first chemical my HCG was only 10 when I had it checked, my second it was 47. I had a regular period after, just maybe a day or so longer.

If you were 5w4d then I wouldn't call it a chemical. You had over a week of knowing you were pregnant. My chemicals I only knew for about a day or so and although it hurt, it didn't hurt near as much as the ones where I knew I was pregnant for longer amounts of time.

[Tammyms]

I agree that at 5w4d it would be considered a miscarriage and not a chemical pregnancy. With my chemical it was one day of positive tests and the next day they were negative and I started bleeding. I didn't even have time to get betas done, and the ladies that I know who did already have a blood test scheduled in case they were late, their betas were only like 10-16.

No matter what it's considered, it's a loss and just as heartbreaking.

[ashj_1218]

Hmmm...I wonder then. Yours might not be considered a chemical. I always thought it was the ultrasound that made the difference between the two...but there might be another definition I am not aware of.

I do think that having a second loss so close to the first is harder. You were already down...and then got sucker-punched with this. I would consider it completely normal to feel very emotional and "all over the map." Give yourself plenty of time to heal. Sending your way.

[Toots216]

Yeah, this is why I was confused....I always assumed a chemical is when you get a positive preg test before AF is due, but AF arrives right on time (or close to it), and preg tests immediately go back to negative. Hopefully my dr can clear everything up for me when I have a follow up.

ALERT - another thing that confused me was that with my first m/c, I actually passed the sac, and stopped bleeding immediately afterwards. I didn't have that this time, just lots of huge clots for 2 days then just spotting, which also could be due to the fact that it was a good week and half earlier. Who knows - the only thing I know is that this whole process SUCKS.

[Erin84]

Originally Posted by Halfbaked

I was told a chemical pregnancy is when the egg implants just long enough to produce some HCG (thus the chemical) but then for whatever reason, it doesn't progress.

...

If you were 5w4d then I wouldn't call it a chemical. You had over a week of knowing you were pregnant.

That's how I've heard a "chemical" described, too. I'm sorry you're going through all of this