{"id":697870,"date":"2026-01-15T15:03:16","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T15:03:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/697870\/"},"modified":"2026-01-15T15:03:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T15:03:16","slug":"new-mum-had-no-idea-she-was-pregnant-until-giving-birth-as-baby-was-growing-in-her-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/697870\/","title":{"rendered":"New mum had no idea she was pregnant until giving birth as baby was growing in her BACK"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A young mum who thought her severe pain was an appendicitis was left shellshocked 45 minutes later, when she gave birth.<\/p>\n<p>10:18, 15 Jan 2026Updated 14:47, 15 Jan 2026<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0_Shocked-woman-went-to-hospital-with-appendicitis-and-45-minutes-later-she-was-giving-birth.jpg\" alt=\"Brad Barrigton with partner Demi Lee Sefton and their baby in the middle\" loading=\"eager\"  \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Perfect family. Demi-Lee Sefton and partner Brad Barrington left in wonder after a surprise birth\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Perfect family. Demi-Lee Sefton and partner Brad Barrington left in wonder after a surprise birth(Image: Jam Press)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A young woman went to hospital with suspected appendicitis and to her surprise gave birth 45 minutes later.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">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\u2019s <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/pregnancy\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">pregnancy<\/a> had gone unnoticed because Hazel was growing into her back.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It meant she didn\u2019t have a visible bump and she hadn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The dental nurse said she\u2019d had no symptoms and was having regular bleeding which she\u2019d mistaken for her period.<\/p>\n<p>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/3am\/celebrity-news\/pregnant-made-chelsea-star-shames-36546899\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36546899\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pregnant Made In Chelsea star shames commuters who didn&#8217;t offer her a seat despite baby badge<\/a>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/health\/doctors-seeing-different-symptoms-new-36541384\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36541384\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Doctors warn of different symptoms as new flu strain spreads across UK<\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768489393_978_0_Shocked-woman-went-to-hospital-with-appendicitis-and-45-minutes-later-she-was-giving-birth.jpg\" alt=\"The couple leaving hospital with their new baby\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Brad didn't believe Demi-Lee at first but was over the moon once the news sank in\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Brad didn&#8217;t believe Demi-Lee at first but was over the moon once the news sank in(Image: Jam Press)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768489394_642_0_Shocked-woman-went-to-hospital-with-appendicitis-and-45-minutes-later-she-was-giving-birth.jpg\" alt=\"Hazel after being born\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Hazel was born 6lb 1oz in May last year\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Hazel was born 6lb 1oz in May last year(Image: Jam Press)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cHe\u2019s an amazing partner, he was in shock at first but then he was overjoyed because he\u2019s always dreamed of becoming a dad. I had an amazing birth despite the circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Brad said: &#8220;I was just at work starting my new job and didn\u2019t see any phone calls from Demi-Lee or her mum.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He said when she told him she was in labour he said: &#8220;I was in pure shock and couldn\u2019t believe it because she wasn\u2019t pregnant or showing any signs of being pregnant.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;I then got another phone call around half an hour later saying &#8216;congratulations, you&#8217;re a daddy to a beautiful baby girl&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;I instantly started crying tears of joy because I couldn\u2019t believe it and I was just in pure shock.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;I just wanted to rush to see them but I really couldn\u2019t get my head around the fact I was a daddy and I didn\u2019t even know anything about her coming.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;When I got to the hospital the first thing I wanted to know was if they were ok.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Meeting Hazel for the first time is amazing but we were still shocked and scared because we had nothing prepared for her.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Hazel was born weighing 6lbs 1oz and Demi-Lee and Brad\u2019s family rallied around to get essentials such as a Moses basket and baby clothes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Brad said that helped them &#8221; wrap our heads around being parents.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Seeing my own baby girl for the first time just filled me with pure joy and seeing Demi as mum was the same,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Adapting to dad life hasn\u2019t been the easiest as we weren\u2019t prepared at all but it\u2019s the most amazing thing ever and I wouldn\u2019t change it for the world. Having my own little family is the best thing ever.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Proud mum Demi said she didn&#8217;t have any cravings but ate a lot of Galaxy ripples, adding: \u201cLooking back, I had zero symptoms of pregnancy excluding <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/lifestyle\/health\/how-get-rid-heartburn-reflux-12583171\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">heartburn<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cBut 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&#8217;d have one for a couple months then skip them but that\u2019s normal for me. People didn\u2019t believe us when we told them because they\u2019d seen me days before I had her and I obviously didn\u2019t look pregnant.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cFriends and family are proud of us for how we are and coping and how we\u2019ve taken on the role as parents.\u201d Demi-Lee admits motherhood has been both wonderful and overwhelming and is looking forward to Hazel\u2019s first birthday in May.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768489395_733_0_Shocked-woman-went-to-hospital-with-appendicitis-and-45-minutes-later-she-was-giving-birth.jpg\" alt=\"Hazel in a red hoody with mouse ears\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"The couple's 'amazing' surprise daughter Hazel\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">The couple&#8217;s &#8216;amazing&#8217; surprise daughter Hazel(Image: Jam Press)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1_Shocked-woman-went-to-hospital-with-appendicitis-and-45-minutes-later-she-was-giving-birth.jpg\" alt=\"Hazel with a white bow on her head aged five months and smiling\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Hazel at five months old\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Hazel at five months old(Image: Jam Press)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">She added: \u201cWe had talked about having kids but obviously wanted to be prepared and have a house. We want a girl and a boy so we\u2019re half way there but we don\u2019t have plans for anymore for the time being. Life now as a mum is amazing but also harder than I thought.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cI wouldn\u2019t change becoming a mum in the slightest because she is my whole <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/world-news\/\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">world<\/a>. I couldn\u2019t imagine my life without her. It\u2019s harder because now I worry about everything and anything, if she\u2019s too hot or too cold.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cI still don\u2019t think I\u2019ve actually accepted the fact that I am a mum because I didn\u2019t have that time to prepare and come to terms with it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cSometimes it doesn\u2019t feel real still but then I look at her and think \u2018wow, I actually made you and you are the most amazing thing ever\u2019.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cBut even though she was a surprise and we were unprepared, she is the best thing that has happened to me. I wouldn\u2019t change anything about it other than knowing she was coming. She\u2019s happy, healthy and progressing the way she should and that\u2019s all I can ask for.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A young mum who thought her severe pain was an appendicitis was left shellshocked 45 minutes later, when&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":697871,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[47888,590,124195,105,2207,593,591,103868,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-697870","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-health","8":"tag-appendicitis","9":"tag-babies","10":"tag-giving-birth","11":"tag-health","12":"tag-hospitals","13":"tag-periods","14":"tag-pregnancy","15":"tag-starting-a-family","16":"tag-uk","17":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115899728388455363","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/697870","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=697870"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/697870\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/697871"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=697870"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=697870"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=697870"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}