A mum who didn't know she was pregnant had to enlist the help of her teenage daughter to help her give birth in the middle of the night. Nicola Thomas woke in the early hours of the morning to suddenly give birth to her third child at home despite having no warning of what was about to happen.
The 36-year-old from Cardiff was aware of some discomfort during the night but put it down to her period, which had continued to have throughout her surprise pregnancy. She took some paracetamol, continued with household chores like doing the washing, and put the children to bed before going to sleep herself. Speaking about others who have found themselves in a similar situation Nicola said: "I've always said when I've seen stories myself and people are like 'we didn't know we were pregnant' – how can you not tell?"
On the morning of Tuesday, March 15, Nicola's three-year-old Blayke had previously woke her mum at both 12am and 1am but Nicola described herself as "fine". However when she woke at 3am Nicola's family was about to welcome their newest member. "I woke up at three o'clock and I just felt like I needed to go to the toilet," Nicola explained. First-time mum Carla Macpherson had a similar experience after being told she would never have children – you can read about her story here.
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Realising she wouldn't make it to the toilet Nicola decided she would just have to push where she was. After pushing Nicola noticed a different sensation and was quickly confronted with the reality of the situation. She said: "I just put my hands down there and felt the baby's head."
Nicola then had to ask Blayke to wake her 14-year-old sister Ellis in order to help deliver the baby. Nicola said: "She delivered the baby, checked the cord wasn't wrapped around her neck. I'm hoping she'll be a midwife now when she's older." Despite Nicola's hopes for her eldest's future she said Ellis was far too shocked and put off by the experience to ever repeat the situation.
Despite her shock Ellis successfully delivered her new sister Baylee-Rae who weighed in at 6lb 15oz. "My mum and dad came over first of all and they were just in complete shock," Nicola explained. An ambulance swiftly arrived at the home where the paramedics also shared their disbelief at the surprise birth.
After a five-day stint in hospital, completing all necessary checks as Nicola hadn't known to attend pre-natal scans, mother and baby are both well and home adjusting to their new life. She said: "I just had no idea. With the other two [pregnancies] I was so unwell – I had morning sickness, I was just sick so much with the first two, and this time nothing. It's just nuts it is. I'm staying with my mum this week just getting used to it, having a three-year-old going back and forth to nursery as well."
Nicola's family have all been quick to get on board and help out following the surprise delivery, buying all new baby clothes and items that most parents have months to get together. "I'd chucked it all [from before] out so my family members have been rushing around getting everything."
