What happened
A biochemical pregnancy is confirmed by a transient positive hCG test, the embryo briefly implants and produces hCG, but the pregnancy does not progress to ultrasound visibility (typically before gestational week 5). It may account for 50–75% of all miscarriages.
In an IVF context, biochemical pregnancy is always known, you are monitoring hCG closely and receive explicit confirmation that implantation occurred before the loss. This makes it psychologically distinct from a spontaneous biochemical loss that might go undetected.
Why this matters
The hormonal crash, abrupt drops in hCG and progesterone, produces real physiological mood effects. The grief response is validated: implantation occurred, pregnancy hormones were produced, the loss is real.
In IVF, seeing a positive test after treatment, and then losing it, is distinct from both a standard negative result and an early miscarriage. The specific pain of briefly having what you hoped for and then losing it is real, and it deserves acknowledgement.
A biochemical pregnancy is not a 'failed negative test'. It is a pregnancy that was lost.
At work
Physical absence: minimal, bleeding is typically equivalent to a heavy period. Self-certification for any short absence. A fit note is not usually required.
Emotional impact: may be significant, particularly in the context of IVF where the positive test carried enormous weight. If you are finding this harder than you expected, that is an entirely appropriate response.
Support: biochemical pregnancy is recognised as a form of early pregnancy loss in UK clinical guidance. Your GP can refer you to specialist fertility counselling if distress persists.