A 21-year-old woman from the UK has given birth just 45 minutes after arriving at hospital with suspected appendicitis, having been unaware she was pregnant. Demi-Lee Sefton, a dental nurse, had no visible bump and felt no movement because her baby was growing into her back.
Demi-Lee phoned her partner Brad Barrington, also 21, to tell him she was in labour, but he initially thought she was joking. 'I was in pure shock and couldn't believe it because she wasn't pregnant or showing any signs,' he said. After a second call confirming the birth of a baby girl, he 'instantly started crying tears of joy'.
The couple, who had been together for four years and planned to buy a house before starting a family, were completely unprepared. Family and friends rallied to provide essentials such as a Moses basket and baby clothes. Hazel was born weighing 6lb 1oz.
Demi-Lee said she had no typical pregnancy symptoms except heartburn, which she attributed to her diet. She had been experiencing regular bleeding, which she mistook for her period. 'Looking back, I had zero symptoms of pregnancy,' she said. 'People didn't believe us because they'd seen me days before and I obviously didn't look pregnant.'
Brad described adapting to fatherhood as challenging but 'the most amazing thing ever'. Demi-Lee added: 'Sometimes it doesn't feel real still, but then I look at her and think, wow, I actually made you. She is the best thing that has happened to me.'
