by Nick Evans

A doctor told her she had chronic wind and sent her home with some tablets – hours later Tracy Campbell gave birth to a bouncing baby boy.

Until then, Tracy, 37, who lives with her husband Colin in Alexander Road, Sheerness, had no idea she was pregnant.

The drama began when Tracy started feeling unwell on Monday afternoon while at her mother, Sandra’s, home in Southview Gardens, Sheerness.

Together they travelled to the Walk-in Centre at Sheppey Community Hospital to be told, according to Tracy, that she was suffering nothing worse than chronic wind and indigestion. She was discharged with medication.

Back at mum’s house, Tracy felt progressively worse and, at 4.30am on Tuesday , she gave birth to little Robert Hugh, named after his grandfathers, and weighing in at a healthy 6lb 12oz.

He was delivered by Sandra and Tracy’s sister Dawn Williams, an off-duty paramedic who lives nearby.

On-duty paramedics were quickly on the scene to take the surprised mother and son to Medway Maritime Hospital for a checkover before being allowed home later the same day.

Audio: Tracy and Colin Campbell tell kmfm how the drama unfolded

Colin and Tracy work together at David Wood Baking, in Dorset Road, Sheerness, where Colin, 39, was leading the night shift at the time.

He said: “I got the call from Tracy telling me she had just given birth. I said I didn’t believe her so she repeated it and I still didn’t believe her.

“It wasn’t until my mother-in- law came on the line that I realised this was for real. After that I just dropped everything and belted round to see Tracy and the baby right away.

“Tracy has made us all so proud. Robert’s arrival has been a terrific surprise for us, but now I’ve calmed down a little, I’m feeling excited about being a dad.

“We had talked about having a baby for a while, but it hadn’t happened for us so this is out of the blue.”

Speaking from her hospital bed, Tracy said: “I was working right up until Saturday morning and had had no pains at all.

"I had no idea I was pregnant and, when the pains started getting worse on Monday night, I just didn’t know what was going on.

“By then my mum and dad were rubbing my back and tummy to help ease the pain. At 4.25am I had to go to the loo and next thing I know the baby has arrived.

“Robert’s lovely and I can see he takes after both, Colin and me. All the family have rallied round getting everything we need, as have friends at work. They have all been so helpful.“We’re absolutely delighted.”

A spokesman for DMC Healthcare, which runs the Walk In Centre, said: "The patient was seen by the GP who took a full history with regards to her presenting complaint and examined her in accordance with her symptoms.

"He prescribed medication for the patient. We are very pleased that Ms Campbell and baby are well."