Stopped By A Biochemical Pregnancy
Women or couples who choose the in vitro fertilization (IVF) journey may encounter a biochemical pregnancy. A biochemical pregnancy is a very early miscarriage. Pregnancy hormones briefly rise, but pregnancy fails before an ultrasound can detect a gestational sac, typically around the 5th week of gestation. This type of pregnancy is only detected through biochemical means, such as blood or urine tests. For IVF patients, a biochemical pregnancy can be a frustrating experience. After going through each step and achieving a positive pregnancy test, getting this unfortunate news can be devastating. There is always a reason for IVF failure, and biochemical pregnancy is no exception. Understanding the cause of biochemical pregnancies can help clinics adjust medication and patients to be better prepared for the next cycle.
What does an IVF biochemical pregnancy mean?
An IVF cycle can end with a biochemical pregnancy. The embryo implants and produces detectable human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) but fails to develop further. Blood tests show a positive pregnancy based on the hCG rise, but the ultrasound is negative. Biochemical pregnancies, even during natural conception, are quite common. As IVF is so closely monitored, instances of biochemical pregnancies can feel more apparent. For couples excited to start the journey to parenthood, this can be a devastating conclusion. At the same time, the result can provide some invaluable details. Embryos transferred during IVF can implant and produce pregnancy hormones. With this data, adjustments can be made in subsequent IVF cycles to improve success rates.
What causes biochemical pregnancies?
Understanding the potential causes of biochemical pregnancies can guide medication adjustments and treatment options. Chromosomal abnormalities in embryos represent the highest cause of biochemical pregnancies. Embryos with chromosomal issues implant briefly but can suddenly fail. Hormone imbalances, such as low progesterone during the luteal phase, can lead to biochemical pregnancy. Other potential cases include poor endometrial receptivity, thinner uterine lining, immune system dysfunction, and patient age. A combination of factors may cause biochemical pregnancies, so the fertility team will create a custom plan to improve success rates.
Adjusting IVF medication
The fertility team will tackle biochemical pregnancies by adjusting medication during subsequent cycles. Progesterone support may need to be increased or optimized to improve endometrial receptivity. Measuring serum progesterone levels around the time of pregnancy testing can reveal what medication adjustments will produce the best results. Fertility specialists may increase vaginal progesterone doses or include oral solutions or injectable doses. If there is an issue with endometrial receptivity, common adjustments include changing medication timing or extending the timeline for progesterone before implantation. Other options include using extended estrogen supplementation to improve the uterine lining or medication to reduce the immune response and blood flow.
Get IVF ready after a biochemical pregnancy
News of a biochemical pregnancy can be emotionally devastating for those hoping that IVF can lead to a successful pregnancy. IVF patients will feel upset, yet there is hope. Medication adjustments can help the body be better prepared for the next cycle, improving the chances of success. Adjusting progesterone dosages, duration, or combining with estrogen can help. Fertility clinics even use preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) to ensure the best possible embryos are used in the next cycle. Work with the fertility team to find the root cause and consider the power of medication adjustments, which help turn dreams into reality.
