What is a phantom pregnancy?

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Phantom Pregnancies

A phantom pregnancy (also known as a false pregnancy, pseudocyesis spurious pregnancy, feigned pregnancy, imaginary pregnancy, hysterical pregnancy, wind in the bowels, or grossesse nerveuse) is where you have many of the signs and symptoms associated with pregnancy but are not pregnant.

Here is some input and advice from FAQ Farmers on the subject:

• I am experiencing what you call "phantom pregnancy". I am having all the symptoms, heartburn,morning sickness, bloating and a missed period. I have taken 3 hpt and a blood test and all of them came up negative. I guess when you worry or wish so much that you can almost "think" yourself to be pregnant.

• I have been having weird phantom pregnancy too, but mine are a little stranger, my husband had a vasectomy three years ago, I have had no missed periods although I am getting more clots and stuff, but I seem to be getting strange kicking movements in my stomach, even my husband can feel some. I have done a pregnancy test which was negative.

• I am currently experiencing what i believe to be a phantom pregnancy, my breasts are producing milk, I'm bloated am constantly tired , legs ache etc. This is the second time this has happened to me i have a 2 year old son & no desire at all to have another child. I don't know why this is happening to me & it is really weird. I also feel like there is a baby in there moving when i know there is not my pregnancy tests are negative but i haven't had a period for nearly 3 months & don't know whether to carry on taking my pill & having sex as i don't know if this will make it better or worse

• I am experiencing nausea, milk production, achy legs, bloated, constantly tired, etc., but am having my period. I am not pregnant. My doctor said that sometimes when hormones are so mixed up (in my case my adrenal gland is on overload) your breasts can produce milk even a year after you've quit nursing. She also said that the body can do all these things before a period.

• I too have been having a phantom pregnancy, I look as though I am about 5 months pregnant, I've been having morning sickness, mood swings, extreme tiredness and my periods have stopped, I'm even having movement in my stomach which my husband and friends can also see, but all the tests have came back negative, I feel like I'm going crazy!

• I can't believe it has happened to me. I've had three urine tests one blood test and one ultra sound today. I couldn't believe I was not pregnant. I look 4 and a half months pregnant. My stomach is huge. I have felt it kicking. my breasts are leaking milk. I have 2 children already so I know the symptoms.I am sort of clucky but we were looking at fostering. now I know phantom pregnancy really exists. I still can't believe I'm not pregnant. I know what it feels like when a baby kicks.

• I get around 4 phantom pregnancies every year for over 10 years and each time they are more psychologically devastating and more realistic. The hospital consultant I was referred to told me he'd never heard of phantom pregnancies. I'm seeing a clinical psychologist to sort it out but I have had 3 since I've been seeing her.

• To all those who say they have taken pregnancy tests after only being 1 week or less and they all come back negative with symptoms: remember that hCG levels progress, and MOST WOMEN do not test positive on a home pregnancy test until the third week after they miss their first period, or almost around the time they should miss a second period because even though you're pregnant, sometimes the pregnancy test isn't sensitive enough to catch the pregnancy in urine that early. Don't automatically assume that you're not really pregnant and you're having a phantom pregnancy, especially this early on. Phantom pregnancies are a tricky subject. The only way to know for sure is to go to an OB/GYN and have a test AND an ultrasound done. This way, the doctor can tell you what is exactly going on. And as an extra note, the symptoms of an ovarian cyst or fibroids often mock those of pregnancy, even to the food craving part which I had whenever I had an ovarian cyst. It is a VERY tricky subject indeed! Again, the only way to know for sure is to go to a doctor and be checked out, especially if a home pregnancy test isn't enough to convince you. Phantom pregnancies MOST OFTEN (not always) occur whenever the woman is CONVINCED that she is pregnant (due to really wanting to be pregnant, the need to be a mother, etc.) even though the tests are all negative and an ultrasound shows no baby. Do a little research and find out more information. =) It can help put your mind at ease before you see a doctor.
• I'm Experiencing A Phantom Pregnancy Now. Ive Missed A Period And I'm Getting All The Symptoms, The Morning Sickness BackAche The Constant Tiredness. Ive Lost Count Of The Home Pregnancy Tests Ive Had, And have got An Appointment With The doctor To Do one Tomorrow. Worst Feeling In The World Because I Can Feel My Tummy stretching And It Feels Like Theres Someone Moving around In There!

• Is it normal to start spotting at 34 weeks pregnant?
• You are 4 weeks pregnant are your hcg levels were 85.7 but dropped to 69 within 48 hours what does this mean?
• You are 4 weeks pregnant and your hcg levels were 85.7 and dropped to 69 within 48 hours what does this mean?