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A size 10 Dover woman discharged from hospital when doctors were unable to find the cause of her back pain was stunned – when she gave birth just hours later.
Sophie Aldridge, 20, had no idea she was pregnant when she woke in the middle of the night with severe back ache that she blamed on period pains.
But when Sophie's condition deteriorated the next day, her mother took her to see a medic and she was given an anti-sickness injection and sleeping pill before being sent home.
Shortly after arriving back home, the pain became unbearable and Sophie, of Dickson Road, was rushed to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford by ambulance.
Paramedics then dropped the bombshell that Sophie was actually in labour – and less than half an hour after arriving at A&E she gave birth to baby Thomas.
The carer had no idea she was expecting a baby and had remained in her size 10 clothes as she carried on partying with her friends.
She added friends and family members could not believe it when she arrived home with her 5lbs 8oz son.
Without even a nappy in her possession, people quickly rallied around to ensure Sophie and Thomas had everything they needed.
Sophie, who lives with her parents, said: "I was due to come on to my period that day so I thought that must have been why I was having such bad pains.
"I know it might sound really stupid to some people, but I literally had no idea I was pregnant - I didn't have any symptoms.
"I didn't get morning sickness, I stayed wearing my size 10 clothes, I had regular periods throughout the pregnancy and I didn't have any cravings.
She added: "To give birth there and then, like I did was absolutely terrifying.
"It was a big shock to everyone when I suddenly arrived home with a baby.
"When I gave birth I didn't even have a nappy to my name, let alone, clothes, pram, cot, etc. I had nothing.
"I was still wearing crop-tops and mini skirts. I didn't have a bump or anything..." - new mother Sophie Aldridge
"When I came home from hospital my friends and family had come together and donated nearly everything me and Thomas needed which was so kind."
Sophie was still enjoying frequent nights out drinking with friends.
She said: "I was still going out and getting drunk with my friends while I was pregnant – I had no idea I was pregnant, obviously.
"I was still wearing crop-tops and mini skirts. I didn't have a bump or anything."
Sophie had no idea anything was wrong until November last year when she woke up in the early hours of the morning with crippling back pains.
After calling 111, her mother took her to see a doctor and she was given painkillers.
But the pain became too much just hours after returning home and she was taken by ambulance to the William Harvey.
While in transit, Sophie told a paramedic she thought she had wet herself and they quickly realised her waters had broken.
She said: "When I went to hospital a doctor there just gave me some anti-sickness tablets and an injection to help me sleep and then just sent me home.
"I thought that obviously everything was fine and normal and that it must have just been period pain – they wouldn't have sent me home otherwise."
Sophie added: "That evening the pain was so much worse mum called an ambulance.
"I just remember telling my mum I thought I had wet myself and the next thing I remember I was in hospital with a baby in my arms!
"Everything was just so quick I didn't really have time to gauge what was happening. I was only in labour for 30 minutes.
"In a way, I'm so glad it all happened – I wouldn't change Thomas for the world now. I like to call him my little miracle."
