Hot Topic: Can You Really Not Know You’re Pregnant?

Not every pregnant belly looks like a basketball—especially not for those who didn't know they were pregnant. Credit: www.photographybyjoelle.com

When I was pregnant with my daughter, I became addicted to all of the baby programming on TLC. A Baby Story, Baby’s First Day and Make Room for Multiples (which, by the way, will make having a single baby feel less overwhelming) were staples when I had a break in my day. But by far the most dramatic and craziest of all baby programming is the gem I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant. If you haven’t seen it, the show documents women who didn’t know they were pregnant until they gave birth. Say wha??

At first, I couldn’t have been more skeptical. These women had to be in denial. There is just no way someone doesn’t know they’re pregnant. But the more I watch this show, the more convinced I become that it is entirely possible. Some of the women might not be Einsteins (and who is, other than Einstein?), but most of them seem perfectly sane and reasonable. There are women who have been told they can’t get pregnant and therefore had no reason to expect it. Women who have negative pregnancy tests. Women who continue to have monthly bleeding throughout their pregnancies. Women who simply don’t show at all—I saw one episode where they showed a picture of a woman at more than 7 months pregnant and she had a perfectly normal midsection, no bump at all. Some of the women have even been pregnant before and have pregnancy experiences that are the complete opposite of their others, a possibility I’m starting to understand. One woman had the typical round pregnant belly for her first pregnancy and didn’t show at all during her second.

I read this really interesting article on these so-called “cryptic pregnancies,” and it’s all just fascinating to me. The article states that 1 in 2,500 women is unaware of pregnancy until labor day, and a whopping 1 in 450 make it more than halfway through pregnancy without being aware. The article discusses how, under difficult conditions, the fetus staying “under the radar” can actually be of benefit—a survival mechanism, if you will. Seriously fascinating stuff.

Of course, I don’t always understand the craziness that some of these stories relate—like the woman whose family thinks she’s such a hypochondriac that they ignore her cries of pain and she has to call 911 herself. Or the one who doesn’t call 911 after she gives birth—or even tell her husband when he calls from a business trip. But I’m sure a surprise childbirth can really do a number on your brain.

What do you think? Can you really not know you’re pregnant until delivery day?

Can’t see the poll? Click here to weigh in on cryptic pregnancy!

With the number of pregnancy symptoms I’ve experienced both times, I know there is no way that I could go through the process without knowing I was pregnant. But what do you think about cryptic pregnancy? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic, so weigh in below! —Erin