Phantom pregnancy
Phantom Pregnancy - or Pseudocyesis - is a fairly uncommon condition, usually triggered by a strong desire or need for motherhood. Even though conception has not taken place, all the signs mimic genuine pregnancy: menstrual periods cease, morning sickness strikes, the abdomen becomes enlarged and the breasts swell and even produce milk. The uterus and cervix can also show signs of pregnancy and urine tests may be falsely positive.
Even more astounding, in many cases of Phantom Pregnancy, reports of foetal movement have also been observed. The symptoms are so convincing - as are the women who believe they are truly pregnant - that the doctors are often completely baffled.
Ghost stories
Phantom Pregnancies are still often seen in animals, but in women, the incidence of this once fairly common condition has been dramatically reduced. This is thanks to the development of modern prenatal care and improvements in the early diagnosis of pregnancy.
The condition affects both sexes and all races, throughout the world. But it seems to be more common in women who are immature, histrionic or dependent. Women who have suffered from infertility, miscarriage or severe relationship difficulties, are also more likely to be affected.
Women through the ages have been affected by this psychosomatic phenomenon - the most famous case was that of Mary I Queen of England (1553-1558 AD).
When Mary became the wife of Philip of Spain she believed their union to be a true love match - not a political partnership as with many other important marriages of the time. But Philip was really after a son who would unite their countries. With so much pressure, it's hardly surprising that Mary was the victim of a Phantom Pregnancy.
Mary was elated, as were the people surrounding her, and for a long time nobody suspected her condition. Although false pregnancies rarely go to term, in her case it lasted even longer. Even when her due date came and went, Mary merely thought she had miscalculated. Eventually it became apparent there was to be no heir, and Mary fell into a depression.
A year and a half later, Mary again became 'pregnant'. But this time no-one took it seriously and it only lasted for two or three months. Mary was brokenhearted and died shortly afterwards.
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