728x90
my iParenting
From Our Sponsors
e-newsletters
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters

new terms of use
new privacy policy
award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Home › Articles › Miscarriage › Chemical Pregnancy and Blighted Ovum

Chemical Pregnancy and Blighted Ovum

The Role of Blighted Ovum and Chemical Pregnancy in Miscarriages

By Laurie Dove

Pages:  1  2  3  4  

How It Happens
A blighted ovum can be the result of chromosomal problems, Dr. Martinez says. In some cases, the egg or the sperm may be of poor quality. Although repeated miscarriages are emotionally traumatic, most fertility experts don't consider a woman to have a problem with miscarriage until she has had three or more consecutive losses. If this happens, a health care provider may order blood tests and genetic tests to find out what is causing the problem.

After a first-trimester miscarriage, a woman will usually ovulate in a few weeks, then have a period soon after that. Midwives and doctors recommend waiting at least one additional menstrual cycle before trying to conceive again.

Life After Diagnosis
The following year, Sherwood went on to have a successful pregnancy with the help of infertility specialists. But her anxieties remained. "I was in a constant state of fear and I never had a pregnancy I enjoyed," she says. "I was always afraid something would go wrong."

Today, Sherwood has four children. "Losing three pregnancies changed my whole outlook," she says. "Before the miscarriages, I had planned on maybe one or two children, but my career was important. After the miscarriages, when I was finally able to have children, I set aside my career. It made me realize what's really important."

What Is a Chemical Pregnancy?
Many women also are plagued by another conception loss termed "chemical pregnancy."

A chemical pregnancy is the clinical term for a pregnancy that is confirmed by a pregnancy test, but not by clinical signs, and is lost before clinical signs can be observed through means such as an ultrasound. The pregnancy test is often "faintly" positive or blood hCg levels are low. It is believed that fertilization occurs, but that the egg never implants.


Pages:  1  2  3  4  

Want to see more?

Comments

Found 3 comments
Displaying all 3 comments below

Re: by anonymous on 03/01/2010 04:25PM

this article also makes it sound like you cant go on to having a healthy pregnancy, that they HAD to adopt..........

Chemical Pregnancy and Blighted Ovum by Anonymous on 01/15/2010 11:33PM

This was an odd article about chemical pregnancies. They made it out to sound as if chemical pregnancies aren't "real" pregnancies. There are many better, more accurate articles out there on this subject.

Re: by anonymous on 09/23/2009 12:52AM

umm with a chemical pregnancy the egg does implant or you would never get a positive pregnancy test. where is this info coming from that the egg doesnt implant!! ive had chemical pregnancies and i have never heard of such a thing!!!

add a comment.

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.