You know that heart-racing moment when you see two lines on a pregnancy test? For some people, that joy is heartbreakingly short-lived. A chemical pregnancy—something many have heard of but few fully understand—can happen before you even realize you’re pregnant. What Exactly Is a Chemical Pregnancy? A chemical pregnancy is a very early miscarriage that happens within the first five weeks of pregnancy. It occurs when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus but doesn’t develop properly. The name comes from the fact that it’s only detected through the “chemical” rise in pregnancy hormones, usually by a test, before fading away. It often goes unnoticed because it happens so quickly. Most people mistake it for a slightly late or heavier period. Roughly 50–75% of miscarriages are thought to be chemical pregnancies. In other words, it’s surprisingly common, but rarely talked about. How Does It Happen? Chemical pregnancies usually occur because of chromosomal abnormalities in t...