phantom pregnancy

noun

1. the occurrence of signs of pregnancy, such as enlarged abdomen and absence of menstruation, when no embryo is present, due to hormonal imbalance Also calledfalse pregnancypseudopregnancy Technical namepseudocyesis

Example Sentences

Soon Johnson will be strapped into her straitjacket, his phantom pregnancy of a new deal over.

From The Guardian

We follow Yejide through a phantom pregnancy, infant mortality and a second wife as Adébáyò builds a vivid cast of secondary characters who bear witness and contribute to the disintegration of her marriage.

From The Guardian

Among those she turned to were spiritual “healers” – including one Monsieur Philippe whose interventions only appear to have helped trigger a phantom pregnancy for the Tsarina.

From The Guardian

Duchardt’s second strategy was to admit that although Montgomery was the killer, she was not guilty by reason of insanity – because, he believed, she had been suffering from a phantom pregnancy, or pseudocyesis.

From The Guardian

Barely a couple of weeks ago it was revealed that a notable giant panda in a Taiwanese zoo had staged a phantom pregnancy, only to be rumbled on the ruse when experts gave her an ultrasound.

From The Guardian