Pregnancy is a blessing for most women as they have the ability to bring a new life, their own flesh and blood, into the world. However, some women are afraid of getting pregnant because they don’t want the added responsibility of caring for a child.
If you fall into the latter category, you might find that you are experiencing symptoms of false pregnancy because you are taking the signs too seriously. Keep reading as this article will tell you about false pregnancy and how to recognize it.
What is False Pregnancy?
Pseudocyesis, commonly called false pregnancy, is a medical condition that causes a woman to think that she has conceived. It normally happens based on a woman’s belief and longing to be pregnant, but at times it’s believed to be just a psychological matter.
In general, women with pseudocyesis usually have intense desires to become pregnant or dread the thought of it happening and would constantly look for signs. When this happens, the body will send out pregnancy signs because of their emotional state and increased production of hormones which causes the physical changes that would occur in an actual pregnancy. In this case, the brain would misinterpret the signs as pregnancy.
How to Recognize False Pregnancy (causes, signs and tests)
It’s very important for you to be able to differentiate a real pregnancy from a false one because you could experience several physical symptoms even with the latter as mentioned above.
Doctors have only started to understand the physical and psychological issues which trigger pseudocyesis, so the exact causes are still not known.
Some doctors think that psychological factors, such as the inability to conceive or the trauma of a miscarriage, can trick your body into believing that it is pregnant. There are some researchers who suggest that poverty, relationship problems, childhood sex abuse, or lack of education may help to trigger false pregnancy.
Signs and Symptoms of False Pregnancy
If you have pseudocyesis, you can experience most of the same symptoms of an actual pregnancy. The symptoms or signs can last for a few weeks, nine months or, in some cases, several years. There are a very small percentage of women who actually arrive at the hospital or doctor office with labor-like pains.
Abdominal distension is most common symptom experienced by women (63-97%) and she is convinced that she’s pregnant. The abdomen expands in the same manner as it does during pregnancy, so that the affected woman looks pregnant.
This phenomenon is thought to be caused by buildup of gas, fat, feces, or urine. These symptoms often resolve under general anesthesia and the woman’s abdomen returns to its normal size [1].
Cessation of menstrual period (56–98% )is a common pregnancy sign that women experience with pseudocyesis. This can be caused by stress or some other external factors.
Tenderness or enlargement of breasts, change in your nipples, and even milk production are other signs. The enlargement can be a natural growth or because of issues related to menstruation or hormones. You could also have cravings for some odd foods because of hormones and it’s not necessarily a pregnancy sign.
Morning sickness accompanied by vomiting and nausea is also a sign of false pregnancy, but it can be associated to hormones as well. In addition, you will be more vulnerable to nausea and disease if you are nervous or stressed with a weakened immune system.
Other signs include weight gain or feelings of fetus movements.
False Pregnancy Tests
The best way to know whether or not you are pregnant is to do a blood test at a health clinic. These facilities usually give very accurate results. If you get a positive test, then you are likely to be pregnant.
On the other hand, if your test result is negative and you are still convinced that you are pregnant, your only option is seek therapy and counseling as this will be the only way for you to resolve the problem and get over your pseudocyesis state.
In order to determine if you are experiencing symptoms related to a false pregnancy, your doctor will evaluate the symptoms as well as do an abdominal ultrasound and a pelvic exam. These are the same tests that your doctor would use to feel and envision the unborn baby in a normal pregnancy.
Bear in mind that the ultrasound will not show a baby if you have a false pregnancy. There will not be a heartbeat either. However, there are times when doctors find some physical changes which occur in pregnancy, including a soft cervix and an enlarged uterus.
In such cases, the urine pregnancy test results will always show negative, with the exception of some rare cancers which produce hormones similar to the pregnancy ones.
Some medical conditions could also mimic the pregnancy symptoms, including morbid obesity, ectopic pregnancy, and cancer. Your doctor would do the necessary tests to rule out those conditions.
After reading the above information you should have a better understanding as to what is false pregnancy and how to recognize it.
Image: Pixabay
References
- http://www.minddisorders.com/Ob-Ps/Pseudocyesis.html#ixzz5cV6MPS4L
Hi, i had sex with hubby on the 19th day of my cycle. Now my period is 7 days late now. I’ve been feeling pregnant with some symptoms – fatigue, tender breasts, mild abdominal cramp, wee more often, bloated belly. But 2 days ago felt like all symptoms are gone and only left with bloated belly. Did home pregnancy test twice but both showed negative. Had 2 miscarriages. So wanted to get pregnant! What should I do? Am I too stress ?
Hi Hazel, I know it’s frustrating. They do say that when you stop trying you get pregnant because stress can play a huge part on our fertility and our ability to get pregnant. Our bodies try to prevent us from getting pregnant during stressful times. You could have just had PMS, which they harbor a lot of the same symptoms. If you are still getting negative pregnancy tests then I would assume you aren’t pregnant. If you aren’t getting pregnant and are having multiple miscarriages (I’m sorry to hear that), I would recommend speaking with your doctor. They can run tests on you to determine what the reasoning is for that. Good luck.
Hi
I had my first baby 3yrs back, I have never had sex since then but now I feel pregnant, I had my last period some weeks back but it was a light one, I don’t have those morning sicknesses or fatigue, I feel heart beats in my belly, slight movements in my belly too, and cramps sometimes thou am waiting to see if I’ll miss my period this month. Am so worried I don’t want to be pregnant cz im not ready for it and the most weird part is I haven’t messed with any man, why am I getting this symptoms plz help me out????
Hi Doreen, if you haven’t had sex then it’s physically impossible for you to get pregnant without some sort of artificial insemination. So i wouldn’t worry about being pregnant.
Oh well I haven’t missed my periods this month too, it came a day early. But I still feel something like a heartbeat in my stomach every time I lay down. Its really making me uncomfortable cz I feel like theres really something in my belly n my boobs hurt, though there no other signs of pregnancy, so ur right I shouldnt worry about being pregnant ……. Could it be a medical condition????
Hi there Doreen, if you suspect something abnormal then you should definitely go see your doctor about this.
Hi
I am 48 now and missed my period am feel worry if I am pregnant.can be pregnant or menopause?
Hi Amal, I would recommend a pregnancy test. That being said, at 48 it could be menopause.
Hi a month ago I had sex but no cumming was involved.. he didn’t fully insert the penis, I took ECP and had my period 1 day late but lasted for 8 days.. a few days later I found dry brown discharge on my underwear. Then in July same thing happened, head of penis was inserted but never any cumming and now my period is 12 days late but there are 6 days remaining till the month ends.. I have been seriously stressed for a long time. I did do a home preg test. It was negative. I am afraid and a nervous wreck because I do have preg symptoms.. please help me.
Hi Anne, at this point you should have gotten a period or a positive pregnancy test. I would recommend though if you aren’t trying to get pregnant to find a reliable method of birth control.
Hi I’ m Kath, i’ve had sex with my bf during a weekend when I got my period and I let him cum inside me for few times. Then the next weekend we had sex again and I let him cum in me too. I tested my urine hoping I am pregnant but it came out negative. Then the next weekend I had sex with him again and same thing I let him put everything inside. But since that I haven’t tested my urine yet. It’s been 15 days since our last sex and I can feel mild cramps down there for almost every minute of these days. I’m having on and off headaches too, strong sense of smell, and cravings for food. But my breast isn’t sore yet and no morning sickness too bec I wake up 9 am, it’s like I always want to sleep everytime. Could I be pregnant? Or am I misinterpreting these symptoms as being pregnant? I really hope I’m having a baby though. I can’t test yet bec they said 5weeks preg are more likely to turn urine tests to positive, so I’m waiting for few more weeks.
Hello Kath, 7 days after a missed period is a great time to test for pregnancy. All the best.
Hi! I want to know if I am pregnant or not because I am 7 days delay to my period now. Me and my boyfriend had protected sex on the 15th day of my cycle. And I was diagnosed with ulcer a few days after that. I just finished taking medicine for ulcers and now I am delayed and I am experiencing backpain and mild lower abdominal cramps and also frequent headache. I am worried that maybe I am pregnant
Hello Charmagne, if you received anti-biotics as a part of your treatment that might be the cause for your delayed period.
But why am I experiencing backpain and abdominal cramps but without period?
I am getting lighter period from 2 month and gained weight is this sign of early pergnancy
Hi Mili, generally the absence of a period is a sign of pregnancy. Have you taken a pregnancy test? If not I would start there. Are there any other changes in your life if the test is negative such as illness, stress, medications, etc? If not then I would probably make an appointment with your regular doctor to see if there is an underlying issue going on.
i have taken test its negative and yes i have illness, stress
So I had sex on Tuesday but he didn’t cum in me and I’m scared cause I am having pregnancy symptoms but I think it can be false pregnancy any advice??
Hello Jasmine, once no sperm was passed into your vagina then you should not have conceived.
So I should be fine?
Jasmine, you should be, as long as no sperm entered you, yes.
Hi,
I am freaking out!! I had a tubal ligation after my second child back in 2007, then on 2011 I was diagnosed with Endometriosis so I had an Ablation done. I do not get my periods anymore, I do have a little bleeding once a month but not a period. I sometimes feel nausea, cramps when I guess my body thinks I should start my period. My and my husband do not use any type of contraceptives. 3 weeks ago or so we had sex and now I am feeling nausea, upset stomach, cramps and just off feel funny like pregnant. I took a pregnancy test, it came out negative, but when I was going to toss it out the next day it was positive. How can this happen? I took 2 more tests and they are negative. But I still have symptoms. How can this be? I read online that even with tubal ligation and an ablation you can still get pregnant. Can I be pregnant? I am getting a blood test, but I am freaking out. Haven’t been able to sleep these past 3 days.
Hi Paz, first get some sleep you do need it. Yes you can sometimes get pregnant after a tubal ligation. As for the test, that was evaporation lines. After the certain amount of time that can happen. I would wait for the blood test.
Women are baffled by their own bodies -sometimes PMS SYMPTOMS mimic pregnancy symptoms and on top of it these pseudo pregnant feeling. I had experienced similar 4 years ago when my period was irregular and tested twice -urine which resulted in negative. When I even described the feelings as real and fetal movements after 2 months of knowing that that was not a real pregnancy. Mind is so powerful but it complicates women’s hormones,
Hi
So I have missed two periods I have taken 4 tests all negative. I have nausea in the morning and off an on throughout the day. Ive had some spottong off and on theres some days where my Ovaries feel like they’re going to explode. Im 37 my Mom started Perimenopause at 37 . my periods have been regular up until now. I really want another baby. All my friends are pregnant and having babies. I think I’m having a hysterical pregnancy. What are your thoughts?
Hello Emily, please see your doctor regarding this issue. They will be able to do a blood test to determine pregnancy.
Hi am sophia
Sometimes in a month I usually have signs of pregnancy.and yet it false what could be the cause of all this.i really need help.i feel disappointed when I see my periods.i have been having sex with my husband almost all my under days but with no luck.
Kindly help
Hello Sophia, use the below link to help you:
https://womanjunction.com/how-to-get-pregnant-guide/
I need your help . I had my last in January but I have always been irregular so I didn’t pay that no mind . I have minor Nausea But it still hasn’t came & I can feel Movement in my stomach. But it’s soft & So is my cervix is too . I haven’t took a test yet . Could I be pregnant 🤰?
HI Kayla, you could be if you are irregular and don’t have a regular period to work off of to tell if you missed it. I would take a test.
Hi my name is Vianca and I need help 2years ago I had my tubes tied and burn but now April of 2018 I had sex a couple of times after I had my period 2 weeks after I started to have symptoms of being pregnant my belly is showing as well I did a homemade pregnancy test and it said I was but when I used a clear blue pregnancy test it said I was not what can I do I feel pregnant as well I have 3 children already I should know if I am or not right please help me
Hi VIanca, every pregnancy is different. How you feel on one might not be the same as another. As far as you should after two weeks, while possible, generally not likely. I don’t know what a homemade pregnancy test is, but if you think the clear blue isn’t accurate, get a blood test through your doctor.
I can’t seem to post but I need help can I get an email
Hi Abena, I’m sorry you’re having difficulty posting, but you did post this…maybe reply to this and we can help you with your questions?
I really need help. I tested positive using a PTS at home a week after I missed my period, 24th February. 24th of this month would be 8 weeks of pregnancy counting from my last period. I have most of the symptoms including enlarged and sore breast, tiredness more often than necessary, cramps on and off, heavy sweat, am bloating, constipation. I really wanted to be pregnant… Like I was dying to be pregnant cos I wanted to feel and have my own baby. Its a feeling I can’t explain. But few days after I tested positive, I came to realize how not ready I am. I am currently in my final year of a BSc. program. My finances aren’t even stable. And my boyfriend thinks its a bad time. Right after I made this convictions, I don’t feel pregnant anymore. I still get tired n my boobs are still heavy. Am I pregnant?I really need help.
Hi Abena, so I responded to your other post but it seems you have found a way to get this done. Well if you had a positive pregnancy test then you are most likely pregnant. I mean sure you can put those feeling out of your mind, but the pregnancy won’t go away on its own. At this point you have a decision to make and that’s something that only you and your boyfriend can make, but ultimately you because it’s your body. I would recommend discussing your options with your doctor as you can opt for an abortion as you are early in the pregnancy or you can look into adoption. Those are your alternatives but no matter what you do, future says if you aren’t ready you should look into birth control until you are. Good luck with your decision.