Chances are that you may or may not have heard anything about cryptic pregnancies. That's because cryptic pregnancies are not very common but at the same time, they are not extremely rare. Available studies estimate that 1 in 475 women are 20 weeks (about 5 months) into pregnancy before realizing it. 1 in 2,500 women go all the way to delivery before realizing they're having a baby.

Cryptic pregnancy is when a woman is pregnant and she doesn't know she's pregnant. It has also been called "stealth pregnancy" and "denied pregnancy". Yes, it's possible to go months or even through out the pregnancy without knowing you are pregnant. You may ask how?

Below are some common reasons why women don't know they're expecting a baby:

1. Misinterpreted pregnancy signs - The signs of cryptic pregnancy are the same as normal pregnancy but in cryptic pregnancies, the signs are either not understood or they are overlooked. The pregnancy signs may not be understood especially in women who are pregnant for the first time. Bleeding and spotting that can occur during pregnancy can easily be mistaken for a light period.

Baby bumps may also not be very visible in obese women or women with normally large tummies (abdominal fat). The signs may also be overlooked by women who for instance, are on some form of birth control. Because they know that the contraceptives will prevent pregnancy, pregnancy is the last thing to come to mind when they come down with characteristic pregnancy signs.

Other times, in older women (ages 45-55) who are inclining towards menopause, the signs of pregnancy may be falsely interpreted as signs of menopause. In some cases, there are actually no pregnancy signs at all.

2. A false pregnancy test result - Taking the pregnancy test too early, or the wrong way, likely gives a negative test hence making women believe that they are not pregnant. Sometimes women recognise the early signs of pregnancy but get a negative result when tested so they dismiss the possibility of pregnancy.

3. Psychological reasons - People suffering from mental health issues and victims of trauma such as sexual abuse may choose not to believe that they are pregnant, as a coping mechanism. Denial helps them separate themselves from the trauma.

Recent studies suggest about 2.7% of people become pregnant after experiencing rape, and 3.9% become pregnant due to other forms of sexual coercion, like a "stealthing" partner removing their condom without your knowledge. They may hesitate to acknowledge pregnancy.

Also, women who had difficulty getting pregnant or dealt with infertility, may believe that they cannot have children even when they get a positive pregnancy test.

4. Health conditions - Women who have irregular menstruation may be used to having missed periods and may not realise when their missed period is caused by pregnancy. This is same for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Due to hormonal imbalance that comes with the syndrome, periods and ovulation becomes unpredictable.

Risks and possible complications

Pregnancy is a very delicate time, especially the first trimester (first 12 weeks) as this is when most of the foetal development take place. Pregnancy requires special attention, a combined effort of the pregnant woman, her healthcare provider and her support system(friends/family).

Now imagine not being aware of one's pregnancy, not just in the first trimester, but sometimes even up till delivery. Foetuses of cryptic pregnancies are exposed to more risks and the pregnancy is associated with more complications. These complications arise from:

1.       No antenatal care, no counselling, no nutritional information and no drug review (some drugs should not be taken during pregnancy because they can affect the baby).

2.       There's every chance of sudden labour which leaves the woman to battle delivery on her own without professional care.

3.       There may be no lifestyle changes on the part of the mother. If the mother smokes or drinks alcohol, not knowing about the pregnancy means the baby will be exposed to these harmful substances.

4.       There's higher risk of being born prematurely and/or with birth defects as there was no prior ultrasound or physical examination.

Common Signs of Pregnancy to Look Out for:

Even though signs of pregnancy may not be specific, it's not safe to assume it's not pregnancy. If there’s a possibility you could be pregnant, some signs you should look out for are: missed periods, sore or swollen breasts, spotting, nausea or vomiting, cramping, bloating, fatigue, frequent urination, sudden food cravings, etc.

At-home pregnancy tests are not 100% accurate and the most accurate way to diagnose or rule out pregnancy is to visit a healthcare provider for a blood or urine test.

Conclusion

Cryptic pregnancy is NOT a myth. For women who have had children, it may seem impossible to believe that someone can be pregnant and not know. But, it is very real. Some women have been rushed to the hospital for severe stomach pain, which they didn't know was labour, and they return home with babies.

We encourage women to seek professional health care whenever they notice unusual changes in their bodies.