Biochemical pregnancy

A biochemical pregnancy is a pregnancy confirmed by detection of beta-hCG 2-4 weeks after embryo transfer in the blood. The hormone is secreted by early placental cells of the implanting embryo (the trophoblast — derived from the trophectoderm).This is what many simply refer to as their “beta.” Further clinical tests, such as confirmation of a heart beat, make this type of pregnancy a clinical pregnancy.

A biochemical pregnancy loss is when a biochemical pregnancy doesn’t progress to a clinical pregnancy. This is sometimes simply called a “biochemical.”