Dr.
Steven R. Goldstein MD is the Best Gynecologist in NYC. He is also a
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York University School of
Medicine, Director of Gynecologic Ultrasound at NYU Langone Medical Center and
is regarded as one of the best Gynecologists in the US. His clinical research
has had a significant influence on the way gynecology is practiced.
The
advent of the home pregnancy test has revolutionized early pregnancy and our
understanding of its failure. Patients can now diagnose a pregnancy event by
the time they have their missed menstrual period with very sensitive home,
over-the-counter pregnancy tests. Research indicates that as many as 22% of
conceptual events (in other words, when an egg meets a sperm) will develop
minimally and then bleed at or around the time of the expected menses. These
have been dubbed “chemical” pregnancies and may be as high as 22% of all
conceptions.
Many
patients feel they have suffered a miscarriage. Data, however, shows that the
occurrence of such an event, although clearly sad, and parents can and should
“mourn” the loss of their pregnancy—still need to realize that the prognosis
for a healthy pregnancy is 35% in the next month and has high as 83% in the
next six months! In other words, such a chemical pregnancy failure is a very good
prognostic sign. It means that the woman is ovulating, her partner produces
sperm, at least one tube is open, and she is capable of capacitating her
partner’s sperm. The prognosis for a couple who have such a chemical pregnancy
is infinitely better than her sister, friend or co-worker who would like to be
pregnant but simply gets her period month after month after month.