Readers Respond: The Experience of Chemical Pregnancy

Have you had a very early miscarriage that was referred to as a chemical pregnancy? Please share your thoughts on the experience here. Did you grieve the loss deeply, or was it fairly easy to move on? Did you share the news of your miscarriage with friends and relatives, and if so, how did they react?

Chemical pregnancy

This article really seems to explain what has happened with my fiance and I! 3 months ago I had a very faint positive on multiple pregnancy tests. We were a little scared but, getting used to the idea that we were going to have a baby. I tested first time on a Friday & again throughout the weekend. On the next Monday I tested again &, this test didn't even show the faint positive line. I was confused. The next day I started my period. We have been trying since then and have had two months with no conception. This month I have had several "faintly" positive pregnancy tests again. I'm not even supposed to start my period for three more days. I am starting to worry the same thing will happen again because the lines are not getting any darker & indicating that the levels of HCG are rising. Now I'm trying to read up on anything I might be able to do to help prevent it from happening the next time around if we don't maintain this pregnancy. I'm 36 & my fiance is 40.

—Guest JCoate

Only 2 days, why?

My husband & I found out this past Saturday we were expecting another baby.. I had a + test on Sat. & Sun. This morning I woke up with bleeding & horrible cramps so I went to the ER. The doctor said he couldn't find anything about a pregnancy that my hCG levels were at a 5. I had the same "pregnancy" feelings as I did my first child. I'm not sure exactly what happened. The doc said it was nothing but I'm positive it was a chemical pregnancy. From all the research I've done, drs. can't be that reliable & you have to a LOT of research to figure out what is REALLY going on.

—Guest SW12

Timing wasn't right

I assume I'm having a miscarriage at the moment. I had a faint positive a few days ago (before period dye) and began spotting the next day. Then yesterday I passed what looked like a brown jelly bean. Mire spotting followed, and today I am losing dark brown stringy stuff and bright red blood, which is all pretty light at the moment. I have a beautiful 11 month girl, who was born 27 weeks in a traumatic spontaneous natural labour, following an awful pregnancy where I was 3 times hospitalised due to dehydration and malnourishment from Hyperemesis. In short, I'm relieved as I am not mentally or emotionally ready to risk going through that again just yet. I didn't even realise how much I hadn't got over all of this until I saw the faint positive. I am not overjoyed to be miscarrying, in fact I am a little numb. This may seem cold but I wanted to represent another experience. If this had happened 1st time round I would have been devastated. I do however suspect I probably have feelings which I am refusing to acknowlege.

—Guest Once blessed

Lost Arman at 5 week 5 days

Arman would have been the name of our baby. I believed that he would have been our baby boy. Yes, it's true that it has been the worst, cruel joke ever. We got married in March 2010 and only tried to conceive late June when I calculated my fertile days. So when the test kit came up + with faint lines - we were thrilled as it was our first try, our first baby. But now, Arman is gone. I can never get to see his face or become his mummy. I hope God will give us another chance and make up for this loss that we had now. It's painful when the people close to us tried to understand could never understand what we are going through. I thought hubby was strong but even he cried too. I pray for strength to get over Arman's death.

—Guest Arman's mummy

Surprised at my reaction

This happened to me last fall. I was feeling different than usual around the time I was to have my period and felt a slight pinching feeling on my lower right side. Period was late. Boobs were very sore actually. I reluctantly took a home pregnancy test and it came back positive. I was floored. My bf and I hadn't planned on this for another 2 yrs. I stressed out a lot about it, from a financial perspective. Next day took another test, also positive. It's funny how immediately I started eating differently (I was actually taking better care of myself, lol)... Then a week later I get my period... the cramps were PAINFUL.. I was also surprised at how sad I was. Seeing as I really felt it wasn't the right time for us, I was conflicted with a mixture of "whew!" and "why?" My bf didn't understand at all. But it was really weird to explain as I was finally getting used to the idea. I was even talking to my stomach throughout the week. I guess only another woman would get it :/ The baby would have been due a week ago. I can't imagine that. In the end I do think it wasn't the right time... But as others have said, it doesn't take away from that feeling of loss. It was an eye opener because I thought I 100% knew what I wanted. Funny how this puts things into perspective.

—Guest Conflicted

4 chemical pregs in 2 years

I understand everyone's pain. I had 2 miscarriages in 2008 and 2 in 2009 all ending before 5 weeks, never confirmed by a doctor, just by the preg tests. I loved being pregnant even if it was only for those few short weeks, just want my baby I should of had ages ago. xx

—Guest sarah

1st and hopefully last

I had my first IUI done on May 9th and then had a second IUI on May 10th. Went on holidays during the 2ww, got tested on May 25th, positive with hcg of 44, re-tested May 27th and hcg of 15. Chemical pregnancy!!! I hate it. I was born ready to be a mom, everyone around me seems to get pregnant without any problems, but yet I have to go through this. It's a horrible feeling. I can't wait to my next IUI but I know that I will be very nervous that this will happen again. What makes it worse is people saying that it's not even a real pregnancy. I did blood tests and home pregnancy test, and they were positive...that to me means I was pregnant, even if it was only a short time. I feel good knowing that I can get pregnant but still doesn't change the fact that I lost one. I hope all of us hear get our good news soon!

—Guest Want a baby!

Wish I didn't know

I had not planned to get pregnant but still thought it was a blessing when I tested and found out I was. Yesterday I went to the doctor and found out I had miscarried already. My boyfriend overjoyed at the fact he was not going to be a father had no sympathy what so ever for me about the situation and now thinks it is a sign we should not see each other anymore. I am devastated at the fact I feel like I lost something I never really had. I honestly wish I had never found out I was pregnant.

—Guest Stacie

I understand how everyone feels

I wish somebody could tell me what's going on. My hcg levels have dropped.

—Guest kimberle williams

It's hard...

I had one at 5 weeks :( just about a month ago. I have a fantastic OB-gyn who told me to keep the appointment that I had made with her for the pregnancy so that she can help me by talking things over with me and explaining everything to me. My fantastic doctor was by far the best emotional help I had for this loss.

—LMS794

Chemical pregnancy

I went to see my family doctor for the sudden stomach and intestinal pain. He told me that I got some food virus. Somehow, he had my urine tested and it was positive for pregnancy. I was surprised. I am a mother of 2 kids (10 and 7) and did not plan to have more. Then I took the blood test and a home pregnancy test. All are positive. I counted and thought it was conceived 11 days ago. Then 6 days later, my period was on as normal. Actually my period was NOT late, but 1-2 days earlier.

—Guest a mother

No Fun

I had 5 positive pregnancy tests, one digital. That was 8 days ago. Today I got a period. I have 2 kids and wasn't trying for another so I'm suprised how painful this is. I think I will try for another eventually now. Good luck to everyone else, its rough, but seems like it happens to us all.

—Guest Wendy

Crying for a weekend

Had implantation spotting 1wk before time... then period late... tests were positive and I was SO happy. 33 and first positive pregnancy test. 1wk later, bleeding and gone. I am gutted. I had a year planned out and it has been taken away.

—Guest Guest gutted

Second miscarriage at 42

I have two children, one from a previous marriage. We had a miscarriage at 6.5 weeks last January 2009. As I am getting older, we started our first round of IVF and found out I was pregnant on Monday, but the numbers for day 28 were a dismal 10. Got my second blood results back today and we are no longer pregnant. Husband is working second shift right now and cannot accept calls, so I am dealing with this myself for a bit. Its is so painful and such a cruel joke! I wish we waited just a few days with the blood test and we never would have known that we were pregnant. At my age, miscarriage is very likely, but we will try again. Hang in there. I feel your pain...

—jackiegolden

Not crazy!

Thanks so much for this article. I wasn't sure if I was crazy. We just started TTC and I tested early. So when my body was having clear and distinct pregnancy symptoms it seemed like everything was matching up. then just a week or so after the faint positive lines I'm having severe cramping and major bleeding. I started to wonder was I wrong? Was my period just late? thank you for letting me know I am not psycho... I was embarrased that we told people and then I was sad because I was POSITIVE I was pregnant. this was wonderful information to find. Thank you!

—megajamama