
Are you feeling pregnant, but your pregnancy tests are negative? The experience of feeling pregnant when trying to get pregnant isn’t uncommon. In fact, if you have spent any time on fertility message boards or perhaps have joined an infertility support group, you are bound to hear members refer to “imaginary pregnancy symptoms” or IPS.
Imaginary Pregnancy Symptoms (IPS)
If you have been trying to get pregnant for a while, you probably have experienced imaginary pregnancy symptoms yourself. You are not alone…
Imaginary Pregnancy Symptoms are simply what the term sounds like; they are symptoms that a woman experiences that make her think that she might be pregnant. Your doctor will not use the term IPS, however, as it is not an official technical/medical term. The phrase was actually invented on fertility message boards and blogs around the world as a loving and caring way to refer to those “symptoms” that make you feel pregnant.
The time between ovulation and your expected period start date is when you are most likely to be worried about whether or not this is THE month for successful conception. It is natural to imagine experiencing some early pregnancy symptoms, such as fatigue, light cramping, tender breasts, bloating, emotional sensitivity, and even food cravings. The desire to be pregnant can often be so intense that you are positive you can feel it.
The Role of Hormones in Reproduction
Believe it or not, these feelings aren’t completely imaginary – it is definitely not all in your head. They are actually real reactions to the hormones in your body that are preparing for possible pregnancy. Our bodies are naturally optimistic when it comes to potential pregnancy; as soon as ovulation occurs, the body starts preparing for new life, even if conception does not actually happen.
There are several hormones responsible for the variety of imaginary pregnancy symptoms, including progesterone, which increases just after ovulation and drops when your period comes (if you’re not pregnant). If you are taking fertility drugs, you may also experience side effects that can sometimes be mistaken for early pregnancy symptoms. Unfortunately, the symptoms of early pregnancy are practically indistinguishable from normal premenstrual symptoms.
Focus on the Facts
While your “pregnant feelings” aren’t totally imaginary, you can and will feel worse the more you focus on those feelings. Remind yourself that whether you feel pregnant or not, those feelings really don’t mean a thing. There are some women who are absolutely sure they are pregnant, complete with throwing up in the morning, and then they find out they are not. There are other women who feel nothing at all and who are completely surprised to find out they are pregnant. The only way to know if you’re pregnant is to complete the 2-week wait and then take a pregnancy test when your period is overdue.
For information regarding infertility (treatment and support) in the Houston area, be sure to contact the Center of Reproductive Medicine (CORM). The reproductive specialists and friendly staff at the Center of Reproductive Medicine are well known for their high level of success in helping couples to conceive. At CORM, our professional staff is committed to providing the highest quality reproductive medicine, ensuring the best care possible is given to every patient/couple undergoing infertility treatment.
Note: Imaginary pregnancy symptoms (IPS) is not referring to the very serious condition called pseudocyesis, a psychological condition where a woman really believes that she is pregnant when actually she is not. This is completely different than the normal experience of feeling that you may be pregnant, even if you aren’t, during the 2-week wait.