A 21-year-old student from Doncaster, England, experienced an unexpected life change when she gave birth without realizing she was pregnant. Hattie Sheppard had been on an adventure travel gap year in Australia with her boyfriend, Bailey Cheadle, when she went into labor after enjoying a thrilling slingshot ride at a theme park.
Hattie flew to Australia in July 2023, taking time off from her studies at the University of York. Over the course of six months, she and Bailey indulged in various activities, from partying to boating. The couple even went on a slingshot ride that propelled them into the air at speeds exceeding 100 mph.
On January 13, 2024, Hattie began experiencing stomach pain, which she initially attributed to a stomach bug. After taking two paracetamols, the pain intensified and localized to the right side of her abdomen. Concerned, she suspected appendicitis and sought medical attention at the Gold Coast University Hospital in Queensland.
During an ultrasound, Hattie received shocking news: she was in labor. “I thought this was impossible as I’m on the pill,” Hattie recalled. “The doctor said, ‘No, there’s a baby coming now.’” Overwhelmed and in disbelief, she was informed that she would soon be giving birth.
At 12:47 PM on January 14, 2024, Hattie welcomed her daughter, Isla-Grace Cheadle, who weighed 6 lbs 7 oz. Hattie later learned that her placenta had been positioned at the front of her abdomen, preventing her from feeling the baby’s movements. Additionally, Isla-Grace was developing at the back near Hattie’s spine, which explained the absence of a noticeable baby bump.
Hattie shared that she had no other symptoms of pregnancy aside from subtle weight gain, which she attributed to changes in her medication for Graves’ disease—a condition that had previously led her to believe she would struggle to conceive. “I thought the weight gain was intentional,” she said, as she had been focusing on healthy eating and fitness.
Reflecting on her unexpected journey into motherhood, Hattie described Isla-Grace as the perfect “anniversary gift,” given that she and Bailey would celebrate their one-year anniversary on January 25. “I honestly could not be happier. It’s the strangest thing that could have happened, but it feels normal,” she stated.
Bailey also expressed his astonishment at the situation. “When Hattie woke me up, I was a bit out of it. I had to keep Hattie calm as we waited for the baby to arrive,” he said. After ten hours of anticipation, he experienced an incredible moment when he first heard Isla-Grace’s cry. “It’s weird to explain because you think, how can you love someone straight away? But as soon as I saw her, I fell in love straight away,” he added.
Now, the couple is making plans to return home to share their joyous news with family and friends. Hattie and Bailey’s story serves as a reminder of the surprises life can hold, even during the most adventurous of times.
