What is silent pregnancy and what are the risks to mother and baby

Although not very common, silent pregnancy can happen. Usually, the woman only knows about the pregnancy shortly before the baby is born or even at the time of delivery. To clarify the matter, gynecologist and obstetrician Dr. Regina Amarante (CRM 142513), from the São Camilo Hospital Network in SP, explained what silent pregnancy is and its potential risks. Check out!

Is it possible to be pregnant and not have symptoms?

According to the obstetrician, in silent pregnancy, the woman only realizes that she is pregnant a little before the baby is born or, in some cases, at the time of delivery. That is, pregnancy is not identified before the third trimester.

In addition, the signs of a common pregnancy, such as “missed period, breast pain, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, distention and pelvic pain do not always appear in all pregnant women. Therefore, sometimes, a woman is pregnant and does not realize it, especially if she has menstrual irregularities or recurrent uterine bleeding, which can be confused with menstruation”, informed the specialist.

Also, women who suffer from polycystic ovaries can go months without menstruating and, usually, this disease makes pregnancy difficult, which can come as a surprise to the woman to discover that she is pregnant.

Another example cited by the doctor: “it occurs in obese patients, because, perhaps, the growth of the belly is not noticed”. In addition, there are psychological factors, “when a woman is not in a balanced mental health, she may not notice and not identify the changes in her body”, she concluded.

What are the risks of silent pregnancy?

The risks of silent pregnancy are linked to the health of the mother and the healthy development of the baby. According to Dr. Regina, “the greatest danger is the lack of prenatal care, as it prevents complications for both mother and baby.”

In addition, as the obstetrician pointed out, “when a woman does not know she is pregnant, she may use substances that can be toxic to the baby, such as chemicals for the body, use of medications, ingestion of alcohol, drugs and smoking. . Alcohol and cigarettes are prohibited substances during pregnancy.”

According to the specialist, “Studies show that the use of these substances bring perinatal and fetal consequences to the binomial, such as placental vasoconstriction, abortion, placental abruption, cardiovascular diseases, congenital malformations, lower oxygen and nutrients supply, fetal alcohol syndrome and growth deficit. ”. Therefore, it is essential that the pregnant woman performs prenatal care for periodic monitoring.

Why not doing prenatal care is dangerous?

According to the obstetrician, “prenatal care is essential to prevent and diagnose diseases that can affect the baby’s development and bring risks to the mother’s health”. In this way, it is possible to identify fetal problems, such as malformation and health problems that may occur with the pregnant woman, such as anemia, diabetes, high blood pressure, syphilis, preeclampsia, among others.

Bonus: Is it possible to know if you are pregnant through your belly?

Pregnancy can be observed through the belly in some situations, because “thin patients can perceive the growth of the uterus and, from the fifth month onwards, the pregnant woman perceives the baby’s movements”, explained the obstetrician.

Therefore, it is extremely important that the woman visits the gynecologist, especially if there is an irregularity in the menstrual cycle. In addition, gynecological exams should be performed annually or according to medical advice for prevention. Enjoy and learn more about psychological pregnancy, how to identify and avoid this condition.