What are hidden pregnancy signs to look out for?
You might be wondering what a hidden pregnancy is. Maybe you’ve experienced a hidden pregnancy, or someone you know has. In this blog, we’re answering the question, what are hidden pregnancy signs?
This blog includes:
- What is cryptic pregnancy?
- What causes hidden pregnancies?
- Do cryptic pregnancies show positive results?
- What does a cryptic pregnancy belly look and feel like?
- What are the symptoms of cryptic pregnancy?
- Signs of a hidden pregnancy
- Can you have a healthy baby from a cryptic pregnancy?
- Signs of hidden twin pregnancy
We’ll be letting you know about hidden pregnancy signs and symptoms. Before we begin, it’s good to know that a hidden pregnancy can also be referred to as a cryptic pregnancy or a stealth pregnancy.
A cryptic pregnancy is different to a denied pregnancy. A denied pregnancy can occur for many reasons. These can include feeling unprepared, not wanting to show pregnancy or not wanting to accept pregnancy. This may be referred to as a denied or concealed pregnancy.
What is cryptic pregnancy?
A cryptic pregnancy is one that an expecting mother is not aware of until later in pregnancy. Typically, the expectant mother will not find out that they are pregnant until around 20 weeks, although it can be later than this.
As you can imagine, cryptic pregnancies can come as a shock which can be tricky to deal with. If you know someone who is experiencing this type of pregnancy, you should offer support.
Cryptic pregnancies are rare. On average, they affect 1 in every 400 or 500 women. You might be wondering how this is possible, and hidden pregnancies typically occur just like that, with no pregnancy symptoms.
What causes hidden pregnancies?
A cryptic pregnancy can happen to anyone, although some people may have a higher risk. Here are some things that can increase your chances of a cryptic or stealthy pregnancy.
- Using birth control that stops your periods
- Hormonal imbalances
- Perimenopause
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
Many people notice the signs of a hidden pregnancy and attribute them to something else, such as the above.
If you are not having regular periods, for whatever reason, you might not notice that your period hasn’t arrived. A missed period is often the first sign of pregnancy that people notice at around five or six weeks pregnant. Some women notice even sooner than this. Read our blog on 4 weeks of pregnancy symptoms.
Do cryptic pregnancies show positive results?
Yes, a cryptic pregnancy can show a positive result on a test. A pregnancy test is the only way to confirm your pregnancy at home. If you suspect pregnancy, you should always complete a pregnancy test. Then, you can contact your doctor and take the next steps.
If you receive a negative result but you have pregnancy symptoms, you can contact your doctor to organise a blood test.
What does a cryptic pregnancy belly look and feel like?
Most women who experience a cryptic pregnancy do not experience lower abdomen swelling. This means that the belly appears to look as it usually does. Some women may also not gain much weight during early pregnancy. If they do gain weight, they may assume that it’s caused by something else and not a baby bump.
What are the symptoms of cryptic pregnancy?
It can be tricky to grasp the concept of symptoms during a hidden pregnancy. This is mainly because there are few or no pregnancy symptoms. Many of the symptoms you may experience can often be easily attributed to something else, which means pregnancy might not even enter your thoughts.
A negative pregnancy test result
Doing a test and getting a negative result can be a sign of a cryptic pregnancy, known as a false negative result. Many people choose to do multiple tests from different packets. This may help you to get a more reliable result. Not all negative results will be false, you know your body best. If you are worried, seek advice.
Every at-home pregnancy test has different instructions, so it’s very important to check these before starting the test. Some pregnancy tests can be completed at any point in your cycle, whereas others need to be used at a specific point. Reading and following the instructions is crucial for an accurate result.
Bleeding
In the early stages of pregnancy, it’s normal to experience light bleeding or spotting. This is known as implantation bleeding, as the egg implants itself. Many people mistake implantation bleeding for a period, which is another reason why a cryptic pregnancy may occur.
If you can track your menstrual cycle, it’s a good idea. This isn’t always possible, however, for those who have irregular periods.
A cryptic pregnancy belly
A pregnancy belly can go completely unnoticed for various reasons. Some women don’t show any kind of baby bump until further into pregnancy. If they do, they may assume it’s linked to something else.
The baby’s position and your structure can impact how your belly looks during pregnancy. Similarly, if you have recently given birth, you may not notice a new bump as your previous one is still there. Find out if you can get pregnant while breastfeeding.
Signs of a hidden pregnancy
Similar to the symptoms, you might not notice any hidden pregnancy signs. However, these could be some that you may want to look out for.
Mood changes
You may notice yourself on a bit of a rollercoaster of emotions, especially during early pregnancy. This can be caused by the hormonal changes that are taking place. During pregnancy, your hormones change a lot.
It might be you, or someone close to you who notices you’re experiencing mood swings. Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean you’re experiencing a hidden pregnancy, but it can be a common sign.
Gaining weight
You might gain weight for many reasons in life, such as a change in diet or exercise. In some cases, weight gain may be due to a cryptic pregnancy. Look out for morning sickness too, which is a common pregnancy symptom.
Aches and pains
Pregnancy can put a lot of strain on your body, particularly your back. If you start experiencing back pain out of nowhere with no obvious cause, it could be pregnancy. Find out more about back pain at four weeks pregnant. In addition, you may notice flu symptoms.
While implantation takes place, many women also notice cramping. You should seek medical advice if your cramps become severe, as it could be a sign of something serious.
Other symptoms of pregnancy to look out for:
- Breast tenderness
- Change in vaginal discharge
- Morning sickness
- Fetal movement
Can you have a healthy baby from a cryptic pregnancy?
You can have a healthy baby from a cryptic pregnancy, but as with other pregnancies, it’s not a certain outcome. The main risk of hidden pregnancies is that you may not have access to the recommended pregnancy care. Some studies show cryptic pregnancy babies are more likely to be premature and have lower birth weights.
Some women may experience bleeding, which they attribute to a period. This kind of bleeding could signify something more serious in a hidden pregnancy. Therefore, if you do notice bleeding, it might be best to check and visit the doctor. They will be able to assess all of your symptoms.
A doctor may perform a blood test to check for a range of things. This can be used to confirm pregnancy due to the level of hCG in your blood.
Signs of hidden twin pregnancy
The signs for a hidden twin pregnancy are similar to a singleton pregnancy. However, many women report feeling symptoms much more intensely during twin pregnancies. If you visit the doctors for a blood test, they will likely notice higher levels of hCG. Find out more about hCG levels with twins.
Cryptic pregnancies tend to occur as people mistake pregnancy symptoms for other things or due to a lack of pregnancy symptoms. If you notice the common signs of pregnancy, you should complete a pregnancy test. This way, you can get the prenatal care you need to promote a healthy pregnancy.
We hope this article on hidden pregnancy signs has been useful.
Hey there, I’m Abigail!
In 2022, I graduated with a First Class Degree in Marketing and since then, I have been working as a blogger and Marketing Assistant. Before heading to university, I also achieved a BTEC in Children’s Play, Learning and Development.
I have been blogging for over four years and have covered many topics during this time. My focus has been on pregnancy, babies, sleep and baby name ideas.
I am passionate about learning new things and helping others. I hope that you find my blogs useful and informative. See you in the next article!