But How Could She Not Know?

by Valorie Delp | More from this Blogger

03 Nov 2006 06:28 AM

Can you imagine thinking you're having appendicitis or perhaps a gall bladder attack, kidney stones, a bleeding ulcer or some other kind of severe stomach ailment. . .and instead find out you're in labor and are about to have a baby?

I happened upon an article this morning of a 26 year old woman who thought she was having the worst stomach pains in her life so she went to the emergency room only to delivery a healthy boy. And not a preemie that weighed a few pounds. She delivered an almost 8 lb. boy!!!

I know this is not the first time this has happened. But it still baffles me. I mean, seriously, how could you really have no inkling that you're pregnant for NINE months? I am one of those lucky women who doesn't really have any of the general nuisances of pregnancy such as morning sickness or hormonal swings. I myself have even gone a whole 10 weeks before I realized I was pregnant. I understand how you could explain away the amenorrhea, and the weight gain but I have to admit I cannot fathom how you could explain the large basketball in front, or the gnawing pressure that feels like a bowling ball sitting on your bladder, or even the kicking of the baby?

It is a shocker to find out you're pregnant when you either weren't planning on it or weren't supposed to be able to get pregnant. It was a shocker to find out we were having twins when we were expecting one. But can you imagine coming home with an infant when you thought you needed an appendectomy? Talk about being unprepared! So to satisfy my curiosity I googled just such a topic.

Apparently this happens quite often. Or at least more often than one would think. Doctors say that while on occasion, some women do lie and in fact knew perfectly well that they were likely pregnant, most women who find themselves in this situation, are genuinely surprised, if not thrilled, at their new arrival.

Could you imagine not having the time to plan a nursery, not having any of your "essential" gear in place, or coming home to tell confused friends and neighbors that you had a baby?

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Learn more about Valorie Delp

Hello everybody! My name is Valorie and I am one busy lady! When I'm not writing or editing for families, I am busy trying to get my brood of 5 in line.

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Lessly (57396) 16 Nov 2006 11:25 PM

I always wondered this. This is just weird that you'd go to term and never know. I suppose that some women may not get a BIG belly to show that they are PG...and that others are not intune with their bodies.

miraclebaby06 (17132) 17 Nov 2006 01:33 AM

A friend of mine had this happen just recently in september, although she did only get to 23wks. she got af every month didnt gain any weight in fact she lost 10lbs and never had any symptoms and didnt feel any kicks yet unlike with her first son she had every symptom in the books and got big quick. her son was 1lb 6oz and 14in long at birth, now at 10wks old hes 4lbs 8oz and 17.5in long and doing great and should be home in the next few weeks.

Valorie Delp (49340) 26 Nov 2006 07:21 AM

Wow! I'm so glad her baby survived! I could see how you could not know at 23 weeks. Some moms don't report feeling a baby until around 22-24 weeks and not feeling it really kicking until later. I'm still pondering how you get full term though!