A cryptic pregnancy or a stealth pregnancy is a pregnancy that might not be detected. Cryptic pregnancies are rare, it’s a struggle when one is hoping to be pregnant and become convinced that they are; However, after a blood or urine test it might be found that one is not pregnant.
There are cases where a person does not understand even after 7 months of being pregnant.
Symptoms of a cryptic pregnancy
When someone is having a cryptic pregnancy, they don't get to know till a very long stage. A pregnancy test may come back negative even after they’ve missed their period. They may dismiss early pregnancy nausea as stomach flu or indigestion. Low levels of pregnancy hormones can mean their pregnancy symptoms are very mild or difficult to notice. Fluctuating hormones can lead to slight bleeding that resembles a period.
Conditions associated with cryptic pregnancy include:
Cryptic pregnancy
In case of an inconclusive ultrasound
Even an ultrasound can fail to find a growing fetus if it’s not looking in the right place. If a person with cryptic pregnancy has approved to get an ultrasound despite a negative pregnancy test, it’s possible it won’t show up in the first trimester due to:
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Labour and delivery after a cryptic pregnancy
Labour and delivery after a cryptic pregnancy is physically similar to a normal pregnancy with contractions that feel like severe cramps while the cervix stretches to be able to deliver the baby. After the cervix is dilated, the body pushes the baby out of the birth canal. The only difference about labour and delivery for a cryptic pregnancy is that the person does not expect it at all.
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The typical signs of cryptic pregnancy are a negative home pregnancy test despite being pregnant, menstrual-like bleeding, which is considered a regular period. You may also suffer from vague symptoms like nausea, fatigue and changes in breasts, and also notice unexplained weight gain, fetal movement and bloating, which are mostly linked to obesity, gas or digestive issues.
There is no specific data on the number of cryptic pregnancies in India. But based on global data, cryptic pregnancy is a rare phenomenon in India and worldwide. Nearly 1 out of 475 pregnancies remains unknown until 20 weeks of gestation, making it a rare phenomenon. Approximately 1 out of 2500 women is unaware of their pregnancy until labour.
During a cryptic pregnancy, you may not show signs of a baby bump, and the stomach sensations are subtle. You may feel bloated, cramped and constipated, which are usually mistaken for digestive issues. Fetal movements are often slight in a cryptic pregnancy, which can be mistaken for gas.
A cryptic pregnancy is not safe, as women are not aware of their pregnancy. It can increase the risk of pregnancy complications. Absence of regular prenatal care makes a cryptic pregnancy more vulnerable, increasing the chance of preterm birth, stillbirth and developmental problems.
