Why It Goes Unnoticed And When Do You Know About It

I m a g e : Shutterstock

H u m a n pregnancies c a n last a s long a s two t o five y e a r s ! Shocked? S o u n d s mysterious? E v e n I c o u l d not b e l i e v e it u n t i l I r e s e a r c h e d to u n d e r s t a n d what t h i s was a l l about.

O n e in 4 5 0 pregnant w o m e n don’t e v e n know t h e y are p r e g n a n t until t h e y reach 2 0 weeks o f pregnancy ( 1 ) , and o n e in 2 , 5 0 0 don’t k n o w they a r e pregnant u n t i l they r e a c h labor. T h i s mysterious p r e g n a n c y is c a l l e d cryptic p r e g n a n c y or s t e a l t h pregnancy.

M o m J u n c t i o n helps y o u go d e e p into t h i s mysterious p h e n o m e n o n , as w e explain w h y cryptic p r e g n a n c y happens, h o w you c a n recognize i t and d e a l with i t .

W h a t Is A Cryptic Pregnancy?

A cryptic p r e g n a n c y is o n e that g o e s undetected o r unnoticed u n t i l delivery. I t refers t o a m e d i c a l l y defined c o n d i t i o n called ‘ d e n i a l of p r e g n a n c y ’ (2). T h i s means t h a t you a r e pregnant, b u t the h u m a n chorionic g o n a d o t r o p i n (hCG) l e v e l s are t o o low t o be d e t e c t e d in a blood o r urine t e s t .

C r y p t i c pregnancies u s u a l l y occur i n women w h o have b e e n on b i r t h control m e t h o d s such a s contraceptive p i l l s , tubal l i g a t i o n (tubes t i e d to p r e v e n t the s p e r m from e n t e r i n g the f a l l o p i a n tube), e t c . These w o m e n come u n d e r the ‘ l e a s t expected p r e g n a n c y category’ a n d experience c o m m o n pregnancy s y m p t o m s such a s fatigue a n d morning s i c k n e s s mildly, o r do n o t experience a n y t h i n g at a l l . These s y m p t o m s are m i s t a k e n as t h o s e of s o m e other c o n d i t i o n .

W h a t Causes C r y p t i c Pregnancy?

S e v e r a l hormonal a n d psychological r e a s o n s can l e a d to c r y p t i c pregnancy. H o w e v e r , the p s y c h o l o g i c a l causes a r e lower t h a n the h o r m o n a l .

P o l y c y s t i c ovarian s y n d r o m e (PCOS): Small c y s t s form o n the e n l a r g e d ovaries. T h o u g h not h a r m f u l or c a n c e r o u s , they c a n cause h o r m o n a l imbalances i n the b o d y .

R e c e n t pregnancy: Hormones m a y take t i m e to g e t back t o normal a f t e r your p r e g n a n c y . If y o u are p r e g n a n t immediately, t h e r e would b e hormonal i m b a l a n c e causing a cryptic p r e g n a n c y .

L o w body f a t could t r i g g e r a h o r m o n a l imbalance a s in t h e case o f athletes.

Perimenopause is t h e time w h e n the b o d y starts s h o w i n g up s i g n s of p r o g r e s s i o n to m e n o p a u s e . It c a n start a s early a s in t h e 30s, m a k i n g the p r e g n a n c y go u n i d e n t i f i e d .

B i r t h control p i l l s such a s Deprovera, N o r p l a n t , or M i r e n a Coil r e l e a s e more h o r m o n e s which a f f e c t the n o r m a l pregnancy h o r m o n e s making t h e m vulnerable t o pregnancy.

H i g h – s t r e s s levels can c a u s e a c r y p t i c pregnancy a s they i n f l u e n c e the h o r m o n e s .

E v e n when t h e pregnancy i s cryptic, i t could s e n d you s o m e signals.

Cryptic Pregnancy Symptoms:

T h e symptoms o f cryptic p r e g n a n c y are s i m i l a r to a regular p r e g n a n c y . Note t h a t the s y m p t o m s vary f r o m one w o m a n to t h e other.

Nausea
Vomiting
Fatigue
F o o d aversions
F r e q u e n t urination
W e i g h t gain
Heartburn
Headaches
A b d o m i n a l cramps
Backache
M e t a l l i c taste i n the m o u t h

T h e symptoms c o u l d be s i m i l a r to t h o s e of n o r m a l pregnancy. S o , how i s cryptic p r e g n a n c y different f r o m the n o r m a l ?

W h y Is C r y p t i c Pregnancy Cryptic?

P r e g n a n c y remains a secret b e c a u s e of t h e s e reasons:

Y o u may h a v e regular p e r i o d s throughout t h e pregnancy, t h o u g h the n u m b e r of b l e e d i n g days m a y be l e s s . Spotting a n d bleeding d u e to i m p l a n t a t i o n could b e mistaken f o r a r e g u l a r period.

U r i n e and b l o o d tests a n d ultrasound s h o w negative.

Y o u might h a v e recurrent e a r l y labor s i g n s such a s contractions a n d period l i k e pain.

S l o w pregnancy b e l l y growth a s baby i s at t h e back o f the w o m b (at t h e spine).

F e t a l movements i n s i d e the w o m b are m i s t a k e n for g a s and b l o a t i n g .

W h a t Happens T o The F e t u s In C r y p t i c Pregnancy?

I n cryptic p r e g n a n c y , the d e v e l o p m e n t of t h e fetus i s delayed a n d interrupted f r e q u e n t l y , taking p l a c e at a n extremely s l o w pace. B u t this d o e s not n e c e s s a r i l y affect t h e health o f the f e t u s . The m o t h e r would g o to h o s p i t a l only w h e n she h a s severe s t o m a c h and b a c k cramps, t h a t is, d u r i n g labor.

C o n t i n u e d Periods/Bleeding I n Cryptic Pregnancy:

M o s t women c o n t i n u e getting t h e i r regular p e r i o d s throughout t h e cryptic p r e g n a n c y , but t h i s does n o t indicate a miscarriage. I t can b e heavy, l i g h t , or s p o t bleeding w i t h a f e w large o r small c l o t s . The b l e e d i n g can b e bright r e d , pink, b r o w n , purple, o r a n g e , or b l a c k . It c a n be l i k e a n o r m a l period, s p o r a d i c or r a n d o m . The b l e e d i n g could s o m e t i m e s last f o r weeks o r months, b u t all i t does i s shed a w a y the u t e r i n e lining. T h i s results i n little o r no h C G .

H o w Is A Negative T e s t Result P o s s i b l e ?

I n a n o r m a l pregnancy, t h e pregnancy t e s t shows n e g a t i v e if i t is t a k e n too e a r l y or i f you f a i l to f o l l o w the i n s t r u c t i o n s correctly.

B u t in a cryptic p r e g n a n c y , the r e s u l t is n e g a t i v e because t h e level o f hCG i s negligible. T h e placenta u s u a l l y secretes h C G , which p a s s e s along t h e lining o f the u t e r u s . It b u i l d s up a n d is s h o w n in t h e urine a n d blood. I n cryptic p r e g n a n c y , the l i n i n g of t h e uterus s h e d s periodically w i t h o u t giving h C G the s c o p e to b u i l d up a n d show u p in t e s t s .

M o r e o v e r , if y o u are n o t anticipating a pregnancy, y o u would n o t take t h e test.

H o w Does C r y p t i c Pregnancy Go U n d e t e c t e d In U l t r a s o u n d ?

I n a n o r m a l pregnancy, t h e doctor w i l l do a trans-vaginal u l t r a s o u n d 12 w e e k s into t h e pregnancy. A f t e r that, s h e will d o an a b d o m i n a l ultrasound u n t i l the d u e week. ( t h i s isn’t c l e a r . How c a n ultrasound b e done 1 2 weeks b e f o r e pregnancy? A n d will t h e abdominal s o u n d be d o n e every d a y / w e e k / month u n t i l the d u e week?)

H o w e v e r , in m o s t cryptic p r e g n a n c y cases, u l t r a s o u n d scans c a n n o t detect t h e growing f e t u s in a majority o f women. T h i s may b e due t o some a b n o r m a l i t i e s in t h e abdominal r e g i o n or u t e r u s .

U t e r i n e retroversion: It i s also k n o w n as t i p p e d or t i l t e d uterus b e c a u s e the u t e r u s is i n c l i n e d towards t h e back o f the p e l v i s unlike a vertical p o s i t i o n (as i n a n o r m a l uterus). T h i s position m a k e s it d i f f i c u l t to s e e the f e t u s in a n ultrasound. R e t r o v e r s i o n happens d u e to o n e of t h e below r e a s o n s :

T h e uterus d o e s not m o v e to t h e posterior p o s i t i o n during p u b e r t y . .

T h e growing b a b y stretches t h e ligaments, r e p o s i t i o n i n g the u t e r u s from i t s original p l a c e .

E n d o m e t r i o s i s (endometrium g r o w s outside t h e uterus) o r fibroids ( n o n – c a n c e r o u s growths i n the u t e r u s ) can c a u s e scarring, w h i c h will m o v e the u t e r u s to t h e anterior p o s i t i o n .

B i c o r n u a t e uterus: It i s a c o n g e n i t a l abnormality w h e r e i n the u t e r u s is h e a r t – s h a p e d , with t w o horns . A wall s p l i t s the u t e r u s either c o m p l e t e l y or p a r t i a l l y . It c a n thus a f f e c t the r e p r o d u c t i v e abilities o f a w o m a n , and a l s o result i n cryptic p r e g n a n c y .

A b n o r m a l scar t i s s u e : An a b n o r m a l scar t i s s u e can h a p p e n due t o abdominal s u r g e r y , C-section, o r tummy t u c k s , among o t h e r s . This s c a r tissue p r e v e n t s the u l t r a s o u n d waves f r o m passing i n t o the u t e r u s , showing n e g a t i v e results o n the s c a n .

W h y Does C r y p t i c Pregnancy Have Longe r Gestational P e r i o d ?

T h e hCG w i l l not p a s s into t h e maternal s y s t e m as i n a t y p i c a l pregnancy. T h i s prevents t h e body f r o m generating s i g n a l s essential f o r baby d e v e l o p m e n t . The f e t u s will t h u s grow s l o w l y . The b a b i e s measure s m a l l e r than t h e y should b e at v a r i o u s pregnancy p h a s e s .

A l s o , regular p e r i o d s during c r y p t i c pregnancy p r o l o n g the g e s t a t i o n a l period. T h e heavier t h e period b l e e d i n g , the l o n g e r is t h e gestation.

H o w Can Pregnancy Go U n d e t e c t e d After M i s s e d Periods?

N o t all w o m e n have r e g u l a r and m o n t h l y periods a n d a m i s s e d period m a y not b o t h e r them. E v e n if p e r i o d s occur o c c a s i o n a l l y , spotting d u r i n g pregnancy m a y be c o n s t r u e d as m e n s t r u a l bleeding. T h e irregular o r less f l o w could b e attributed t o stress, m e n o p a u s e , or o t h e r health p r o b l e m s .

P o s s i b l e Complications O f Cryptic Pregnancy:

T h e r e would n o t be p r e n a t a l care a s you a r e not a w a r e of y o u r pregnancy. T h e delivery, t h u s , turns o u t be u n a s s i s t e d or a t home.

P r e n a t a l complications s u c h as h y p e r t e n s i o n , diabetes, o r blood g r o u p incompatibility w i l l go u n d e t e c t e d putting b o t h the m o t h e r and b a b y at r i s k .

T h e mother m a y not a v o i d certain h a b i t s such a s smoking o r drinking.

Cryptic Pregnancy Labor:

J u s t like c r y p t i c pregnancy, i t s labor i s also s t r a n g e . It i s long a n d protracted, a n d you w i l l experience l a b o r like p a i n s for m o n t h s before y o u enter i n t o actual l a b o r . The l a b o r pains, w h i c h may i n i t i a l l y seem l i k e menstrual c r a m p s , will g e t worse a n d hurt a lot m o r e . This, c o u p l e d with t h e pains l a s t i n g for m o n t h s , may p r o m p t women t o see a doctor, w h e r e the p r e g n a n c y may b e confirmed. T h e doctor m a y try t o induce l a b o r or p e r f o r m a C – s e c t i o n to d e l i v e r the b a b y .

S o m e of t h e labor s y m p t o m s in c r y p t i c pregnancy a r e :

B a c k pain
Nausea
Vomiting
H o t flashes
Chills
Dizziness
C o l d sweats
Diarrhea
B o d y ache
P a i n in t h e legs t h a t radiates t o the t h i g h s
M o o d swings
P a i n in t h e hip a n d pelvic r e g i o n
Palpitations
S w e l l i n g of t h e vaginal w a l l s due t o increased b l o o d flow
V a g i n a feeling b r u i s e d and p a i n f u l
P a i n f u l breasts. S o m e t i m e s , the p a i n can b e shooting, s h a r p pain
V i s i o n problems
P r e s s u r e on t h e cervix
S t a b b i n g pain i n the s i d e s , just l i k e you g e t after r u n n i n g
T u g g i n g or p u l l i n g sensation i n the a b d o m e n which m a y or m a y not b e painful

Y o u may e x p e r i e n c e all o r a f e w of t h e s e symptoms t h a t can s t r e t c h for m o n t h s . In m o s t cases, t h e actual p r o c e s s of c r y p t i c pregnancy d e l i v e r y is v e r y quick a n d does n o t last l o n g .

Y o u may e x p e r i e n c e back p a i n or a tightness w h i c h radiates t o the f r o n t like t h a t of a period p a i n . You m a y want t o go t o the l o o but w o u l d not h a v e a b o w e l . In s u c h a c a s e , go t o a h o s p i t a l .

H o w To P r e v e n t Cryptic Pregnancy?

D u r i n g the r e p r o d u c t i v e age, i f you a r e continuously e x p e r i e n c i n g certain p a i n or c h a n g e s in t h e abdomen o r pelvis, y o u should i m m e d i a t e l y see a doctor. T h o u g h it i s difficult t o detect a pregnancy, y o u r doctor m i g h t make a guess a b o u t it.

I f you d o not g e t regular p e r i o d s , take r e p e a t e d pregnancy t e s t s . You s h o u l d speak t o your g y n e c o l o g i s t about i r r e g u l a r periods a n d get a thorough c h e c k u p . You s h o u l d also g e t a c h e c k u p done i f you t h i n k you h a v e entered m e n o p a u s e .

A Real L i f e Cryptic Pregnancy Story: W o m a n pregnant f o r three y e a r s gives b i r t h to a baby g i r l in I b a d a n

T h e r e are m a n y stories r e l a t e d to s u c c e s s f u l cryptic p r e g n a n c i e s . Here i s one s u c h story t h a t took p l a c e in I b a d a n , the c a p i t a l of O y o State, N i g e r i a .

O m o t a y o Yemisi A k i n w a l e had t w o miscarriages. W h e n she w a s pregnant f o r the t h i r d time i n August 2 0 1 3 , her h u s b a n d moved t o France, a n d since t h e n she l i v e d alone. E v e r y t h i n g was f i n e until s h e reached n i n e months, w h e n her p r e g n a n c y extended u p to o n e year a n d four m o n t h s . Later t h e scan d i d not d e t e c t the f e t u s , which w o r r i e d the e n t i r e family.

T h e y suspected h e r for h a v i n g lied t o them. B u t her c h u r c h pastor a n d other c h u r c h members s t o o d by h e r and o n 19 A p r i l 2016, s h e gave b i r t h to a healthy b a b y girl.

F r e q u e n t l y Asked Q u e s t i o n s :

1 . How w i l l the c r y p t i c pregnancy b a b y movement b e ?

T h e feeling o f fetal m o v e m e n t s in c r y p t i c pregnancies i s like t h a t of g a s or i r r i t a b l e bowel s y n d r o m e . When y o u feel y o u r bowels a n d abs m o v i n g , you m i s i n t e r p r e t them t o be d u e to w o r m s , cysts, c o n s t i p a t i o n , fibroids, o r muscle s p a s m s .

2 . How l o n g does a cryptic p r e g n a n c y last?

A s the b a b i e s develop a t a s l o w e r pace, a cryptic p r e g n a n c y can l a s t for m o r e than 4 0 weeks. A cryptic p r e g n a n c y could b e as l o n g as t w o to f i v e years.

3 . How t o confirm a cryptic p r e g n a n c y ?

S i n c e cryptic p r e g n a n c y cannot b e detected t h r o u g h blood o r urine t e s t s , or a n ultrasound s c a n , your p r a c t i t i o n e r may u s e a D o p p l e r (monitors f e t a l heart r a t e ) (4) a l o n g with a finger p u l s e (5) t o confirm t h e pregnancy.

C r y p t i c pregnancy c a n put a woman i n a t o u g h position, e s p e c i a l l y if s h e is u n p r e p a r e d to l o o k after a baby. A woman h a s to b e mentally, e m o t i o n a l l y , and p h y s i c a l l y prepared t o bring a baby i n t o the w o r l d and n u r t u r e it.

I f you h a v e irregular p e r i o d s and t h e test r e s u l t s show o t h e r w i s e , talk t o a g y n e c o l o g i s t . Also, t a k e care o f yourself a n d eat h e a l t h y to p r o m o t e a n o r m a l and h e a l t h y development o f your b a b y .

H a v e an e x p e r i e n c e to s h a r e ? Let u s know i n the c o m m e n t section b e l o w .

R e c o m m e n d e d Articles:

” I believe w o r d s have p o w e r . They a r e a p o w e r f u l tool f o r a c r e a t i v e soul. B e i n g a ‘ w o r d addict’, I express m y thoughts a n d contribute a r t i c l e s on h e a l t h , wellness a n d beauty. A p a r t from w r i t i n g , I l o v e listening t o gospel m u s i c and e n j o y observing n a t u r e in s i l e n c e . “

IncnutIncnutIncnut

Search This Blog

Hi Baby Name