How to Diagnose a Cryptic Pregnancy

Medically reviewed by Erik Kramer, DO, MPH

Last Updated: July 28, 2022 References

Symptoms

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Diagnosis

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Risk Status

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Warnings

A cryptic pregnancy happens when you don't realize that you are pregnant until several weeks or months in. Recent studies show that as many as 1 in 475 women may experience a cryptic pregnancy at some point in their lives.^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} You may be especially at risk for a cryptic pregnancy if you think you can't become pregnant, or if you have PCOS, endometriosis, or are experiencing perimenopause. Having an irregular period and experiencing bleeding or spotting during pregnancy can lead you to believe that you aren't pregnant. If you notice any symptoms of pregnancy, take a test as soon as possible so you can take healthy steps going forward.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Symptoms

1
Keep track of the frequency of your periods. Even if you have infrequent or irregular periods, it is important to track when you do get your period. If you experience an increase or decrease in bleeding, talk to your doctor right away. Spotting and bleeding can happen during pregnancy, so be on the safe side and take a pregnancy test if you notice a change in your periods.^{[2]
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- You may also notice other changing symptoms when you are bleeding, such as more or less pain, a shorter or longer period of bleeding, or a change in the color of your blood. All of these could mean you are pregnant.
2
Notice any nausea, vomiting, and food aversion. Morning sickness is one common signal of pregnancy. You may experience nausea with or without vomiting. You might also notice that foods you usually like become repulsive to you, or you might find yourself craving something you don't normally crave.^{[3]
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- Remember that morning sickness doesn't necessarily happen in the morning. It could happen at any time of day.
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3
Look for body aches, sharp pain in the breasts, and pressure on the cervix. Body pains, particularly in the pelvic area or breasts, can signal a pregnancy. If you notice unusual pains, especially if they don't seem to go away, this could be a sign that you are pregnant.^{[4]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- Also look for changes in the breasts, like swelling, a change in sensitivity, heaviness, or a darkening of the areola (the area around your nipple).
4
Consider other symptoms, like mood swings, dizziness, and chills. Although these symptoms are associated with other conditions besides pregnancy, they can signal an extreme physical change taking place. If your symptoms persist, take a pregnancy test to see if pregnancy could be the cause.^{[5]
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Research source}
- Tender breasts, increased urination, bloating, cramping, and constipation can also be signs of pregnancy.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Diagnosis

1
Take an at-home pregnancy test if you think you might be pregnant. If you suspect that you may be pregnant, take an at-home pregnancy test right away. Although pregnancy tests can show false negatives or false positives, they are usually around 99% accurate.^{[6]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- A pregnancy test may show a false positive if you experience a pregnancy loss soon after taking the test, if you take a fertility drug with HCG, or if you are experiencing menopause, an ectopic pregnancy, or problems with your ovaries.
- A pregnancy test may show a false negative if you take the test too early, read the results before the test is done working, or use diluted urine. For the most accurate results, take the test first thing in the morning a 2-3 days after you think you missed your period.
- A home pregnancy test is not as accurate after the first trimester.^{[7]
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- If you have any doubt about whether you may be pregnant, see your healthcare provider. They can test for pregnancy hormones in your urine and blood. Your doctor can also determine the quantity of any pregnancy hormones that are present, which will help them evaluate the health and progress of the pregnancy.
2
Use an ultrasound to confirm an at-home pregnancy test. Whether your pregnancy came back positive or negative, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor about an ultrasound if you are experiencing pregnancy symptoms. The doctor will use the ultrasound to confirm if you are pregnant or not, and advise you on your next steps.^{[8]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- Depending on how early they suspect you are in the pregnancy, your doctor may not recommend an ultrasound right away. While a pregnancy may be visible on an ultrasound as early as 4 ½ weeks, you could get a false negative if the test is done too early.
- Your doctor may also order a blood test to confirm whether or not you are pregnant.
- Conditions such as retroversion of the uterus, a bicornuate uterus, or scar tissue in the uterus can make it difficult to tell for sure if you are pregnant using an ultrasound.
3
Ask for specialized tests if your symptoms continue. A Doppler ultrasound can provide details about blood flow to the uterus or fetus, if there is one. A specialized sonographic evaluation might be used if the doctor suspects an abnormality.^{[9]
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- These tests can help tell if you are experiencing an ectopic pregnancy or other serious complications.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Risk Status

1
See a doctor immediately if you have PCOS and experience pregnancy symptoms. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) can cause symptoms like irregular periods, weight gain, fatigue, mood changes, and pelvic pain.^{[10]
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National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source} You may have trouble telling if you are pregnant if your symptoms are similar to PCOS symptoms. Make note of any changes in your symptoms, such as sudden cravings or food aversions, or an increase in fatigue.
- If you have PCOS and recently lost weight and reduced your insulin levels, pregnancy is more likely.
- Also see a doctor if you have other conditions that affect your periods and reproductive health, like endometriosis, and you experience pregnancy symptoms.
2
Take a pregnancy test if you notice symptoms while recovering from pregnancy. If you have recently given birth and your periods haven't returned to their normal frequency or heaviness, you might not see a missing period as a sign of pregnancy. Watch for other symptoms of pregnancy and take an at-home pregnancy test as soon as you can, even if it’s been less than 4 weeks since you gave birth.^{[11]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source}
- Look for symptoms that you experienced during your recent pregnancy. If you suspect there is even the smallest chance you could be pregnant, take a test as soon as possible.
- Don’t rely on breastfeeding as a form of birth control after pregnancy. While it can reduce your chances of getting pregnant again, it isn’t completely reliable.
3
Watch for symptoms of pregnancy during perimenopause. If you suspect that you are approaching menopause, don't dismiss the possibility of becoming pregnant. Your periods might not be a reliable signal of pregnancy anymore. If you experience other pregnancy symptoms, take an at-home test right away.^{[12]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- You and the fetus may be at risk for more complications if you are at the age of perimenopause. Take a pregnancy test as soon as possible so that you can talk to a doctor about steps you can take to reduce those risks.
4
Test yourself if you experience pregnancy symptoms while on birth control. Hormonal birth control significantly reduces the risk of pregnancy. Some forms of birth control can also reduce the frequency of your periods or even stop them entirely. However, no method is 100% effective, so if you suspect there's a chance you could be pregnant, take a pregnancy test as soon as possible.^{[13]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
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- Hormonal birth control can harm a fetus, so find out as soon as possible if you are pregnant to reduce risk of complications.
5
Talk to a doctor if you are experiencing high stress and think you might be pregnant. In rare cases, the body may not show signs of pregnancy when you are experiencing a high level of stress. If there is even a chance you think you could be pregnant, find out as soon as possible by taking a home pregnancy test and an ultrasound.^{[14]
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- Even though it can be frightening to face the possibility of a pregnancy, it's better to know sooner rather than later if you are pregnant so that you can prepare yourself physically and mentally and make healthy choices.
- Stress can also cause hormone levels to fluctuate. Confirm the result of your home pregnancy test with an ultrasound.

Warnings

People with low body fat, like athletes, or people who have extreme weight fluctuations can experience irregular periods and may not know if they are pregnant.

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Some myths claim that cryptic pregnancies can last up to 2 or even 5 years, but this is not true. Even if you didn't know you were pregnant until very late, the pregnancy will still last around 40 weeks total.

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