Can you imagine finding out you're pregnant just hours before your due date? Neither can we. Yet, this is the reality that thousands of women in France experience every year. It's called pregnancy denial. This psychological disorder, which can mask a pregnancy until its term, causes emotional shock, sometimes profound, for those experiencing it. However, don't panic: it's very rare! So, how do you know if you're in denial of pregnancy? A closer look at the different types, their causes, and the resources available to pregnant women affected.
Types of Pregnancy Denial
According to Qare , during an invisible pregnancy, the fetus nestles at the spine or behind the ribs. This gives rise to two different types of denial.
Complete Denial of Pregnancy: Characteristics and Manifestations
The most extreme form is complete pregnancy denial. The woman is unaware that she is pregnant... until she gives birth. This phenomenon involves a complete absence of the usual pregnancy symptoms (swollen belly, morning sickness, missed periods). The expectant mother maintains a normal lifestyle because her body hasn't changed. And therefore, consequently... neither has her behavior!
Partial Denial of Pregnancy: Signs and Implications
Partial denial, on the other hand, is characterized by a late awareness of pregnancy, often after the fourth month of pregnancy. In this case, the woman may experience some mild symptoms, but tends to attribute them to other causes. It is usually fetal movements that trigger awareness: they become increasingly noticeable. And therefore, they can lead to abdominal pain or other more obvious signs of pregnancy.
Causes and risk factors of pregnancy denial
Denial of pregnancy remains a complex phenomenon, influenced by a multitude of psychological, emotional, contextual, and sometimes hormonal factors.
Psychological and emotional factors
Psychological factors play a central role in pregnancy denial. This phenomenon is often perceived as a defense mechanism: the woman's subconscious seeks to protect her from a reality that is too violent for her, sometimes downright insurmountable. Denial then finds its source in deep fears linked to:
- maternity;
- the ability to become a mother;
- more specific anxieties.
Let's also add that a history of trauma (sexual abuse, violent upbringing) can promote the emergence of pregnancy denial. The psyche then seeks to avoid reliving certain painful memories or experiencing situations perceived as threatening.
You may also be interested in this article: How do you know if you are having a miscarriage?
Sociocultural and contextual factors
The sociocultural and family context of the expectant mother can also have a strong influence on pregnancy denial. These include:
- pregnancies outside marriage;
- family conflicts;
- a precarious situation;
- the stigmatization of single mothers;
- certain social pressures.
These factors are most often linked to a lack of support from those around her. The woman then feels isolated and unable to cope with the situation.
Influence of hormonal factors
Hormones can also contribute to some pregnancy denials. Although the hypothesis is less well-documented, it is possible that atypical hormonal variations can mask pregnancy symptoms or influence a woman's psychological state. This possibility would therefore explain why some women do not perceive the bodily changes associated with pregnancy. And therefore, do not know they are pregnant.
As you can see, pregnancy denial can be multifactorial, whether physical, psychological, contextual, or hormonal. But once diagnosed, the most important thing is to seek gentle medical support... But that's not all.
Support and care
Due to its lack of signs, denial of pregnancy can cause a very intense psychological shock for the pregnant woman. It is therefore necessary to implement multidisciplinary care to guarantee the health of both the mother and the fetus.
Diagnosis and medical support
The problem with pregnancy denial is that it's often diagnosed late. So, if a woman shows signs that may be related to this mental health issue, it requires increased vigilance. Once the diagnosis has been made, the medical profession takes over to monitor the development of the unborn baby and the mother's health. This may involve:
- additional ultrasounds;
- appropriate prenatal consultations;
- any examination necessary to ensure their well-being.
Psychological and emotional support
Expectant mothers can develop strong feelings of guilt following pregnancy denial. To soothe them, psychological support remains essential. Sessions with a psychologist or psychiatrist may be suggested. The goal: to work on the underlying causes of denial, accept the pregnancy, and prepare for the baby's arrival. At the same time, these women need emotional support from their family, friends, and anyone who can provide them with a secure environment for the future.
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Available resources and services
Good news, there are plenty of resources available to expectant mothers in denial about their pregnancy! Such as:
- Maternal and Child Protection (PMI) services;
- the French Association for the Recognition of Denial of Pregnancy;
- online or local support groups.
All of these services offer valuable support to those who need it. To the woman concerned, of course. But to those around her, too!
Pregnancy denial remains a complex condition that can cause a real shock for the pregnant woman. It therefore requires gentle yet multifaceted care for her well-being, and that of her child. Understanding, medical monitoring, a psychologist, and support from those around her... All of these factors will help the expectant mother accept her motherhood and prepare for the arrival of her baby.
