Could I Be Pregnant and Not Know It?

May 29, 2024

Yes, it is possible to be pregnant and not know it. 

However, most women find out at some point, usually between 4 and 12 weeks of pregnancy. They may miss a period or experience pregnancy symptoms that lead to taking a pregnancy test.

In some cases, women may not know they are pregnant until later on. Keep reading for more details.

What Are Cryptic Pregnancies?

A cryptic pregnancy is when a woman doesn’t know she is pregnant. 

It can happen due to several circumstances, such as:

• Having irregular periods, making it difficult to recognize a missed period
• Having Intermittent spotting during pregnancy, which could be mistaken as a period
• Taking birth control regularly without realizing it failed
• Denying the pregnancy symptoms and attributing them to another condition
• Having no symptoms or signs of pregnancy
• Not showing a pronounced pregnancy bump
• Being older in age and thinking pregnancy symptoms could be menopause
• Having a history of infertility or a health condition that leads to thinking it’s not possible to be pregnant

How Likely Is a Cryptic Pregnancy?

About 1 in 475 pregnancies go unnoticed until about 20 weeks gestation, which is in the second trimester. 

The odds of not knowing you are pregnant until delivery are rare. A study estimates this occurs in about 1 in 2,500 pregnancies. You may have heard about these headline-worthy cases in the documentary show I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant.

Could This Happen to Me?

Any time you have sex, there’s a chance of pregnancy, even if you are on birth control.

Taking a pregnancy test after a missed period or two or more weeks after sex can help you determine whether or not you’re pregnant.

Being vigilant and aware of your health and taking pregnancy tests can help you find out about your pregnancy. 

If your pregnancy test is negative after a missed period, but you believe you could still be pregnant, talk with your doctor about taking a pregnancy blood test to be sure.

I Think I Might Be Pregnant.

If you believe you may be pregnant, schedule an appointment at Heart to Heart for a no-cost pregnancy test and a limited ultrasound if your test result is positive.

We can ensure that you receive the answers you need. You can also talk with one of our registered nurses and ask questions. We’re here to help!