A university student got the shock of her life when she went to the toilet but ended up having a baby - she only realised she had given birth when she heard the cries of her surprise new-born. Jess Davis - who turned 20 the day after her shock delivery - had no idea that she was pregnant and had assumed her abdominal pains were due to her period.
The history and politics student, originally from Lawrence Weston, Bristol, had no obvious pregnancy symptoms and didn't have a baby bump. Jess is now getting used to motherhood after welcoming son, Freddie Oliver Davis, into the world on June 11 at 4.45pm, weighing 5lbs 5oz.
The new mum, who is currently in her second year at the University of Southampton, said: "My periods have always been irregular, so I didn't really notice. 'I sometimes felt nauseas, but I had started taking a new prescription so I just put it down to my new medication.
"When he was born it was the biggest shock of my life - I thought I was dreaming at first. 'I didn't realise what had happened until I heard him cry.
"It suddenly hit me that I really need to grow up now! It took a little while to get over the initial shock and adjust and bond with him, but now I'm over the moon.
''He is the most chilled baby ever. He's known as the quiet baby on the ward.''
When Jess woke up in severe pain in June 2022 she assumed it was the start of her period and walked to her local Asda to buy a hot water bottle.
She said: "I could barely walk and couldn't even lie down on my bed when I got home. I was supposed to be having a house party that night for my birthday the next day, so I had a shower and a bath to try and make myself feel better, but the pain just got worse and worse."
Jess claims she suddenly felt an overwhelming need to go to the toilet, so sat down and started to push.
"At no point did I think I was giving birth - I just knew I needed to push,'' she explained. ''At one point I felt tearing, but I didn't know what it was.
''I just knew I needed to get it out. Hearing him cry and realising what had actually happened was just so surreal.''
Unsure what to do, Jess, who was home alone, rang best friend Liv King, 20 - the inspiration behind Freddie's middle name 'Oliver'. Despite initially thinking that Jess was making an elaborate excuse to get out of the upcoming night out, Liv quickly advised her to call an ambulance after Jess sent a photo of her newborn son to prove it wasn't a prank.
Jess was taken to Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton, where baby Freddie was rushed away to be put in an incubator. The doctors predict that he arrived at 35 weeks, but despite his dramatic entrance to the world, both Freddie and Jess are recovering well.
The news of Freddie's arrival was broken to Jess's mum by Liv, who phoned her and asked, "Are you sitting down?" Luckily, Jess's mum was supportive and is excited to become a grandmother.
"My mum is the best person in the world, she's been so supportive and she's over the moon to be a grandma!" Jess said. "Being a mum is a huge life change, but it feels natural.
"The love I have for Freddie is hard to explain, but it's incredible. I just think about him all the time.
"I'm transferring to a local uni to continue my studies; I'll be closer to home, which makes childcare easier. I'm looking forward to watching him grow up and be there for him every step of the way."
