Episodes of “I didn’t know I was pregnant” will never cease to amaze (and scare) me! It boggles my mind a little that your life could change so suddenly without you ever expecting it. Did you know that those sorts of surprise pregnancies have a name? It’s called a cryptic pregnancy.
In this article, I’ll share with you what I’ve learned about cryptic pregnancies: how they’re defined, what the symptoms are and addressing some of the most frequently asked questions about them.
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What is a cryptic pregnancy?
A cryptic pregnancy as defined in the Case Reports in Women’s Health Journal is a situation whereby a pregnant woman is “unaware of their pregnant state and discovers this late in pregnancy or when labour starts.” It’s also called an “unperceived pregnancy”. Another name for it that I’m not sure truly describes it accurately is “pregnancy denial”. That sounds more to me like one is aware that they are pregnant but they choose to tell themselves and others that they’re not.
So indeed some schools of thought believe it possible that women who have cryptic pregnancies do know they are pregnant but they put up a mental block to stop themselves from getting too anxious about it. However, even those who believe this also think that with women like this, there are those who are having a real psychotic issue and those who are simply trying to prevent themselves from reaching a state of extreme anxiety.
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My initial concept of cryptic pregnancies is what I find a lot more easy to understand, which is that there are moms who notice few to zero pregnancy symptoms.
Cryptic pregnancy symptoms
Cryptic pregnancy symptoms can be subtle and easily mistaken for other things. Irregular or continued periods, mild nausea, fatigue and slight weight gain are common. Some women don’t experience typical pregnancy signs like a noticeable baby bump or strong kicks.
If you’re wondering what are the early signs of cryptic pregnancy, they can include occasional cramping, mood swings or even food aversions. Things that might not immediately make you think of pregnancy.
5 FAQs about cryptic pregnancies
How does your stomach feel in a cryptic pregnancy?
In a cryptic pregnancy, your stomach might not feel noticeably different for a long time. Some women experience bloating or mild cramping, while others don’t notice much change at all. If there is a cryptic pregnancy belly, it might not be as pronounced as in a typical pregnancy, which is why it can go unnoticed.
If you’re wondering how to detect a cryptic pregnancy, subtle stomach changes like unexplained weight gain or occasional tightness could be clues. Since what are the early signs of cryptic pregnancy can vary, some women might not feel any significant stomach changes until much later.
Can you feel the baby move in a cryptic pregnancy?
Yes, you can feel the baby move in a cryptic pregnancy but it might not be obvious at first. Some women mistake the movement for gas or muscle twitches especially if they aren’t expecting to be pregnant. If you’re wondering how to detect a cryptic pregnancy, paying close attention to unusual sensations in your lower abdomen can be a clue.
Since the early signs of cryptic pregnancy can vary, fetal movement might be one of the later signs that finally makes a woman realize she’s pregnant.
Who is more likely to have a cryptic pregnancy?
A cryptic pregnancy can happen to anyone but it’s more likely in women with irregular periods, PCOS, perimenopause or those who recently gave birth. Hormonal imbalances and low pregnancy hormone levels can also make it harder to recognize. If you’re wondering how to detect a cryptic pregnancy, paying attention to subtle changes like unexplained fatigue, nausea or fetal movement can help.
Since traditional tests might not always give clear results, knowing what are the early signs of cryptic pregnancy (like missed periods that seem like light spotting or ongoing symptoms mistaken for other issues) can make a big difference.
Do you gain weight with a cryptic pregnancy?
Weight gain with a cryptic pregnancy isn’t always obvious. Some women do put on weight, but others barely notice a change especially if they mistake it for bloating or normal fluctuations. Since cryptic pregnancy symptoms can be mild or inconsistent, weight gain doesn’t always follow the usual pattern.
In many cases, a cryptic pregnancy belly either doesn’t develop much or is small enough to be overlooked, making it even harder to recognize the pregnancy. Some women even lose weight due to appetite changes or lifestyle factors. It really depends on the body and how the pregnancy progresses.
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How is a cryptic pregnancy delivered?
A cryptic pregnancy can be delivered just like any other pregnancy. However, because there’s often little to no prenatal care, things can get a bit unpredictable.
For some women, labor happens naturally and they give birth at home or wherever they happen to be when contractions start (which can be a huge shock if they didn’t suspect pregnancy at all). Others may end up in the hospital especially if they experience sudden pain and get medical help.
One big concern is that a cryptic pregnancy belly doesn’t always develop the way it does in a typical pregnancy. And when it comes to cryptic pregnancy with period, some women continue to have bleeding that seems like a normal cycle, making it even harder to recognize the pregnancy.
If the baby is full-term and healthy, the delivery itself is usually straightforward. But in some cases, medical intervention might be needed, especially if there are complications or the mother is completely unprepared for labor.
Has this article made cryptic pregnancy any clearer for you? What was your initial understanding of cryptic pregnancies? Had you heard of them before?
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