A young mum who thought her severe pain was an appendicitis was left shellshocked 45 minutes later, when she gave birth.
10:18, 15 Jan 2026Updated 14:47, 15 Jan 2026
Perfect family. Demi-Lee Sefton and partner Brad Barrington left in wonder after a surprise birth(Image: Jam Press)
A young woman went to hospital with suspected appendicitis and to her surprise gave birth 45 minutes later.
Demi-Lee Sefton, 21, had no idea she was expecting a baby when she went into labour and is now a proud mum to daughter Hazel. Doctors later explained that Demi-Lee’s pregnancy had gone unnoticed because Hazel was growing into her back.
It meant she didn’t have a visible bump and she hadn’t felt movement. So understandably when she phoned her partner Brad Barrington, also 21, to deliver the happy news, he thought she was lying. The devoted couple had been together four years but planned to buy a house together before starting a family.
The dental nurse said she’d had no symptoms and was having regular bleeding which she’d mistaken for her period.
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Brad didn’t believe Demi-Lee at first but was over the moon once the news sank in(Image: Jam Press)
Hazel was born 6lb 1oz in May last year(Image: Jam Press)
“He’s an amazing partner, he was in shock at first but then he was overjoyed because he’s always dreamed of becoming a dad. I had an amazing birth despite the circumstances.”
Brad said: “I was just at work starting my new job and didn’t see any phone calls from Demi-Lee or her mum.”
He said when she told him she was in labour he said: “I was in pure shock and couldn’t believe it because she wasn’t pregnant or showing any signs of being pregnant.
“I then got another phone call around half an hour later saying ‘congratulations, you’re a daddy to a beautiful baby girl’.
“I instantly started crying tears of joy because I couldn’t believe it and I was just in pure shock.
“I just wanted to rush to see them but I really couldn’t get my head around the fact I was a daddy and I didn’t even know anything about her coming.
“When I got to the hospital the first thing I wanted to know was if they were ok.
“Meeting Hazel for the first time is amazing but we were still shocked and scared because we had nothing prepared for her.”
Hazel was born weighing 6lbs 1oz and Demi-Lee and Brad’s family rallied around to get essentials such as a Moses basket and baby clothes.
Brad said that helped them ” wrap our heads around being parents.”
“Seeing my own baby girl for the first time just filled me with pure joy and seeing Demi as mum was the same,” he said. “Adapting to dad life hasn’t been the easiest as we weren’t prepared at all but it’s the most amazing thing ever and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Having my own little family is the best thing ever.”
Proud mum Demi said she didn’t have any cravings but ate a lot of Galaxy ripples, adding: “Looking back, I had zero symptoms of pregnancy excluding heartburn.
“But I thought nothing of it as my diet was full of food that could induce heartburn. I have always suffered with irregular periods meaning I’d have one for a couple months then skip them but that’s normal for me. People didn’t believe us when we told them because they’d seen me days before I had her and I obviously didn’t look pregnant.
“Friends and family are proud of us for how we are and coping and how we’ve taken on the role as parents.” Demi-Lee admits motherhood has been both wonderful and overwhelming and is looking forward to Hazel’s first birthday in May.
The couple’s ‘amazing’ surprise daughter Hazel(Image: Jam Press)
Hazel at five months old(Image: Jam Press)
She added: “We had talked about having kids but obviously wanted to be prepared and have a house. We want a girl and a boy so we’re half way there but we don’t have plans for anymore for the time being. Life now as a mum is amazing but also harder than I thought.
“I wouldn’t change becoming a mum in the slightest because she is my whole world. I couldn’t imagine my life without her. It’s harder because now I worry about everything and anything, if she’s too hot or too cold.
“I still don’t think I’ve actually accepted the fact that I am a mum because I didn’t have that time to prepare and come to terms with it.
“Sometimes it doesn’t feel real still but then I look at her and think ‘wow, I actually made you and you are the most amazing thing ever’.
“But even though she was a surprise and we were unprepared, she is the best thing that has happened to me. I wouldn’t change anything about it other than knowing she was coming. She’s happy, healthy and progressing the way she should and that’s all I can ask for.”