Medical Experts Clarify That Pregnancy Addiction Is Not a Real Diagnosis

Paediatrician Mansi Jasrotia recently shared a video featuring a woman named Karen who announced she is pregnant with her 18th child and stated that she loves the experience of pregnancy. In the video, Karen describes craving her baby bump and feeling depressed when she is not pregnant, using the term pregnancy addiction to explain her feelings. However, Dr Pavitra Shankar, an associate consultant and psychiatrist at Aakash Healthcare, states that pregnancy addiction is not an official medical or psychiatric diagnosis. Dr Shankar explains that wanting to become pregnant repeatedly does not mean someone has an addiction.

Emotional Reasons

Pregnancy can give a person a strong sense of purpose, emotional fulfilment, identity, and connection. For some women, a past positive pregnancy creates strong links to feelings of love, acceptance, or security. At the same time, Dr Shankar notes that complicated emotional factors can play a role, including guilt after a miscarriage or infertility, relationship troubles, social pressure to become a mother, or other unresolved emotional experiences. These personal reasons vary for everyone and should not be assumed without a proper check.

When to Seek Help

Dr Shankar points out that a persistent emotional shift when someone is not pregnant is worth exploring. If a woman feels empty, distressed, or anxious when she is not pregnant, it helps to understand what pregnancy emotionally represents for her. However, feeling low between pregnancies does not automatically point to a specific mental health condition, as sadness can happen for other reasons too. Professional support is recommended if thoughts about pregnancy become hard to control, disrupt relationships or daily life, or lead to repeated pregnancies despite personal, medical, or emotional challenges.