Tawana Musvaburi, a 22-year-old from Buckinghamshire, experienced a life-altering revelation when she was rushed to the hospital, fearing a severe health issue. To her astonishment, doctors informed her that she was eight months pregnant, despite having no visible bump or typical pregnancy symptoms.
Musvaburi had been feeling unusually exhausted, to the point where she couldn’t get out of bed. She sensed something was seriously wrong with her body, even fearing she might be dying. An MRI scan at the hospital revealed the unexpected news: she was expecting a baby. This came as a shock since she had not experienced morning sickness, weight gain, or any other common signs of pregnancy.
Just four weeks after this surprising discovery, Musvaburi gave birth to her daughter, River, on February 27, 2023. Reflecting on the experience, she recalls living a typical 20-year-old’s life, filled with partying and drinking, completely unaware of her pregnancy. The news was hard to accept, especially since she had never planned on having children and was terrified by the sudden change in her life.
Musvaburi’s lack of a baby bump and other pregnancy symptoms made the situation even more bewildering. She had actually been losing weight, which further masked the pregnancy. When the nurse informed her of the pregnancy, she struggled to believe it was her baby on the scan.
Breaking the news to her family and friends was another challenge, as many found it hard to believe. The short time frame to prepare for the baby’s arrival added to the stress. However, as the weeks passed, Musvaburi began to come to terms with her new reality. Her body seemed to catch up, helping her accept the situation.
Four weeks and four days after learning about her pregnancy, Musvaburi welcomed River into the world. Initially, the drastic life change was overwhelming, and she experienced some depression. But gradually, she adapted to her new role as a mother, figuring out her new life day by day. Now, she and River are thriving, with Musvaburi embracing parenthood and describing her daughter as bubbly and sassy.
Musvaburi’s story is a striking example of a cryptic pregnancy, a phenomenon where a woman is unaware of her pregnancy until the later stages or even until labor. Cryptic pregnancies are not as rare as one might think, affecting up to 1 in 2,500 pregnancies. There are two types of unknown pregnancies: concealed, where the woman knows but doesn’t tell anyone, and denied, where the woman is unaware or unable to accept the pregnancy.
The absence of a baby bump in some pregnancies can be due to various factors. Women with longer abdomens may have more space for the uterus to develop upwards rather than outwards, resulting in a smaller bump. Additionally, the size of the baby can influence the bump’s appearance, with smaller babies taking up less space.
Some women may also continue to experience what seem like periods during pregnancy. Vaginal bleeding is relatively common and can occur for various reasons, including implantation bleeding or changes in the cervix. Despite the bleeding, many women go on to have normal and successful pregnancies.
Musvaburi’s journey from an unexpected pregnancy discovery to embracing motherhood highlights the complexities and surprises of cryptic pregnancies. Her story serves as a reminder of the diverse experiences women can have during pregnancy and the importance of support and understanding during such life-changing events.
