What is a cryptic pregnancy? Doctor explains

A woman from Cavite had a big plot twist this 2025 when she gave birth to a baby on the same day she found out she was pregnant.

According to Kuya Kim's report on "24 Oras," Tuesday, Frances Miranda experienced stomach pain that she thought was ulcer last March.

When she went to the emergency room and the doctors ordered a pregnancy test via blood, they found out that she was 38 weeks pregnant.

"Sabi nung doctor dun manganganak na daw ako nung araw na 'yun sa isip ko talaga nun safe ba 'yung baby," Frances said.

Dr. Maricar Manuel, an obstetrician-gynecologist said what she experienced is called a cryptic pregnancy. It's a condition where the woman does not realize that she is pregnant due to the lack of symptoms, such a nausea, vomiting, and missed periods.

"Nae-experience lang nila is feeling nila nag-ge-gain sila ng weight na akala nila is normal lang," Manuel said. "Sometimes akala nila nagkakaperiod sila pero hindi talaga to 'yung totoong menstruation nila."

"Bagkus ito ay usual na mga bleeding ng for example implantation bleeding siya kung saan nag-i-implant na 'yung fertilized na ovum dun sa matres ng isang babae," she added.

This aligns with what Frances said about her own experience.

"Wala naman po akong napansin na signs nun, hindi rin po nagsuka nun, wala rin po akong cravings tapos 'yung tiyan ko nun parang bloated lang," she said.

Cryptic pregnancy is uncommon, but not extremely rare. According to Manuel, studies show that one in 500 women only find out they're pregnant at 20 weeks or five months. One in 2,500 women are like Frances: they discover the pregnancy only in the late trimester or on the day of labor.

While not rare, finding out about the pregnancy too late carries risks for the baby.

"Nandyan 'yung kakulangan sa timbang ni baby dulot ng hindi pag-inom ng mga prenatal vitamins and supplements, nagkakaroon ng preterm labor so lalabas 'yung baby kulang pa sa buwan. Puwede siyang magkaroon ng infection," Manuel said.

Frances' baby, which she named Zariah, turned out to be normal and she is now doing well. —MGP, GMA Integrated News