title: [Denial of pregnancy].
abstract: With an incidence of 1:500, denial of pregnancy is a rather frequent incident in obstetrics. Strikingly, in our society, this issue is placed under a taboo. Reasons might be our moral values and socialization. Since pregnancy and motherhood have to be associated with joy, other sensations are often perceived as socially not accepted and thus denied. A similar phenomenon exists e. g. with postnatal depression.In all existing studies on denial of pregnancy, it was proven that there are no significant at-risk groups. Instead, it occurs in all social and educated classes and no association with parity was shown.Psychologically, the denial can be understood as an adaptive or anxiety disorder. Unconsciously, it serves as a defense mechanism against intrapsychic conflicts. Reinterpretation of physical changes allow sustained unconscious and thus conflict even in the presence of fetal movements and while body weight and abdominal girth are increasing.Lacking and insufficient preventive examinations increase risks for mother and child. Especially, when delivery takes place without professional help.The earlier the pregnant woman realizes her condition, if necessary with help from a reference person or medical personnel, the lower the risks. This implies to train detection and overcome fear of addressing the woman. After the pregnancy is revealed, the woman needs to be integrated into a social network, which conveys that denial of pregnancy is not a psychotic symptom and occurs more often than assumed. If this succeeds, the perspective for mother and child is favorable.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rott
mesh_terms: D008192:Deception; D003717:Denial, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011275:Pregnancy, Unwanted / Q000523:psychology*