To sways be a little dubious when women claim they didn't know they were pregnant?

[missduff]

I'm talking women who give birth in their bathroom and claim they went through being pregnant for 9 months without having the foggiest.

I know some women don't get symptoms like sickness etc, I can believe women who maybe reach say 5 months or so. And I know some women don't get bumps, I've seen that myself, but come on...how can any woman not feel a 7lb baby moving around inside them? Or to think that when an elbow is poking out and wriggling around that it's just wind? Or when they shift from one side of your stomach to the other? Really just wind is it?

I remember when I was about 5 months pregnant with DS his dad complaining cos he couldn't sleep because of the vibrations coming off the bed from baby kicking. Bump wasn't even touching him and he could still feel it. Surely that kind of thing must happen to everyone whether u have a bump or not?

I know a load of you will give me your stories of ''it happened to my friend'' but i just really really struggle to really believe them.

[OnlyANinja]

Thanks for the link Kenobi - I am now reading all of those articles :)

[LetsKateWin]

Stranded,
I really love your story. I too cried at the bit where your mum brought all the stuff to the hospital. I'm you missed out on the whole pregnancy experience, but pleased things have worked out.

Best of luck for your degree.

[Kenobi]

The journalist Zoe Williams got to 5 months with her second without realising. www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/mar/13/anti-natal-zoe-williams

[notveryinventive]

I once temped for someone in their later stages on maternity leave. They were at work on the friday and was complaining of bad period pains, went home that night ran a bath and out popped a baby. So she had to ring work on the monday morning and explain she wasnt going in due to having a baby no-one knew about.

Lovely story stranded.

[LauraShigihara]

My cousin, who has a very large family, had periods all the way through her (as I recall) fifth pregnancy and no symptoms until very late. She really is a very clued-up woman with lots of experience but really didn't know that she was pregnant with this one until around seven months.

And many years ago, I had a friend with two daughters who was very concerned that her periods had become lighter and then stopped. She was wsorried about having an early menopause because she and her husband wanted another baby. The GP was mystified as all tests were negative.

After the doctor had sent her for a precautionary scan, she announced to a stunned toddler-group crowd that she was seven months pregnant. Seriously, she was wearing jeans and teeshirt and there was no bump. And she hadn't felt the baby move at all.

[nizlopi]

I didn't find out I was pregnant with my son until I was 17 weeks gone. Sorry if that makes you think I'm a liar though OP

[AteAWholePacketOfBiccys]

Just wanted to add he was nearly 10lb when he was born. So not a tiny baby.

[AteAWholePacketOfBiccys]

I didn't know I was pregnant with my first son until I was 20+ weeks.
I was still only a size 6 and my tummy was completely flat. (Sadly I am not size 6 now and my tummy really is not flat)
I had periods, no symptoms. Couldn't feel the baby move at all.
I had no idea at all.
I am not stupid and not lying.
I don't think any woman would want to risk the baby in anyway by not getting medical care or by not taking care of herself and the baby.
It was a lovely shock! We all adore him and we are so glad he is here.

[Littlepurpleprincess]

Stranded Your story is amazing. I am the complete polar opposite. Currently 5 weeks and feel like I've been hit by a bus! Your family's reaction made me cry. It's amazing how much people love to step in and help with newborns isn't it? I was a teen mum and overwhelmed at how kind some family members were. I hardly had to buy a thing!

[NotTheBlinkingGruffaloAgain]

This is an amazing story mind blowing!- you would NEVER have been able to tell (quite scary actually!)
Well done! strandedbear what have you found were the benefits of not knowing?
wishing you all the best

[georgethecat]

Hi strandedbear, amazing story & pics. Don't want to freak you out but whats also amazing is that I could tell you went to D Uni from the minging curtains from the halls......I had a weird uni flashback!

[slowburner]

I didn't show at all until I was well past 5 months with DD, I'm tall and slim too, not much room to hide a baby.

Yabu!

[TapirBackRider]

It happend to my MIL - she went to the dr to find out why her periods had stopped, and found out that she was 8 months pregnant. No morning sickness, no weight gain or baby belly, nowt.

[Poley]

You sound marvellous, Stranded. Well done you x

[startail]

It happens. Large 20 year old trying vaguely to diet. Put tiredness down to the effects of glandular fever. Had periods through out. Not a clue until she went in to labour. Absolutely not the sort of person to hide it and not have AN care.

[entropygirl]

What an amazing thread!

I have always wondered about this and it is so interesting to hear from people who have experienced it.

Pregnancy is just such an individual experience - it bends the mind!

[FightsWithMonsters]

These stories are just crazy! I can't imagine giving birth with no notice. You would think you were dying, wouldn't you?

It obviously must be denial for some people but the right circumstances could definitely hide a pregnancy. I'm a size six normally but I have very big hips. I could fit in a lot of size ten clothes at nine months. I think my stomach got to 34 inches around at it's biggest. Nobody gave up their bastarding seat on the bus for me, I can tell you that!

I know someone else who didn't feel a single kick their whole pregnancy too. The placenta was in the way.

Madness!

I'm freaking out a tiny bit now because I haven't had a period since giving up breastfeeding four months ago. I did a pregnancy test last week and it was negative but this thread is giving me the fear!

[MissVerinder]

Wow, stranded that is amazing! As an aside, you live near me too, so if ever you're stuck for ote, give us a nudge.

Also, my friend at work had her baby in her bathroom. 41, admittedly rather rubenesque; we had been to KFC for lunch from work the day before. I got a phone call the following afternoon which went

"MissV, are you ok after that KFC yesterday?"
"Yep, why?"
"Well, apparently I just gave birth"
(me laughing at what I think is a poo joke) "You're gross"
"No, I really did. I'm in the maternity ward now."

She had him in the toilet (thought she had food poisoning) and took him to her elderly NDN who called an ambulance.

Poor woman was so shocked, they made her stay in hospital for 5 days; neighbours and colleagues all clubbed together and got her everything she needed to get started.

NDN also cleaned up the bathroom, stair carpet and hallway for when they got back home- apparently she was losing a lot of blood after he appeared.

[Whatevertheweather]

ilovesprouts that must have been very very scary. Thank goodness your mum found you.

[redpanda13]

It nearly happened to my mum. She had anorexia and her periods had not been regular for years. She had started to improve a bit and then my grandad died. I remember going shopping with her and not buying a dress because my stomach stuck out a lot more than her stomach. I was a size 8 then and my mum must have been 6 months pregnant. She only found out when her ankles started to swell. Doctor sent her straight to hospital and they told her she had a month to go. Two weeks later she gave birth. Unlike Stranded my mum handed me her card and off I went to Mothercare to buy everything a baby needs.
One reason she went to the doctors was the swelling but also she had some "chest pains". She thought it might be related to her eating and did'nt want to worry us. Doctor reckons she was carrying my sister so high that was her kicking.

[Tanyaaah]

I know someone this happened to as well. She 'd had a baby already and looked a bit pregnant. Doctor told her she wasn't and it was just baby weight she hadn't lost. Carried on drinking etc then one day had a baby! Don't know more details, but she definitely didn't know.

[Lareine]

OMG Stranded!
The white shirt pic has really got to me... like, your boobs still stick out further than your bump!
I'm pretty skinny with 32E boobs but both times my bump stuck out further than my boobs from 12 weeks

[ilovesprouts]

this happend to me ,i was still having my periods etc ,went to bed one night ,fast forward a few days woke up not a clue were i was i was in icu tied to a bed my mum found me having a fit ,got me to hosp found owt i had eclampsia ,was about 32 wks gone ,nearly died ,at one point the said we may not be able to save both ,and 10 days later wen i woke up they said here is your son , my son is now 22 they is his pic on my profile ,so yes it does happen