Starting a family in the modern world is getting harder and harder. At least, that is how Paul Servat and Barbara Bienvenue felt. The two had been longing to have children for years and when they met each other through an online app, everything seems to click together.
Little did they know, that there simple and basic need to have children would end up making the headlines all over there town and turning them into local legends and not the good the kind.
A Little About Them
Paul Servat was living in Montreal surrounded by lots of loving family and friends. One day, he took a look at his life and realized he needed a lot more than he had. Servat found himself in his mid-thirties and alone, working to the bone six days a week.
Paul met Barbara Bienvenue through an online dating app, they instantly had a connection and fit well together. Barbara had a charming and bubbly personality and of course, they both wanted to start a family and that too fast.
Going Well
Bienvenue and Servat immediately felt like they had each found the right person. And, both in their thirties, they did not want to waste any time. So, after a few weeks of chatting with each other, they decided to meet in Montreal.
Servat fell in love with Barbara, trusting her despite the fact they’d only known each other for a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, he was about to find out why you should never fully trust a stranger.
Curve Ball
Just two months after they started dating, Bienvenue told Servat they needed to have a serious conversation. They were still getting to know each other, while they had children at the back of their mind it was all still too soon for that or at least that what Paul thought.
Just two months after they started dating, Bienvenue told Servat they needed to have a serious conversation. Everything seemed perfect, so Servant didn’t really know what on earth she could possibly want to discuss.
Surprise!
As Bienvenue walked into the room, she had a big smile on her face while proceeding to give him the incredible news: she was pregnant. Servat stood, perplexed for a moment, trying to process the news.
But once he did, a big smile sprung on his face as well. At last, he was going to be a father! Just a few months ago, Servat dreamed of establishing a life and family with the right person. Now, his dream had become a reality, right in front of his eyes. Every morning, Servat woke up, thrilled at the fact he had become a father-to-be.
Pregnancy Changes
Of course, not everything went perfectly during pregnancy. Like many others in their first trimester, Bienvenue experienced all kinds of changes throughout her body. From gaining weight to sudden mood swings, Bienvenue had a rough time.
However, the worst part of all for Bienvenue became the morning sickness, by far. Even though Servat knew that was a natural part of the pregnancy, he couldn’t help to worry for the mother and baby itself.
Better Than Expected
So he could help in any way possible, Servant insisted Bienvenue moved into his house where he could rely on his family to help take care of her when he could not. She agreed and soon enough they lived under the same roof.
Soon, weeks turned into months, and the couple started to notice Bienvenue’s belly seemed larger than average. They suspected it might be more than one baby, so she went for a checkup. At the doctor’s office, they discovered even more great news: Bienvenue carried twins! Servat couldn’t help to jump out of his seat for joy.
Another Surprise!
Strangely enough, in the next appointment, the baby count rose to three. Then, after the last ultrasound, the triplets turned into quintuplets, meaning they’d have five children! Servat, who desperately wanted to start a family, never thought he’d receive enough children to almost form a soccer team.
While happy, Bienvenue and Servat needed to worry about the financial issues that came with raising five children simultaneously. Servat found himself trying to figure out ways to provide for his new family.
Not Enough Money To Raise Quintuplets
Thought Servat did have a job, the income was about average. He did have enough money to start a small family but wouldn’t be sufficient for the five babies that were on the way. Servat found himself desperate as the due date came closer.
Luckily for them, family, friends, and neighbours were willing to support them in any matter that they needed yet still wouldn’t be enough since the preparation for the quintuplets had already begun and they were running out of time. They had to come up with some other way to assure the babies would have the essentials when the time came.
Sharing The Love On Facebook
Together, they created a Facebook page where Servat could share their story and the quintuplets’ process. Humbly, Servat asked both personal and professional contacts for sponsorships.
Soon, help from local businesses in the community started to add to the couple’s cause. Now, with the aid they needed, Servat and Bienvenue could focus on having a healthy pregnancy. They posted updates regularly, letting the community know exactly how the pregnancy went. The couple also posted photos of the gifts they received, like the blankets above. Unfortunately, when he discovered his girlfriend’s past, Servat would need to take down the Facebook page…
A Smooth Pregnancy
Servat’s excitement over the quintuplets continued to grow, every single day. Despite that fact that Bienvenue’s mood swings seemed to get worse every week, he stayed positive. After all, He just wanted Bienvenue that he would always be there for her. The father-to-be remained patient and understanding, throughout the whole pregnancy.
Of course, as the mother of their quintuplets, Servat never wanted anything bad to happen to Bienvenue. He also helped Bienvenue find activities to complete so she wouldn’t sit home all day, bored. Together, they worked on a room for the quintuplets.
Potential Complications
Bienvenue went into labour relatively early, compared to most moms-to-be. You see, quintuplets can affect a due date. So, Bienvenue had one slightly earlier than most, 34 weeks instead of 37.
Unfortunately, this presented a whole new set of problems. A newborn baby can be too small, too weak, or suffer from many medical issues. Carrying quintuplets, the couple needed to multiply those chances by five.
“My Water Just Broke”
During the 34th week of the pregnancy, the day finally came. Bienvenue, hysterical, rushed into a room to tell Servat her water had broke. Servat had read plenty of pregnancy books, so he knew just what to do: stay calm. He quickly, but calmly, grabbed the essentials before taking his girlfriend to the hospital.
Accompanied by friends and family, Servat and Bienvenue arrived at the hospital. The most awaited day of Servat’s life had finally arrived. However, destiny harboured a tremendous turn of events that would change his life forever. Unfortunately, it was not the change he had expected. Instead, a heartbreaking, sinister surprise hid waiting for Servat.
The News
Taking his girlfriend and their quintuplets to the hospital, Servat could not believe the day had finally arrived. Nervous and excited all at once, Servat did his best to behave himself as he waited for information on Bienvenue and the quintuplets.
As the doctor walked towards him, Servat could tell something had happened. The doctor did not look happy like he should. Instead, he looked concerned. Servat’s heartbeat started to rise, and all kinds of questions came into his mind. Has something gone wrong? Were Bienvenue and the quintuplets okay?
Doctor’s Confusion
The doctor, who should have been delivering his quintuplets, approached Servat with a peculiar look on his face. Later, Servat would say that the doctor’s face almost seemed to tell him something without words, but he couldn’t figure it out. Regardless, there was no doubt something was wrong.
Then, Servat realized why the doctor’s face didn’t register with him at first. He didn’t look angry or even sad, but rather confused. But, what could confuse a doctor? Then, the doctor started telling Servat about how Bienvenue and the quintuplets were doing. Servat quickly understood why the doctor looked so confused.
Time To Get Some Answers
What could possibly be happening? Where were Bienvenue and his quintuplets? The doctor approached Servat and, after looking around at his family, asked to speak to him in private. Desperate for answers, Servat agreed.
Sadly, Servat’s world was about to crumble into pieces, and all of his dreams would be crushed in a heartbeat. It was time for the doctor to provide some answers about what exactly was happening.
The First Sign Of Something Wrong
The doctor slowly began to explain what was happening. The confusion started when Servat and Bienvenue first came to deliver the quintuplets. Despite looking multiple times, in various locations, the hospital could not find any records of Bienvenue’s pregnancy.
Furthermore, they could not contact anyone who could confirm anything about the pregnancy. Servat did not understand. How could there be no records? He, along with family and friends, had dropped Bienvenue off for doctor’s appointments numerous times. After they could not find the records, he explained, a nurse had ordered a blood test. The results shocked everyone in the waiting room!
No Babies at All
The doctor finally revealed the horrible truth to Servat: there were no babies. At all. As it turns out, Bienvenue was not pregnant. “The doctors told me it was a phantom pregnancy,” Servat recalled later. But what exactly does that mean?
At first, Servat even found it difficult to understand what the doctor said, let alone accept it. The words made no sense! Every step of the way, Servat had helped Bienvenue through her pregnancy!
A Phantom Pregnancy
Also known as pseudocyesis, a phantom pregnancy is a rare psychological condition where a woman convinces herself she is actually pregnant even though she isn’t. The woman suffering from this condition can experience many of the signs and symptoms of a real pregnancy.
The exact cause of phantom pregnancy is yet unknown. However, one of the most influential factors they have found is the extreme desire of a woman to become pregnant. The condition is difficult to diagnose since it can often be confused with an actual pregnancy. Furthermore, someone with a phantom pregnancy can be convinced, themselves!
Signs and Symptoms
No matter how many times the doctors explained the phantom pregnancy to him, Servat still felt confused. After all, he had seen all the signs of pregnancy in his girlfriend! Yet, when doctors pressed him, Servat admitted that he had never accompanied her to a doctor’s appointment and seen any proof with his own two eyes.
How could Bienvenue look and act pregnant, but not be so? Unfortunately, he would come to learn that a woman who experiences a phantom pregnancy can have morning sickness, weight gain, and even lactation! Furthermore, upwards of 20% of women who suffer phantom pregnancies are diagnosed pregnant by a doctor, at one time. As Servat began talking to the doctors, he recounted all the signs Bienvenue had shown.
Signs Of Pregnancy Everywhere
The reason why it was so hard for Servat to understand what was happening is he was there all along witnessing the symptoms of pregnancy. At first, Bienvenue suffered terrible morning sickness. Next, her belly grew large enough to house five babies. His girlfriend had gone back to the doctor’s all because she looked larger than the average pregnant person!
Even further, at the end of the “pregnancy,” Bienvenue started lactating. Finally, Servat’s mom, who helped out constantly, also never noticed anything wrong with the mom-to-be or pregnancy. Unfortunately, they all now knew the truth.
Psychological Support
Someone who experiences a true phantom pregnancy can be astonished when learning there’s no baby inside their womb. Therefore, doctors recommend people around them to take in charge of the situation. They suggest making them feel understand and supported by those they love the most.
So, after the news of Bienvenue’s story broke, some doctors said to not rush to judgment. Some maintain that the phantom pregnancy could have been real and that she just always ended up in dire financial situations. Moreover, some argue that the rare medical condition could also have been the cause of her dark behaviour.
The Tests Told the Truth
Despite what the doctors said, Servat wanted to give Bienvenue the benefit of the doubt regardless of how hurt he was. She might have been a victim of her own desire of having a child, causing a physiological breakdown.
Doctors may diagnose a phantom pregnancy wrong once, in the early stages. However, it is nearly impossible for a doctor to not eventually figure out the pregnancy is not real. Furthermore, misdiagnosing a phantom pregnancy as quintuplets just would not happen. Blood pregnancy tests don’t lie, and neither do ultrasounds.
The Evidence Grows
At first, Servat just felt confused and angry. After all, he had seen all the signs of pregnancy in his girlfriend. However, after Laflamme revealed her suspicions more things began to fall into place. First, he never actually accompanied her to the doctor checkups.
Also, Every time she went to the doctor’s office, she came back with a different story. Mainly, on the number of children she carried. It seemed more and more likely that Bienvenue had entirely faked the pregnancy. Worse still, doctors agreed.
That’s when Servat remembered something about Bienvenue and her past that would finally prove if she had faked the pregnancy…
The Final Piece of the Puzzle
The evidence against Bienvenue started to pile up. While discussing the possibility that she faked the pregnancy, Servat admitted he had never met Bienvenue’s family or even spoken to them.
In fact, he never even asked about them! He only knew that Bienvenue came from Quebec, just like him. According to Servat, Bienvenue didn’t like to talk about them, and he respected her silences. Now, her silence seemed suspicious.
Local News
Soon, the news of the strange pregnancy ended up in the local paper. Afterwards, the final piece of the puzzle came into play. Because of the article, a relative of Bienvenue’s reached out to Servat.
“This isn’t the first time she’s done it. But honestly, we never would have thought she was sick enough to do it again,” he told the brokenhearted man. Now, there was no question: Bienvenue had faked the pregnancy.
Once a Liar, Always a Liar
The informant also revealed Bienvenue hadn’t told any of her family relatives she was, once again, expecting. “She cut ties with us in recent months,” the relative continued. “She didn’t want us to know about her game.” Her family felt devastated to learn she had done it again and even apologized, despite not knowing anything.
Another male linked to her past later reached out to the Toronto Sun to tell his story. It was a very similar story to what had happened to Servat. The ex-boyfriend said that while they were dating Bienvenue told him she was expecting twins. She also wanted to use the babies as an excuse to raise funds. Later, he found out the twins never existed.
Overwhelmed To the Core
Servat couldn’t believe how had they lived under the same roof and never had the slightest idea Bienvenue was faking the pregnancy. For months Bienvenue had been lying even on social media to get sponsorships for the fake quintuplets.
No one on the family or any of his friends actually suspected there was no baby at all. Soon the ex-father-to-be needed to tell everyone how he felt. Of course, Bienvenue didn’t just hurt Servat, she also hurt everyone around them.
The News Broke Into the Community
When Servat came home from the hospital, he knew exactly what needed to be done. Feeling the worst he ever had, while seeing the nursery he almost burst into tears. They had prepared the room for the babies, but there wasn’t any.
As he walked into the room, he could see babies’ stuff lying everywhere, gifts they received from family, friends and some generous people in the community. He tried his best to explain what Bienvenue had done to his family, friends, and the online community that had built up around their pregnancy.
The Story Goes Viral
Over following the story, the story of Paul Servat and Barbara Bienvenue garnered a massive audience. In a matter of time, People, the Toronto Sun, and more were running pieces about the faked pregnancy.
Most called out Bienvenue for lying. Some even questioned whether or not Servat should have noticed something amiss earlier. “High multiples like quints are extremely high risk and she’d have been with specialists, getting constant checkups, etc.,” one woman commented. “It’s not like faking a normal pregnancy. Even if this WAS her first stunt, I’m side-eyeing the people who believed this.”
The Latest Updates
So, where is Bienvenue today? Well, after the pregnancy, her family got together and convinced the woman to seek help in a psychiatric facility. “Doctors need to take care of her or else she’ll do it again and again,” one of her male relatives told the Toronto Sun.
Most of us agree that treatment is the best option for Bienvenue and hopefully, with the right help, she may be able to overcome her need to fake a pregnancy and understand why her body and mind allows her to do it.