Denial of pregnancy
Denial of Pregnancy
Denial of pregnancy is a rare condition where a woman is unaware of her pregnancy until labor or shortly before. This condition can be partial or complete and is often associated with significant psychological distress.
Pronunciation
Denial of pregnancy is pronounced as /dɪˈnaɪəl ɒv ˈprɛgnənsi/.
Etymology
The term "denial of pregnancy" is derived from the English words "denial," meaning refusal to accept reality or fact, and "pregnancy," which refers to the state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus within the female body.
Related Terms
- Pseudocyesis: Also known as false or phantom pregnancy, where a woman believes she is pregnant and may even experience pregnancy symptoms, but there is no actual pregnancy.
- Cryptic pregnancy: A pregnancy that is not recognized by the woman until she is in labor or has given birth.
- Dissociative disorders: A group of mental disorders characterized by disruptions or breakdowns of memory, awareness, identity, or perception.
- Postpartum depression: A type of mood disorder associated with childbirth, which can affect both sexes.
Symptoms
The symptoms of denial of pregnancy are often absent or misinterpreted by the woman. She may not experience typical pregnancy symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or a missed period. In some cases, the woman may attribute weight gain and abdominal swelling to other causes.
Causes
The exact cause of denial of pregnancy is unknown. However, it is often associated with psychological factors such as severe stress, trauma, or mental health disorders like dissociative disorders.
Treatment
Treatment for denial of pregnancy involves psychological counseling and, in some cases, psychiatric medication. The goal is to help the woman accept the reality of her pregnancy and prepare for childbirth or, in cases where the pregnancy has already ended, to cope with the aftermath.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Denial of pregnancy
- Wikipedia's article - Denial of pregnancy
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski