What is a cryptic pregnancy?

cryptic pregnancy

    How to support a woman experiencing a cryptic pregnancy?

    Denial of pregnancy, or cryptic pregnancy, is defined as the failure to acknowledge one's pregnancy beyond three months. This announcement can be a real shock for a woman. Listening and the presence of loved ones and healthcare professionals are essential to support her during this ordeal.

    Often misunderstood and misunderstood, pregnancy denial is not as rare as one might think. Also known as cryptic pregnancy, this condition can affect any woman of childbearing age and from any socio-professional background.

    Definition: What is a cryptic pregnancy, or pregnancy denial?

    Pregnancy denial is defined as a woman's failure to acknowledge her pregnancy beyond the third month. A distinction is made between partial denial, meaning a pregnancy revealed between 21 and 32 weeks of amenorrhea, and total denial, where the woman discovers the pregnancy during labor or delivery. Discovering a pregnancy at four or five months allows the pregnant woman to prepare for the idea of ​​becoming a mother. Even if this announcement occurs at an advanced stage, she is ready to welcome the baby. However, it can be difficult for a woman to accept her role as a mother in cases of total denial. These patients arrive at the hospital or their doctor complaining of stomach aches when, in reality, they are in labor. They sometimes don't even have time to get to a hospital. It's a very violent experience.

    Note: Since 1985, cryptic pregnancy has been included in the World Health Organization's (WHO) classification of diseases.

    What are the symptoms of pregnancy denial?

    Various symptoms can indicate a potential pregnancy. The first signs are generally breast tenderness associated with a missed period. The woman may also experience slight abdominal pain, as if she were expecting her period.

    In cases of pregnancy denial, however, the expectant mother does not experience these symptoms. A woman affected by a cryptic pregnancy may experience bleeding similar to a period. Her belly also does not round out over the months. Nothing will alert her that she is pregnant.

    To overcome denial, it is necessary for an outsider, such as a healthcare professional, to verbalize the pregnancy to the woman. After the announcement, the first signs, such as physical changes, can sometimes occur within a few hours.

    What are the causes of pregnancy denial?

    The causes of pregnancy denial are poorly understood. The scientific community doesn't know why some women may experience this type of pregnancy.

    What are the risks of pregnancy denial for the baby and the mother?

    The body of a woman affected by pregnancy denial does not change. Her abdominal wall remains contracted, and her uterus does not tilt forward. The fetus generally positions itself vertically, along the spine. When the denial is lifted, the expectant mother may worry about her child's health, as her pregnancy was not monitored. However, the majority of babies are very healthy. It is therefore essential to reassure them on this point.

    The pregnancy announcement can be a real shock for these women, especially when it occurs a few hours or minutes before delivery. A patient who has been in total denial of pregnancy may reject her child after the pregnancy and experience profound unhappiness. It is therefore necessary to systematically offer psychological support after the birth.