Chemical pregnancy question...

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2003
Chemical pregnancy question...
9
Thu, 07-24-2003 - 1:48pm
I was reading about chemical pregnancies yesterday after hearing someone mention the term on this board. Apparently they're really quite common, but in the "old days" before such sensitive HPTs existed people just never knew they had them.

My question is, does anyone know how long you should wait before the danger of a chemical pregnancy has passed? I know I'll probably want to test early (I'm both excited and impatient about everything in life!), but I'm wondering if it maybe I'll wait longer so I don't get a positive that then just disappears. That must be just horrible.

So does anyone know? Should you wait to test until you're a week late? A few days late? Any idea?

Thanks!

Kristin TTC #1

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-23-2003
Thu, 07-24-2003 - 2:06pm
Hi just thought i would reply as i had one too there is no safe time to wait as it is not really considered a miscarriage so you can just carry on trying to concieve.

Chemical pregnancies are not very common which would explain why not everyone knows about them, some doctors wont even acknowledge one, well mine didnt but he couldnt explain why a blood test showed hcg one day and not the next. so in my experience no matter how hard it is you can just carry on trying as if it never happened even though in the back of your mind it will be there.

As for testing i still tested early next time got another faint positive which was there the next day and the next and i am now 9 weeks pregnant good luck and try not to worry as they dont happen very often.

debbie
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2003
Thu, 07-24-2003 - 2:29pm
m/c ment

Chemical pregnancy and miscarriage are essentially the same thing. Some people are uncomfortable saying m/c so it's an easier way of dealing with it to call it a chemical pg. Someone may have a different opinion, but I have had two early m/c's (or chem pg) and my Dr has said that they are common, and after being on the board for as long as I have I will tell you I have seen alot of them here too. I think it's very important for it to be acknowledged....don't not test for fear of it. It is very important for you to know what is going on with your body. Both of my m/c's occured within 2 weeks of AFNW-just days after BFP. Your Dr needs to know about this to address any issues if it is an ongoing occurance. It may be indicative of a problem- for instance I am undergoing cycle monitering this cycle to determine if low progesterone or insufficient uterin lining could be the cause of my problems. They can happen for no reason inparticular, but I think it's good to know. You are totally right in that they have always been in exhistance, but many women who are not TTC and testaholics like many of us here don't even know they've had one, they just think that AF was late showing. You need to look at the positive- yes it is a loss, and it is upsetting....but it tells you that you are ovulating, the sperm are getting to the egg and penetrating and you are *almost* there! Everything's in good working order and the chances of a *sticky* BFP in the cycle following is increased by 50% (again according to my Dr)


I hope this is of some help!

(((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Tara

 

 Tara~ co-cl of Pregnant after TTC

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Thu, 07-24-2003 - 3:32pm
I agree 100% with Tara on this one. I was believed to have had a chemical pregnancy this past cycle...tested very faint positive on the day of AFNW, the next day my temps slowly started to decrease and I got a BFN. Still, my period had not come, by this time I was four days late...(and I'm never late), and finally, AF came with a vengeance this past Monday morning. Now I will reiterate what my doctor told me on the phone: the only thing that makes that second line appear, no matter how faint, is HCG in the blood, the only women that have HCG are the pregnant ones! He told me chemical pregnancies are VERY common. It's just that they happen so fast, most women don't realize they had them. I had a very active cycle last cycle, I had an HSG done, and then I apparently had a chemical pregnancy. I am hoping that C11 is my lucky one, actually, I know it will be my lucky one. Good luck to you...don't be afraid. As horrible as it is, at least I know things are "working" in there! I was almost there, this month it will be a sticky BFP-I just know it!

Danielle, 28, TTC#1, C11, CD4, HSG performed in C10

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2003
Thu, 07-24-2003 - 3:36pm
Thanks for the advice Tara! I was torn because on the one hand I would want to know -- I'm one of those "life begins at conception" people, and I just think it would be nice to know if a little soul had been there, if even briefly. But on the other hand, I get really emotional and I thought maybe I could spare myself some pain by waiting to test.

But I think you're right, for medical reasons it probably does make sense to test so that I know what's going on in my body.

You're so great -- thanks for all the help!

(((HUGS)))

Kristin

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-2003
Thu, 07-24-2003 - 4:22pm
Hi All,

I am new to this site but have been on other fertility boards. Just in addition Chemical pregnancy is quite common and has happened to me twice. Apart from the BFP suddenly changing to BFN. On both ocassions Af came with a lot of pains and lots of blood than my regular AF

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2003
Thu, 07-24-2003 - 5:58pm
Kristen, that was a very good questions. I have been trying to decide what I wanted to do the next time AF is late. I had a m/c at five weeks last month. I also believe life starts at the time of conception, so emotional I was not sure what I was going to do. I was thinking the less I know the better. After reading everyones posts I have now made up my mind. I will test the next time I'm late. Thanks for all the advice and opinions.

Amanda

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-04-2003
Thu, 07-24-2003 - 6:33pm
HI...I also had a chemical pg in the beginning of June...I didn't go to the Dr for it, for it was just like a late period..just a little heavier a more painful...I brought it up to my Dr on the 15th of this month at my yearly, and she said it was probably just an early m/c and since it was so early, that there was nothing they could've done if I had went in...I believe I am experiencing another one, or it's just a late period (two days..) I didn't get a BFP or anything, but its a pretty painfull AF...

Anyway, thought I would just give my two cents. And I agree with Tara...don't be afraid to test...

www.fertilityfriend.com/home/26651

vanessa

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Registered: 05-25-2003
Thu, 07-24-2003 - 6:52pm
Funny you should mention this today...I just found out I had one today. I had tested several times over the weekend, faint positive. Went for blood test Monday-levels 5 mlu, negative. AF hadn't shown still this morning so I tested-got a second line only to look down as soon as I took the test and there was AF! I went for another BT this morning to find out what is going on. Nurse said probably a chemical pg. VERY bad cramping today, although I normally get bad cramping this is horrible! But I agree, I'd rather know that we have timing, etc. down and that maybe there was just an issue with this one fertilized egg. If it is re-occuring then I know what the issue is and don't have to guess if I am ovulating, his sperm is okay, our timing is right, etc.

Take Care,

Jen

TTC#1 C2.5 D1

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2003
Thu, 07-24-2003 - 11:01pm
Jen, I'm so sorry to hear this very thing happened to you today! How awful. I hope you're feeling better and the cramping has eased a little. You sound very strong -- I admire your clear and rational thinking. I hope things go MUCH better for you next time around.

Thanks so much to everyone who responded. I wasn't sure what to do, but now I think I'd like to know if it ever happens to me. I think it's good to know.

You guys are so great.

(((HUGS))) to all, especially Jen.

Kristin

TTC #1

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