Dear Cr-Abby from Trisha in Ohio

EVEN EXPERIENCED MOMS CAN BE SURPRISED BY PREGNANCYDEAR CR-ABBY: I am a nurse, writing in response to the letter from "Flabbergasted Parents in New Mexico" (July 19). I have worked in small community hospitals and in the emergency rooms of trauma centers in larger cities. Over the years, I have seen many young ladies in their early 20s come into the ER with abdominal pain. When asked if there is a "possibility" that they could be pregnant, they say no. Even after a pelvic exam, when they are being taken up to labor and delivery, they deny they are having a baby.This is like a pseudo-pregnancy, where the person thinks she is pregnant and has all the symptoms but isn't, in REVERSE. In their minds, these ladies feel that the possibility of pregnancy is not an option -- so mind-over-matter takes over."Taryn," the girl in the letter, was probably not lying. She just could not face the truth until her baby actually came. Our bodies are amazing vehicles when you think about it. -- TRISHA IN NORTH BALTIMORE, OHIO

Dear Karnack in Kleveland,

Your insights are staggering; a woman who denies she is pregnant for 9 months right up and during delivery might be in denial...wow, how much did you charge Blue Cross for that diagnosis? Apparnetly mind over matter has it's limits.

Sarcasm aside, you may be on to something...Other mind over matter events...

I'm sure I paid the last three mortgage payments what do you mean I dont own my house anymore?

I'm sure I went to work last week, what do you mean I'm fired?

I'm sure I didnt go home with this girl in my bed, what do you mean you're filing for divorce?

I'm sure she told me she was 18, what do you mean I'm under arrest?

I'm not lying...I'm just confused!

...and of course....

I'm not fat, I'm just pregnant!

On second thought, no thanks. I'll stick with the real ugly truth!

Cr-Abby