The Zoonotic Relationship in Pseudopregnancy

Clarifying the Distinction

Pseudo-pregnancy is not an infectious process. It is driven by internal hormonal fluctuations rather than by an external pathogen. Consequently, there is no mechanism by which pseudo-pregnancy could be transmitted between animals or from animals to humans. There is no evidence linking this condition to any zoonotic risk.

Pseudo-pregnancy is primarily a concern in terms of animal welfare. There is no need for public health interventions related to pseudo-pregnancy, unlike zoonotic diseases that require strict control measures to prevent cross-species transmission.

---

But, does it occur in Humans?

Yes, it does. Pseudo-pregnancy in humans - often referred to as pseudocyesis or false pregnancy - is a rare but well - documented phenomenon in which an individual exhibits many of the physical signs and symptoms of pregnancy despite not actually carrying a fetus. These signs can include amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), abdominal enlargement, breast changes, weight gain, and even sensations that mimic fetal movement.

---

Causes of pseudocyesis

The causes of pseudocyesis in humans are multifactorial, intertwining psychological, endocrine, and social factors. Here are some of the key contributors:

Psychological Factors

• Intense Desire or Fear of Pregnancy:
  Individuals with a strong wish to conceive or, conversely, a deep-seated fear of pregnancy may develop pseudocyesis. The emotional and psychological stress associated with these conflicting feelings can trigger the body’s hormonal pathways to mimic pregnancy symptoms.
• Psychosomatic Response:
  The mind-body connection is powerful. Psychological stress or trauma - often related to infertility, previous pregnancy loss, or societal pressures - can lead to real physical changes such as abdominal distension, breast changes, and even perceived fetal movements.

Endocrine and Neuro-hormonal Factors

• Hormonal Imbalances:
  Studies suggest that alterations in levels of hormones such as prolactin, estrogen, and progesterone play a role. For instance, increased prolactin levels (which also occur in lactation) and disturbances in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis can produce the physical signs of pregnancy.
• Neuro-endocrine Dysregulation:
  Stress-induced changes in the neuroendocrine system may lead to a cascade of hormonal responses that mimic the normal physiological changes of pregnancy.

Social and Cultural Factors

• Societal Pressure:
  In some cultures, the pressure to bear children is immense. This pressure - coupled with the stigma associated with infertility - can intensify psychological stress, potentially triggering pseudocyesis.
• Emotional Isolation and Relationship Issues:
  Difficulties in personal relationships, grief, or feelings of inadequacy regarding fertility can contribute to the development of a false pregnancy.

The above insights come from decades of clinical observation and research in both psychiatry and endocrinology, painting a picture of a condition where the mind and body are so closely connected that emotional states can produce tangible physiological effects.

---

Recorded accounts of pseudocyesis

A Royal Mystery: Queen Mary I of England:

A very popular or unpopular case thought today by experts to be pseudocyesis is the case of Queen Mary the First (Bloody Mary) who was married to Philip of Spain in 1554, Mary displayed all the physical signs of pregnancy, including weight gain and abdominal distension, which sparked widespread hope for a Catholic heir. However, despite public celebrations and the anticipation of a royal birth, no child was delivered when by mid - 1555, her abdomen began to recede and it was later determined no fetus ever developed. The intense emotional pressure to produce an heir, combined with personal grief and possibly underlying medical issues, likely triggered these false pregnancies. Her case is attributed as one of the examples of how physiological and societal pressures can have a profound influence on physical health.

Early Medical Observations:

Medical literature dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries contains descriptions of women who, driven by an intense desire for motherhood or under significant societal pressures, exhibited clear signs of pregnancy without a confirmed gestation. Early clinicians noted that these women would present with a full range of physical symptoms - from breast engorgement to abdominal distension - and even report fetal-like movements, despite repeated examinations that found no evidence of an embryo or fetus.

The Case of “M.R.” at Salpêtrière

One of the earliest well-documented cases comes from the 19th-century French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot at the Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris. In his lectures, Charcot described a patient - referred to only by her initials, “M.R.” - who, following a personal tragedy, began exhibiting full-term pregnancy signs. Despite her abdominal enlargement, lactation, and reported fetal movements, repeated examinations and emerging imaging technologies of the time confirmed that no embryo was present. Charcot’s account was influential in establishing that intense psychological stress and deep-seated longing for a child can trigger neuroendocrine changes, effectively “tricking” the body into mimicking pregnancy.

Freud’s and Janet’s Analytic Accounts

In the early 20th century, the psycho-analytic giants Sigmund Freud and Pierre Janet explored pseudocyesis through the lens of the mind - body connection. Freud recounted several instances (often anonymized) where women’s overwhelming desire for motherhood or the pain of infertility produced genuine physical symptoms of pregnancy. Although these cases remain shrouded in clinical anonymity, Freud and Janet argued that the psychological conflict - stemming from both conscious and unconscious emotional drives - can lead the body to respond as if it were truly pregnant. Their work emphasized that the phenomenon was not merely an oddity, but rather a clear example of how powerful psychological forces can shape physical health.

Documented Clinical Cases:

Recent case reports in obstetrics and psychiatry journals continue to document instances of pseudocyesis. These accounts often involve patients who have experienced significant life stressors, such as infertility, previous pregnancy loss, or intense societal pressure to bear children. In some cases, the condition even progresses to what has been termed “pseudo-delivery,” where the individual experiences labor-like symptoms without actual childbirth. Treatment is usually multifaceted - addressing both the psychological factors through therapy and, when necessary, the hormonal imbalances through medical intervention.

A Window into the Emotional World

Several patient narratives from recent years—shared in support groups and case studies—reveal the profound emotional impact of pseudocyesis. Many women describe experiencing a rollercoaster of hope, despair, and eventual relief when the true nature of their condition is discovered. One woman recounted how her body “betrayed” her: after years of longing for a child, her body began showing all the signs of pregnancy, leading her family to celebrate. When medical tests revealed that she was not pregnant, the psychological aftermath was as challenging as the physical symptoms had been. These personal stories remind us that pseudocyesis is not simply a medical anomaly, but a deeply emotional and sometimes traumatic experience that intertwines the physical and psychological aspects of womanhood.

---

When False Pregnancies Fuel Fraud: The Nigerian “Miracle Baby” Scam

Now, here’s where our tale takes a dark twist. In certain regions of Nigeria, unscrupulous operators have taken the concept of pseudo-pregnancy and warped it into an elaborate scam. Desperate, childless women - burdened by cultural pressure and personal longing are duped into believing they are miraculously pregnant. They receive injections of an undisclosed “miracle serum” that induces all the outward signs of pregnancy. Then, when labor is artificially induced with additional drugs, the “miracle” culminates in the delivery of a baby. But here’s the cruel twist: the baby isn’t the hopeful mother’s biological child at all. Instead, it is sourced from a vulnerable young girl exploited by human traffickers. Subsequent investigations have exposed this fraudulent network, linking it to broader “baby factory” and child trafficking schemes in the region. Video: Here

While in the animal world pseudo-pregnancy is merely a quirky, non-infectious misfire, here it becomes the centerpiece of a high-stakes fraud. It’s a case of false hope on one side and heartbreaking exploitation on the other.

---

Why It Matters to Vets and Beyond

For veterinary professionals, pseudo-pregnancy is a familiar, albeit sometimes perplexing, part of life in the clinic. We diagnose it with a nod and treat it with care, knowing that our furry patients are simply caught in a hormonal loop. But when the same term is applied to a human scam, it forces us to confront a harsh reality: false signals whether in our pets or in human society can lead to real harm.

The “miracle baby” scam in Nigeria is a grim reminder that while pseudo-pregnancy itself remains non-zoonotic and harmless in its natural form, its misappropriation can become a tool for criminal exploitation. It’s a cautionary tale that underscores the importance of vigilance, education, and cross-disciplinary awareness. Whether you’re a vet deciphering a dog’s hormonal quirks or a concerned citizen scrutinizing miracle cures, it’s vital to ask: Is it genuine biology or a clever ruse designed to deceive?

---

Tying It All Together

Whether it’s a dog experiencing a benign hormonal glitch, a woman enduring the psychological and physiological roller coaster of pseudocyesis, or a criminal network exploiting false pregnancies for profit, the story of pseudo-pregnancy is as multifaceted as it is fascinating. It highlights nature’s ability to misfire in unexpected ways and, unfortunately, shows how those same mis-firings can be manipulated by human greed.

At The Vet Vortex, we celebrate the oddities of animal physiology while also acknowledging that the same phenomena can reverberate through human history and even fuel modern-day scams. So next time you encounter a “pregnant” pooch or read about phantom pregnancies in medical journals, remember: behind every false pregnancy, whether natural or engineered, lies a complex tale of biology, psychology, and sometimes, all-too-human deceit.

Stay curious, stay skeptical, and as always - keep those tails wagging and those hearts open (but maybe double-check your miracle cures before you take the plunge).

Check out previous post -  The Curious Case of “Pseudo Pregnancy” in Avians: When the Hen Plays Mother