WHAT IS A CRYPTIC PREGNANCY?

Many people assume that when you fall pregnant – even if you don’t mean too – you will soon know about it.

For most mums, it’s such a transformative experience – both physically and mentally - that it seems inconceivable that some women remain unaware throughout their whole pregnancy. But that is the case for people who go through what is called a cryptic pregnancy.

This is something that affects hundreds of women in the UK each year. In short, it means that you are pregnant without realising it, often up until the point when you actually give birth.

Here’s some more about cryptic pregnancies and how they can affect you.

What is a cryptic pregnancy, exactly?

A cryptic pregnancy is defined as one where the mother does not realise she is pregnant and only becomes aware in the last few weeks, or even when she actually gives birth.

Are cryptic pregnancies real?

There is a lot of doubt and disbelief surrounding cryptic pregnancies, as many think it is impossible to be pregnant without realising it.

But that ignores the fact that everyone experiences pregnancy differently.

For instance, you may think that a lack of periods is an obvious sign of pregnancy, but actually around 30% of women have irregular periods and for some this means only having a few periods a year. If this is the case, then going for months without a period is not particularly unusual.

Also, many women simply don’t have the pregnancy symptoms that most women have – such as back pain, nausea, cramping etc – and so aren’t alerted by these tell-tale signs, whilst women in their 40s may mistake pregnancy symptoms for menopausal symptoms.

And while you may think a growing belly is a sure sign of pregnancy, remember that not everyone gets very big, whilst if you are overweight or obese then you are less likely to register it.

What can cause cryptic pregnancies?

This is a common question, but there is not a ‘cause’ as such – instead, a collection of factors are at play that means a woman simply does not realise she is pregnant.

What are cryptic pregnancy symptoms?

Cryptic pregnancy symptoms don’t exist, for the simple reason that – if you have a cryptic pregnancy – you are probably not experiencing, or not registering, the pregnancy symptoms that others go through.

How common is cryptic pregnancy?

About one in 2,500 births are from a cryptic pregnancy, which equates to about 300 births each year in the UK.

Is it possible to get a negative home test result when I’m actually pregnant?

Yes, it is – and that’s a big factor at play in many cryptic pregnancies. So, you brush off pregnancy symptoms as something else due to the false result.

The fact is that, although positive pregnancy test results are almost certainly correct, negative test results are less reliable. That may be due to not following the instructions properly, taking the test too early in a pregnancy, or rarely due to medicines affecting the result.

What should I do if I think I’ve got a cryptic pregnancy?

If you are even remotely suspicious that you are pregnant, then you should do something about it. If you notice any unusual symptoms then you should take a pregnancy test, even if you’re taking contraception. If you get a negative result, take another one in a couple of weeks time to make sure.

If you discover you are pregnant you should then book to see your midwife as soon as possible so you can access the care and information you need. And don’t worry if you feel scared and anxious – rather than happy – about the prospect of having a baby, as everyone reacts differently.

Is a cryptic pregnancy the same as a concealed pregnancy?

No, they are different - with a cryptic pregnancy you don’t actually know you are pregnant. A concealed pregnancy, on the other hand, is when a woman knows she is pregnant, but does not tell anyone – or hides that fact that she is having antenatal care.

Will having a cryptic pregnancy have an impact on mine and my baby’s health?

Possibly, as if you don’t know you’re pregnant then you are not getting all the information, support and care you need as you go through your pregnancy. But the biggest risk is during birth and labour, as – if it gets that far without you realising you’re pregnant – then you may go into labour without medical assistance, or on your own. Babies born from a cryptic pregnancy are often underweight, and their development may be affected.