What happens during a phantom pregnancy?

Answer 1

Phantom PregnanciesA phantom pregnancy (also known as a false pregnancy, pseudocyesis spurious 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.
• 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!
• I think i am experiancing a phantom pregnancy. I had a miscarraige three weeks ago but i still am having symptons but could do with some advic as its really upsetting me as i am convincing myself i am still pregnant. I am producing collostrum from my right breast, my stomach is ever increasing to swell, i look about five to six months gone, i feel movement like bubble or slight kicks, pregnancy test are negative. Please someone advise me that this is normal as i feel like i am going nuts!!!!.....
• I think i am experiancing a phantom pregnancy, my periods are normally on time but this month they were nearly 2 weeks late i did some tests and they came up positive! i have been having the morning sickness and the tiredness i remember what it was like as already had a son so i remember everything that happend with last pregnancy!i really thought i was preggers then on Sunday i started bleeding and there was cots and everything ( sorry tmi ) i spent the whole day in hospital they did 4 urine samples and a blood test but they all came back negative, they said that there was no chance that i had had a mc!! i don't understand it i truly thought i was preggers and noone can explain what is going on!! can anyone help me please im so confused and feel like everyone is laughing at me!!

Answer 2

The exact causes of phantom pregnancy are actually still unknown. It is thought that it is simply the body tricking a person into thinking that they are pregnant.
Either being desperate to be pregnant and being unable to get pregnant, or having had sex and being really guilty about it.

Answer 3

A phantom pregnancy is when a woman thinks she is pregnant, though all tests are negative and possess all pregnancy symptoms ( swollen/tender breasts, frequent urination, weight gain, nausea, etc.). Basically they full their body into thinking it is pregnant. Some women will have a phantom pregnancy for up to seven months and even admit to feeling the "baby" kick, even though nothing is really there.