But it's possible for delusions to eventually end. It's possible that something might break through to her. She seems like a well-spoken, patient, and reasonable person from her own words in this very comment section. Regardless of whether she's delusional or not, her story has illustrated some very real problems in…

All I see is a drinking game where you do a shot every time she says "God" and "trust," and then you die.

I don't know what the overlap looks like between doctors and labs. I just kind of assumed that a doctor would be aware of potential variables that could throw off their diagnosis - like if an anomaly exists that can yield inconclusive results. Like how my doctor recommended that I not have a pap smear done because I'm…

I don't recall, but that's why I'm on the pill. I can't afford an IUD, so I'm not even considering it an option. Pills are free *shrug* so that's what I'm doing.

Thanks for letting me know, her perspective is really valuable.

You're right, but since Ruby has gone to such lengths to prove her pregnancy, maybe there is a test that she'd accept as definitive. I mean, she's convinced because of her physical symptoms and her ultrasounds. Since 3 people that won't actually see her as a patient think she *might* have an unusual pregnancy, she's…

Pick a different test, then, anything that isn't something Ruby has already had done a dozen times. The meat of my point is that if doctors are repeatedly using urine and blood tests on a person that doesn't believe they work... of course it's just going to frustrate her further. She's not going to say that if pee…

For what it's worth, re: doctors not being knowledgeable about the Hook Effect, I have a genetic abnormality that affects approximately 1 in 50,000 individuals. It's been researched enough that you can find information about it through a simple Google search. It affects my physical appearance, so if you know what to…

I have my 8 and 20 week ultrasounds on the wall of my office space - it's a sentimental thing, I'll explain if someone cares, but it's not relevant.

If she agreed to take the results as the final answer, though, wouldn't it be worth it to do the procedure?

I can understand that, but it's obviously ridiculous. Sometimes you have to let doctors do what they want to do before you can ask them for what you want.

True :( it seems like this is a lose-lose all around. I really wish she was capable of saying "if you do this, and prove that, then I'll give in and believe you," but you're probably right that she won't settle for anything less than being completely correct in her delusion.

I haven't really looked for a pattern, but now I might!

Well, that's my point. I'm not saying they should do a test for Down's Syndrom for her imaginary baby... Amnio is still done, though it's not a "must have" procedure. I didn't have it done because my baby's measurements were fine and I honestly didn't want to know... but you can still have amnio done and I'm pretty…

That makes a lot of sense to me. I wonder if it would work, or if anyone has tried that with her already.

I have family member that hasn't been the same since their spouse's death. While they're not likely to hurt anyone (they've stated straightforwardly that suicide isn't an option because it's a sin), but they're clearly unstable. They're purposefully negligent of their health and have essentially disappeared from…

That's what I've been struggling with on this. It sounds like she's not being treated well at all, but how likely is it that 20 different doctors are all completely incapable of being compassionate?

Mine is nearly 2 years old and I still feel "phantom kicks," as you put them. It's that same early fluttery alien feeling, not like gas or any other body thing, but I know for sure that my uterus is unoccupied lol. It doesn't happen often at all, but it's happened a few times since baby was born. Now that you mention…

This. And it doesn't help that it's so easy to find information about exceptional cases and unusual medical situations.

I was able to hear my baby's heartbeat by that time with an over-the-counter heartbeat thingie.