Study aims to discover how often women conceal pregnancies

Research is underway to find out how often women in Ireland conceal their pregnancies.

Such cases can have negative impacts on the health of mothers and babies, and anyone who has concealed a pregnancy in the past, or is currently keeping theirs a secret, is being asked to come forward to be included in the survey.

The study, based at Trinity College Dublin, is being funded by the Health Research Board.

Researcher Sylvia Murphy Tighe said the stereotype of a teenager hiding their pregnancy did not always apply.

"It could be the mother we're meeting at the schoolgate, or a woman in a relationahsip, or a couple," she said.