Demi-Lee Sefton, was left stunned after rushing to hospital with stomach pains – only to discover she was in labour and had no idea she was pregnant.
A young woman rushed to hospital fearing she had appendicitis was left stunned when she gave birth just 45 minutes later.
Demi-Lee Sefton, 21, had no idea she was pregnant when she went into labour and is now a proud mum to baby daughter Hazel.
Doctors later explained Demi-Lee’s pregnancy had gone completely unnoticed because Hazel was growing into her back, meaning she had no visible bump and felt no movement.
The dental nurse, from Leeds, West Yorkshire, said she’d had no pregnancy symptoms and believed regular bleeding was her period.
“I had normal period cramp pains and thought nothing of it,” Demi-Lee said. “I took some paracetamol and went to bed.
“But the pain got worse and I hardly slept. Around 5am I thought I had appendicitis, so I rang my mum and she came over.
“She called an ambulance straight away. The paramedics said they thought I was in labour. I was so confused – I hadn’t had any symptoms and I was in so much pain.”
At hospital, medics confirmed Demi-Lee was at least 30 weeks pregnant and rushed her into a delivery suite, reports the Mirror.
She tried desperately to contact her partner, Brad Barrington, 21, who was at work as a joiner – but he missed the birth.
“After the ultrasound they said I’d be giving birth within the hour,” she said. “I panicked and kept trying to call Brad.
“When he finally answered I just said, ‘I’m in labour’. He replied, ‘You’re lying – you’re having me on,’ and then I had to put the phone down to push.
“I rang him back after she was born and said, ‘Congratulations, you’re a daddy.’ He burst into tears and said he’d be straight there.”
Hazel was born weighing 6lb 1oz. Demi-Lee said family members quickly rallied around to provide essentials including a Moses basket and baby clothes.
She added: “Looking back, I had zero symptoms of pregnancy other than heartburn – and I thought that was just my diet.
“I’ve always had irregular periods, so nothing felt out of the ordinary. People didn’t believe us because they’d seen me days before and I didn’t look pregnant.”
The couple, who have been together for four years, had planned to buy a house before starting a family – but say they’ve embraced parenthood together.
“Brad was in shock at first but then overjoyed,” Demi-Lee said. “He’s always dreamed of being a dad and he’s been amazing.”
Now settling into life as a mum, Demi-Lee admits it’s been overwhelming as well as wonderful.
“I still don’t think I’ve fully accepted that I’m a mum because I didn’t have time to prepare,” she said.
“Sometimes it doesn’t feel real – then I look at her and think, ‘Wow, I actually made you.’
“She was a total surprise and we were unprepared, but she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. She’s happy, healthy and that’s all I could ever ask for.”
