Pregnancy is a stage of maturation crisis which, like other moments of crisis in a woman's life (adolescence and menopause), is characterised by phases of regression, the weakness of mental defences and transformation of the image of self. When there are conflicts with femininity, the experience of pregnancy may be complicated and unease may be expressed in somatic symptoms such as nausea and vomit, and may even lead to the onset of pathologies such as hypertension, miscarriage and pre-term labour. This has led to the term "psychological" risk pregnancy being used over the past 20 years.