eli5: how do cryptic pregnancies stay hidden for so long? wouldnt the baby growing also grow the stomach?

r/

in a “normal” pregnancy, the parent’s body changes with their baby growing inside them. so how come during a cryptic pregnancy does the baby not seem to take up the same space?

i know that during a non-cryptic pregnancy, the baby shifts organs around slightly. does this happen more with a cryptic one which would likely “hide” it a bit more?

Comments

  1. Awkward-Feature9333 Avatar

    People are known to gain weight over a few months without being pregnant.

  2. Hoffi1 Avatar

    There are multiple factors. Firstly, there is denial. The Human mind is really great at ignoring obvious reality.

    Secondly, not all body change the same. Some women just don’t get a big baby belly or the belly is just hidden under the already obese body.

    Thirdly there are also other indicators of a pregnancy like morning sickness or missing period, that could also be caused by other factors and the hiddenly pregnant woman would do so.

  3. FoxyGhost88 Avatar

    The baby can also hide behind the rib cage. I have extra ribs and a flared ribbon cage that could hide a pregnancy pretty well if I was just a bit over weight.

  4. Singmethings Avatar

    I’ve taken care of a few women who found out they were pregnant the day they delivered. Mostly it’s related to age (young) and starting off at a higher weight, but there’s also a factor where a baby that’s not developing totally normally might be small and not move around that much. Combine that with a thyroid disorder or some other plausible reason to not get your period for months, and you might not think of pregnancy. 

  5. Sadimal Avatar
    • A lot of women have irregular periods. They could mistake implantation bleeding as a period as well as any spotting during the pregnancy. Also missing a period may be normal for them.
    • Position of the placenta: if the placenta is in the front, then you’d feel very minimal movement. Any movement could also be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues.
    • Increased weight gain can be seen as normal. Most people are like oh I’ve gained a few pounds oh well.
    • Recently given birth: If you’ve recently given birth then your cycle is going to the out of whack and you won’t be able to predict ovulation. Thus any new pregnancy could easily go missed.
    • Some women have zero symptoms associated with pregnancy.

    Go look up Mama Doctor Jones on YouTube. She’s done a really good analysis of cryptic pregnancies shown on I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant.