Cryptic Pregnancies

Cases of women giving birth having had no idea they were pregnant are more common than you think. A midwifery expert explains how this is possible.

18:42 13 May 2016

Cryptic pregnancies or when women give birth without having the idea that they were pregnant in the first place, are more common than we might think. Although most of us cannot fathom the idea on how this can even be possible, Helen Cheyne of the Royal College of Midwives provided an explanation on why it is entirely plausible.

 

She said that some women overlook symptoms such as the absence of menstrual period due to some medical disorders and factors such as poor diet or stress. Also, other women who are nearing menopause and those who are taking contraceptive pills may stop having periods altogether. Meanwhile, morning sickness and weight gain can also be attributed to numerous other causes. 

 

But what about foetal movement? Although most people are convinced that this is something that cannot be overlooked, there are cases of cryptic pregnancy in which women have reported feeing no foetal movements.

 

Various physiological and psychological theories have been suggested to explain cryptic pregnancies. While it may occur more commonly in women with mental health condition, there are cases that involve women who are of sound mind. This phenomenon put both the unborn baby and the mother’s lives at risk due to lack of access to antenatal care.