Released on: 20 September 2012

Belinda Phipps, Chief Executive for NCT, the UK’s largest charity for parents, said: 

“Most of us put on two or three stone (28-42lbs) while we are pregnant and by the end of pregnancy feel very much as though it is dominating our entire being, so it would be hard to get to the later stages of pregnancy and not realise it.

“However, the symptoms of pregnancy vary in their intensity from one woman to another and bump size can also differ a lot.  If you are young or in your forties when the pattern of your periods may vary and you may be experiencing other physical changes, it is easier not to realise you are pregnant.  Also if you don’t expect to be pregnant, are busy and stressful or in a life or death situation, you may be so focused on what is happening in your life that you don’t spot or put to the back of your mind the signs of pregnancy you may be experiencing. 

“It is very unusual for this to happen and not having had care during pregnancy can make this more risky for mum and baby.”

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