"False" Pregnancy

Posted By Robin on November 04, 1998 at 17:27:07:







Please tell me, what is a "False" pregnancy?  My sister in law was just informed that she had one.  She had a positive urine  prenancy test two months ago and was told by her doctor a week ago that her uterus was the size of a 10 week pregnancy.  However, this week she began to spot bleed and the doctor did an ultrasound.  He discovered that the sac was there but no baby.  She had to have a D & C today, and is very upset.   Can you tell me what this is and what causes it?  Was there a baby at all?  Did she miscarry?  Why did the sac form and her uterus grow if there was no baby?  Why did she have a positive pregnancy test?  Is this common?  I was unable to find any information about this on the Internet, any information would be very much appreciated.  Thank you!