You’ve Probably Never Heard Of A Biochemical Pregnancy
Most pregnant women are surprised to hear about a very early miscarriage called a biochemical pregnancy. After sexual intercourse, sperm combines with an egg in the fallopian tubes, which then travels to the uterus. Often mistaken for a missed period, a biochemical pregnancy occurs almost immediately after implantation. The fertilized egg begins to create human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) but fails to develop further. As a result, the pregnancy fails. Biological pregnancies occur in the first few weeks of pregnancy and can be confusing yet heartbreaking. At the same time, there may be hope with in vitro fertilization (IVF) and similar fertility treatments.
Should you consider IVF?
IVF helps thousands of couples every year who struggle with conception due to infertility. The process involves creating embryos outside of the body using sperm and eggs. A fertility clinic extracts multiple eggs using a surgical technique after the woman takes injectable hormones over several days. Once the embryos are complete, the fertility team will perform a single embryo transfer (SET) or multiple embryos. Couples become deterred from attempting pregnancy after a biochemical pregnancy. However, choosing IVF instead is ideal for these 4 reasons.
1. Revealing an underlying genetic issue.
Repeated biochemical pregnancies may reveal a sign of an underlying issue causing failed pregnancies. A common cause is an underlying issue with the embryo on a genetic level. In other words, conception and even implantation may be possible, but there is a problem with embryo development. A genetic abnormality can lead to miscarriages. IVF can use strategies like preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) to check each embryo for any issues preventing pregnancy. From there, the healthiest embryos or embryos that do not contain genetic abnormalities can be used for IVF. This step significantly increases the chances of a successful pregnancy.
2. Biochemical pregnancies set the stage for IVF
Biochemical pregnancy does have a silver lining. The process reveals a healthy uterine lining for future pregnancies. Some fertility clinics even consider a past biochemical pregnancy as a marker for future IVF success. Before IVF, the fertility team can explore many possibilities through hormone testing or ultrasound. Tests may reveal underlying health conditions preventing pregnancy. Along with a receptive uterine lining, IVF can be personalized to increase success rates. Studies show IVF rates are typically higher after a biochemical pregnancy.
3. You are at an advanced maternal age
Women at an advanced maternal age are more likely to experience pregnancy complications. The ovaries have a set number of follicles. The quantity and, eventually, the quality of the follicles will decline. Some women experience a premature failure of the ovaries. These circumstances are likely to lead to situations like a biochemical pregnancy. After experiencing this unfortunate event, IVF is a viable option to increase the chances of success.
4. You’re ready to take the leap
Some women or couples understand the potential for infertility challenges. For instance, a couple may have struggled with repeated miscarriages before. A woman may have a history of biochemical pregnancies or have tried other fertility treatments without success. The ideal couple also understands the emotional toll and is psychologically prepared for IVF. A fertility team can create a personalized plan that can support patients with past biochemical pregnancies.
IVF can bring hope to the hopeless
A biochemical pregnancy can be disappointing, especially when the difficulty occurs multiple times. For some women, there is adequate uterine receptivity, but an issue with the embryo. IVF can be an option for couples hoping to increase the chances of pregnancy. The process can use the best available embryos for a successful IVF cycle. Strategies like genetic testing can also identify possible underlying causes for a biochemical pregnancy. Women also see generally higher IVF success rates after biochemical pregnancies. IVF takes a proactive approach towards an issue that causes early pregnancy loss.
