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Woman Who Didn't Know She Was Pregnant Gives Birth After What She Thought Was 'Period Pain'

Joanna Freedman

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| Last updated 

Woman Who Didn't Know She Was Pregnant Gives Birth After What She Thought Was 'Period Pain'

Featured Image Credit: MEN Media

A woman went to hospital with crippling back pain she thought had been brought on by her period, but it turned out she was actually pregnant.

Rhea Martin, 24, had hoped a trip to the hospital would help her back pain, which she believed was just another symptom of her painful periods.

But when she went to hospital, the saleswoman - who had no idea she was pregnant - gave birth to a baby boy.

Rhea, from Heaton Norris in Stockport, Greater Manchester, said goodbye to her boyfriend Luke Melling at the gates of A&E and went inside, none the wiser.

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But upon being seen, she was left stunned when medics told her she was actually in labour.

After hearing the news, Rhea fell unconscious in a state of shock and woke up in a different room, with a midwife telling her to 'pull it together for her baby and push'.

Rhea had no idea she was pregnant (Credit: MEN Media)
Rhea had no idea she was pregnant (Credit: MEN Media)

With no time to process the news, Rhea was unable to call Luke or her parents to let them know she was pregnant, so she had to give birth without a birthing partner.

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She gave birth to little Myles Melling, weighing 6lb 7oz, at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport on October 20.

Rhea said: "Afterwards I called Luke and told him to come to the hospital where I met him outside.

"I told him there and then and the first thing he asked was if he was a boy, because he's always wanted a son.

"We can laugh about everything now but at the time it was actually quite traumatising.

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"You go into hospital thinking you have serious back pain and a bad stomach ache caused by your period and come out with a baby.

"We had no time to process anything or prepare so the last six weeks have been challenging and we've been so lucky to have amazing parents who have helped us out massively.

"In the first week after Myles arrived we kept discussing plans to do as a couple, then we'd remember we had a baby and the things we used to do wouldn't be so ideal for a baby to join."

She added: "It's been a pretty surreal time but we wouldn't change it for the world."

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The newborn arrived during the A&E trip (Credit: MEN Media)
The newborn arrived during the A&E trip (Credit: MEN Media)

Rhea had been certain her pain was a result of her period seeing as doctors had advised her of such in A&E just days earlier, before urging her not to come back to the hospital with complaints over her period, during the pandemic.

She added: "They gave me some painkillers and sent me on my way. I just hoped the pain would wear off."

Little Myles' birth comes as Rhea, who was made redundant after the first lockdown, had just
managed to secure a new job.

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But because she had only spent four weeks in the role she does not qualify for company maternity leave or pay.

She reflected: "Financially it's been a difficult time. We had already started saving for a home together but have struggled to put away as much as we had hoped to due to the Covid climate.

"After coming out of hospital, I moved straight in with Luke at his dad's house and we've been raising Myles there.

"Obviously for the last four weeks we've been in a lockdown and since Luke is a personal trainer he's been out of work so we've had a lot of time together in the house.

"We're really hoping to save enough to buy our own place next year but it will mean Luke finding more work so it's quite stressful.

"We're determined to give Myles the best start to life he can have, despite having absolutely no preparation."

Rhea didn't notice any signs that she was expecting in the run-up to her birth. She was a dress size 8 in March, but crept up to a size 10 in May, but didn't think anything of it.

In fact, she very reasonably assumed the weight gain was due to spending more time at home
during lockdown.

Not knowing she was pregnant, Rhea Martin carried on with her home work-outs up until giving birth and Luke never suspected anything either.

The couple are now parents to little Myles (Credit: MEN Media)
The couple are now parents to little Myles (Credit: MEN Media)

What she experienced is known as a 'cryptic pregnancy', meaning Rhea's baby was tucked away towards her back, showing no physical bump.

Luke said: "I was extremely shocked that I didn't notice my own girlfriend was pregnant.

"Especially being a personal trainer, I felt rather silly.

"But Myles is the biggest blessing from what has been a strange year for us all.

"We had a few hours to turn from a new couple to a family.

"I love Rhea and can't thank her enough for making me a father."

Topics: Pregnancy, Real, Life, Babies, Motherhood, Health

Joanna Freedman
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