Are There Warning Signs of a Chemical Pregnancy?

Chemical pregnancies are surprisingly common, but they can feel confusing and heartbreaking, especially if you’ve been trying to conceive. One minute you see that faint positive line on a pregnancy test, and the next, it’s gone — leaving you questioning everything.

It’s okay to feel all the emotions. This article is here to break down the facts, ease some of the confusion, and let you know that whatever you’re feeling, it’s completely valid.

What is a chemical (or biochemical) pregnancy?

“It’s a class of pregnancy that a person registers a positive pregnancy test, whether it’s urine or bloodwork, but we can’t find the pregnancy anywhere on ultrasound,” says Dr. Phillips.

Unlike an ectopic pregnancy, which can be clearly seen via ultrasound, or a blighted ovum, which produces a gestational sac but no embryo, chemical pregnancies are only detected via a positive pregnancy test, and they tend to end very early on. In many cases, people will get what feels like a normal period very shortly after that positive pregnancy test.

“That is most commonly the scenario I encounter when people come in [with chemical pregnancies],” says Dr. Phillips. “They’ll come in and say ‘I had a positive pregnancy test, I’m here to confirm my pregnancy,' and then we’ll collect their urine here and the pregnancy test is negative. Or, they’ll say ‘I took one test and it was positive and I didn’t believe it so I took another one’ and then maybe that test is negative. Those are often the two scenarios.”

Chemical pregnancy symptoms

According to OB/GYN Kameelah Phillips, MD, nailing down warning signs of chemical pregnancies can be tough, as most of the time, women really don’t experience any physical symptoms. For many, it can feel just like a normal period, but there are a few signs that might hint at an early pregnancy loss.

• Positive pregnancy test followed by a negative: One of the most common signs is getting a faint positive pregnancy test, only for it to turn negative a few days later. This happens because your body initially produced hCG (the pregnancy hormone), but the levels quickly dropped.
• Bleeding similar to a period: This can range from light spotting to heavier bleeding, often around the time your period was due.
• Mild cramping: You might feel period-like cramps, which can be confusing.
• Dropping hCG Levels: Blood tests might show hCG levels that are low or decreasing, indicating that the pregnancy isn’t continuing.

Contrary to popular belief, a lack of pregnancy symptoms doesn’t mean an early pregnancy loss. “I think we as a society think that you have to be over a toilet barfing up every meal in order to have a ‘normal’ or ‘healthy’ pregnancy. That’s just truly not the case, and I’m trying to get people away from that thought. Yes, many people do have nausea or feel a little unwell at the beginning of pregnancy — but if you feel fine, that doesn’t mean you don’t have a normal, healthy gestation,” says Dr. Phillips.

Discharge during a chemical pregnancy

Vaginal discharge associated with a chemical pregnancy can vary. Some may notice spotting or light bleeding, often brownish or pinkish in color, occurring around the time of the expected period. This discharge results from the early loss of the implanted embryo.

If you’re unsure about any discharge or bleeding, it’s always okay to reach out to your healthcare provider.

What does chemical pregnancy bleeding look like?

Bleeding from a chemical pregnancy can look a lot like your regular period, which makes it hard to spot. Here’s what to watch for:

• Timing: It usually happens after the time you’d expect your period.
• Flow and duration: It can be slightly heavier or longer than usual.
• Color and texture: The bleeding might be bright red, dark brown, or even pinkish, sometimes with more noticeable clots than usual.

But if you are bleeding, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a chemical pregnancy. As Dr. Phillips explains: “Bleeding can happen. I know it’s unnerving [but bleeding] can happen with implantation, it can happen after intercourse, and it can happen spontaneously. Bleeding in and of itself, [should not make you] jump to conclusions. I would just see your physician [instead of assuming you’re having a pregnancy loss].”

It’s important to remember that every body is different. If something feels off, trust your instincts and reach out to a healthcare professional.

How common are chemical pregnancies?

Chemical pregnancies are more common than you might think. In fact, they account for 50-60% of all miscarriages, according to some studies — happening so early that many people don’t even realize they were pregnant.

According to a study published in Human Reproduction Update, chemical pregnancies are more likely to be detected now due to the sensitivity of modern pregnancy tests, which can pick up even the smallest amount of hCG. This means you might find out about a pregnancy loss that earlier generations wouldn’t have known about.

Knowing this doesn’t make the experience any less real or painful, but it can help to understand that you’re not alone — and that it doesn’t mean anything is wrong with you.

When does a chemical pregnancy occur?

Chemical pregnancies happen very early, usually around the week 4-5 of pregnancy, shortly after implantation. In many cases, this is before an ultrasound could even confirm the pregnancy.

You might get a faint positive on a pregnancy test and then start bleeding a few days later, which can feel like a cruel emotional rollercoaster. It’s okay to grieve this loss, even if it was brief.

Chemical pregnancy meaning: why is it called “chemical”?

The term “chemical pregnancy” can sound cold and clinical, but it simply means that an embryo implanted just enough to start producing hCG (the pregnancy hormone), but didn’t develop far enough to be seen on an ultrasound. It’s called “chemical” because it’s detected by a chemical change (hCG) in your body rather than by seeing a pregnancy on a scan.

It doesn’t make the pregnancy or the loss any less real. It doesn’t make your feelings any less valid.

Chemical pregnancy test

The only way to confirm a chemical pregnancy is through pregnancy tests and bloodwork. Here’s how it usually goes:

• Home pregnancy test: You might get a faint positive result, followed by a negative test a few days later as hCG levels drop.
• Blood tests: In the first few weeks of a healthy pregnancy, your level of hCG, the hormone that is measured on a pregnancy test, should double every 48-72 hours. A blood test can determine your hormonal levels, and if they decline or remain stable, that’s another warning sign of an early miscarriage or chemical pregnancy.
• Ultrasound: Typically, nothing will be seen on an ultrasound because the pregnancy is too early.

It's essential to consult a healthcare provider for accurate diagnosis and guidance.

Why do chemical pregnancies happen?

There’s no single answer, and that uncertainty can be one of the hardest parts. Most chemical pregnancies happen because of chromosomal abnormalities that prevent the embryo from developing properly. According to a study in Human Reproduction Update, this is the most common reason for very early pregnancy loss.

But other possible causes could include

• Hormonal imbalances: Such as low progesterone levels.
• Uterine abnormalities: Like fibroids or scar tissue.
• Infections: Certain infections can interfere with early pregnancy development.

It’s near-impossible to figure out the exact cause of an early pregnancy loss, because the embryo often gets passed without the ability to run diagnostic tests in a hospital.

What’s important to know is that none of this is your fault. It’s just biology being unfairly complicated.

What does a chemical pregnancy feel like?

Physically, it might feel like a normal period, or you might experience:

• Mild cramping: Similar to or slightly stronger than period cramps.
• Bleeding: Often like a heavier period with clots.
• No symptoms at all: Some people don’t notice anything unusual.

Emotionally, though, it can feel like the rug’s been pulled out from under you. It’s normal to feel grief, anger, or even guilt — but remember, it’s not your fault. Allow yourself to feel whatever comes up, and seek support if you need it.

Chemical pregnancy vs. blighted ovum: what’s the difference?

Both chemical pregnancies and blighted ovums are early pregnancy losses, but they’re not the same:

• Chemical pregnancy: Happens very early, before an ultrasound can detect a gestational sac. It’s confirmed by a positive pregnancy test that soon turns negative.
• Blighted ovum: A gestational sac develops but no embryo is visible on the ultrasound. It’s usually diagnosed around the 6th-8th week of pregnancy.

Whatever you’re feeling, it’s valid.

If you’re dealing with a chemical pregnancy, please know that it’s not just “one of those things” or “no big deal.” It’s a loss, and it’s okay to mourn that. Your feelings are valid, and you’re allowed to feel hurt, confused, or even hopeful for the future.

You’re not alone, and experiencing a chemical pregnancy doesn’t mean you won’t go on to have a healthy pregnancy. If you need support, reach out to trusted friends, loved ones, or a healthcare provider who can help you through this emotional journey.

And know this: as devastating as they may be, chemical pregnancies are common and don’t mean you cannot go on to have a full-term pregnancy. “Having a biochemical pregnancy does not determine your entire reproductive future,” says Dr. Phillips. And, according to the expert, suffering this type of loss doesn’t mean subsequent pregnancies won’t be healthy.

Remember, you are allowed to grieve, and you are allowed to hope. Both can coexist. And wherever you are on this journey, you are not alone.

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Tassia O'Callaghan is an experienced content writer and strategist, having written about a vast range of topics from chemical regulations to parenting, for brands like Peanut App Ltd, Scary Mommy, Tally Workspace, and Office Christmas. She's an advocate for realistic sustainable living, supporting small businesses (author of A-Z of Marketing for Small Businesses), and equity across all walks of life. Follow her on LinkedIn or TikTok, or see more of her work on Authory or her website.