Pregnancy denial: a complex symptom with life context as a trigger? A prospective case–control study*

Delong, Hannah; Eutrope, Julien; Thierry, A; Sutter-Dallay, Anne-Laure; Vulliez, L; Gubler, V; Saint-Gilles, S Saad; Tessier, Emmanuelle; Foll, Julie Le; Viaux, Sylvie; Apter, Gisèle; Danion, Anne; Auer, Julie; Rolland, A-C

doi:10.1111/1471-0528.16853

Cited by 13 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Risk factors inherent to interpersonal relationships are: premarital conception [18,19], unmarried status [18,19], and not being in a committed relationship [20]. Among clinical risk factors, having a history of psychiatric disorders [20] or substance abuse have also been linked to DoP. Using contraceptive methods, mainly oral contraceptives might also constitute a risk factor [20].…”

Section: Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among clinical risk factors, having a history of psychiatric disorders [20] or substance abuse have also been linked to DoP. Using contraceptive methods, mainly oral contraceptives might also constitute a risk factor [20]. Lastly, previous late declarations of pregnancy, personal past DoP, and past DoP in the family have been acknowledged as possible risk factors for DoP [20].…”

Section: Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Using contraceptive methods, mainly oral contraceptives might also constitute a risk factor [20]. Lastly, previous late declarations of pregnancy, personal past DoP, and past DoP in the family have been acknowledged as possible risk factors for DoP [20]. DoP has also been linked to a number of psychological conflicts, such as repressed sexuality, religious prohibitions, fear of abandonment, anticipation of losing custody of the children, resentment of the baby's father, and problematic relationships with their mother [21,22].…”

Section: Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Examples include an incestuous and violent family structure, excessive parental exhibitionism, or neglect of physical necessities [24]. DoP is often characterized by either the lack of the physical signs of pregnancy or by the woman's misinterpretation of those very signs [17,20]. The absence of typical pregnancy symptoms could be the result of a "somatic denial", hiding the pregnancy from consciousness.…”

Section: Classifications and Diagnostic Hypothesesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among known risk factors for DoP are younger age [18–20], social isolation [18, 19], low socio‐economic status [18, 19], poor education [20], low intelligence [18, 19], and immaturity [18, 19]. Risk factors inherent to interpersonal relationships are: premarital conception [18, 19], unmarried status [18, 19], and not being in a committed relationship [20]. Among clinical risk factors, having a history of psychiatric disorders [20] or substance abuse have also been linked to DoP.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Denial of pregnancy and neonaticide: A historical overview and case report

Sablone

Margari

Donno

et al. 2023

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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While denial of pregnancy and neonaticide are rare, they are potentially associated and share some risk factors. Neonaticide has been proposed as the extreme outcome of a denial of pregnancy. However, the process leading to such a possible outcome is not yet fully understood. The primary goal of this essay is to examine the various definitions and ambiguities surrounding the denial of pregnancy. The case of a young woman with a history of two denied pregnancies with diverse characteristics and outcomes, the latest of which resulted in neonaticide, is then reported and examined. A forensic psychiatric evaluation was also performed to reconstruct the woman's mental state at the time of the crime. The forensic pathological analysis of the newborn, abandoned near the sea while still alive, is described. The victim's body showed signs of shaken baby syndrome. We contend that differing levels of awareness during a denial of pregnancy might not be predictive of the potential delivery outcome in terms of threat to the newborn's survival, according to the forensic pathological and psychopathological data of the current case. Early identification of women affected by denial of pregnancy who pose a danger of committing infanticide is hampered by both intrinsic traits (dissimulation, unawareness, low propensity to seek assistance) and environmental factors (isolation, low socioeconomic level, poor education.). A previous history of denial of pregnancy should activate health and support services to reduce the potential risks for the mother and the child.

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Section: Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Classifications and Diagnostic Hypothesesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Denial of pregnancy and neonaticide: A historical overview and case report

Sablone

Margari

Donno

et al. 2023

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Denial of reproductive potential: a predictor of unperceived pregnancy in an Austrian neonaticide sample

Klier,

Ina,

Kuipers

et al. 2024

Arch Womens Ment Health

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Purpose This study aims to describe the phenomenon of unperceived pregnancy followed by neonaticide with a focus on the lack of awareness of reproductive potential in an Austrian sample. Methods An explorative comparative study of neonaticide cases with single and repeat perpetrators was conducted using nationwide register-based data from 1995 to 2017. A total number of 55 cases out of 66 were included in the analysis. A standardized coding sheet was used and calculations were performed. Results 48 women gave birth to 101 children, of which 55 were killed, 23 children lived out of home care and 23 lived with the perpetrator We found a higher fertility rate in both neonaticide perpetrators in the single (1,9) and the repeat group (4,25) in comparison to the general population (1,4). The use of contraception was only 31% among neonaticide perpetrators, deviating substantially from the general Austrian population age group (16-29yrs) which used contraception in 91%. The neonaticide perpetrators used an effective contraception method (pearl-index < 4) in only 2%, whereas 20% of the general population did so. The number of unperceived pregnancies was high in both groups (50/55) 91%. Conclusion Future case reports and forensic evaluations should take reproductive behavior into account, as it may offer valuable insights into the events leading up to neonaticide. Our findings suggest that denial of reproductive potential often precedes unperceived pregnancies. In the Austrian cohort, women who experienced unperceived pregnancies resulting in unassisted births and subsequent neonaticide showed a low prevalence of contraceptive use. This is particularly noteworthy given that the primary motive for neonaticide is unwanted pregnancy.

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Pregnancy Denial: Toward a New Understanding of the Underlying Mechanisms

Chechko,

Losse,

Nehls

2023

Curr Psychiatry Rep

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Purpose of Review Pregnancy denial is the lack of awareness of being pregnant. The aim of the review is to understand why the affected women do not recognize the signs of pregnancy. Recent Findings Twelve case reports of pregnancy denial were published in the last ten years. While in five cases the women had an underlying mental disorder, the rest of the cases involved women who either exhibited no physical symptoms or perceived themselves to be not pregnant despite the symptoms (i.e., repression mechanisms). Summary Pregnancy denial is considered to be a pathological issue, a likely consequence of trauma, the wish to not have a child, or a psychiatric problem. However, it appears that the majority of cases cannot be linked to any of the above reasons. We argue, therefore, that, in most cases, pregnancy denial is not associated with mental or physiological problems. Under certain circumstances, it can affect any woman.

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Pregnancy denial: a complex symptom with life context as a trigger? A prospective case–control study*

Cited by 13 publications

References 22 publications

Denial of pregnancy and neonaticide: A historical overview and case report

Denial of pregnancy and neonaticide: A historical overview and case report

Denial of reproductive potential: a predictor of unperceived pregnancy in an Austrian neonaticide sample

Pregnancy Denial: Toward a New Understanding of the Underlying Mechanisms

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