A cryptic pregnancy, also known as a stealth pregnancy or denied pregnancy, is a rare condition in which a pregnant person doesn't realize they are pregnant until late into the pregnancy or when they go into labor. This phenomenon can occur for various reasons, such as irregular periods, lack of typical pregnancy symptoms, or a negative result on a pregnancy test. Studies estimate that about 1 in 475 pregnancies may go unnoticed until around 20 weeks, and about 1 in 2,500 pregnancies go unnoticed until delivery
. The symptoms of a cryptic pregnancy are similar to those of a regular pregnancy, but the pregnant person may not recognize them as related to pregnancy
. It's important to note that cryptic pregnancies can have implications for prenatal care and the health of the baby, so it's essential for individuals who are sexually active and experiencing unusual symptoms to take a pregnancy test or consult a healthcare provider
