A cryptic pregnancy - true story!

True story: Cryptic pregnancy can happen!

A cryptic pregnancy, also known as a hidden pregnancy, occurs when a woman is unaware that she is pregnant until well into the pregnancy, often not realizing until she is in labor or even after giving birth. This phenomenon can happen for various reasons, including if someone has very irregular menstrual cycles, their own weight distribution and muscles mean they never develop much of a bump, if someone never really experiences typical pregnancy symptoms, and sometimes it can be denial or someone who truly believes they can never be pregnant.

I have seen this several times in my experience as an obstetrics doctor. After the realization of the pregnancy, there can be a range of emotions and practical considerations. Initially, there might be shock and disbelief, especially if the pregnancy was completely unexpected.

Once the reality sets in, the woman and her support system, whether it's family, friends, or medical professionals, will need to make decisions about prenatal care, delivery options, and planning for the arrival of the baby.

If the pregnancy was only discovered as the baby was born, usually they will be taken immediately to hospital by ambulance so mum and baby can be checked over, as they wouldnt have had any of the usual prenatal checks.

In some cases, there may also be psychological factors to address, such as coming to terms with the sudden change in life circumstances and adjusting to the idea of becoming a parent. Counseling and support groups can be helpful for individuals navigating the complexities of a cryptic pregnancy.

Id love to hear if this is something that happened to you, please share your own experience!