Cryptic pregnancy is a condition whereby a pregnant woman is unaware of her pregnancy until labor. Reasons the woman may be unaware of the pregnancy may include the woman being on weight-affecting medication, having regular menstrual bleeding, a lack of symptoms of pregnancy, and the fetus being unusually small.
Cryptic pregnancy differs from to denial of pregnancy, a psychological condition, where the woman is subconsciously aware of her pregnancy, but denies its existence. It is estimated that "1 in 450 doesn't know her [pregnancy] status until week 20 or later (more than halfway through the pregnancy), and 1 in 2,500 is oblivious until she actually goes into labor."
Signs of a Cryptic Pregnancy:
- Negative HcG blood and urine test (some women report having readings of less than 5 HcG test). Occassional faint positive pregnancy test.
- Negative transvaginal and/or transabdominal ultrasound
- Baby movement: flutters, kicks, movement, and movement is a lot less than a ''normal'' pregnancy. The first trimester movements in the tummy is usually flutters: If you have previously had a baby, you know this feeling.
If this is your first pregnancy, it may be a little more difficult to recognise. The flutters can have you wondering if that was gas or wind passing through, if that was your necklace hitting your tummy (even though it isn't near the area), you may even feel a quick roll or turn of something in your stomach.
In the second trimester it is small or bigger movements: As all cryptic pregnancies are unique this is only a guideline. It varies from person to person. Some experience very little movement and some more.
- Women who have had their menstrual cycle consistent before pregnancy, will notice a change in their menstrual cycle during pregnancy. It will most likely half in the number of days in length, usually 1-2 days. It will vary between a bright red pink and a dark red, blood clots and sometimes spotting. Occasional months may not you may not have a menstrual cycle. This is unusual for these women who have their menstrual cycles consistently each month.
Menstrual cycle: The blood colour can vary from bright pink red, purple, blue, black, orange, brown, pinkish brown and red. These are all colours either completely this colour or tinged into your blood.
- Uterus: In the scans the doctors will say you have no sac or baby, it is normal size too. Many women tend to have a retroverted uterus, which makes this difficult to see the baby. See Article : Facing Our Mistakes
- Body shape: changes around the abdomen. Stomach becomes harder and presents a ''pregnancy'' shape. It has a different shape to the typical pregnant stomach. Usually smaller, as the baby is nestled more towards the back and spine.
About video: Klara had no morning sickness, back pain or visible bump during her pregnancy, a phenomenon known as cryptic pregnancy, and she's not alone, it’s happening every week to a woman somewhere in the UK. Klara joins us with 2 month old daughter, Amelia, to share her unbelievable, life-changing story, alongside Dr Helen Stokes-Lampard who has seen half a dozen cases just like Klara’s.
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