'Kidney stones' turn out to be surprise full-term baby

Staff writers

Oct 29 2016 at 1:34 PM

Stephanie Jaegers with surprise son Shaun. Photo: WGCL

Doctors told Stephanie Jaegers she had gone into early menopause and would not be able to have any more children.

So when the US woman ended up in hospital emergency with suspected kidney stones, she was more than a little shocked to learn that not only was she pregnant, but she was about to give birth.

Doctors asked Stephanie whether there was a possibility she could be pregnant when she arrived at Piedmont Henry Hospital in Stockbridge, Georgia, on October 19 suffering from pain under her ribs. She assured them that she was not and, in fact, she was menstruating at the time.

However an ultrasound revealed she was not only pregnant, but was actually in labour.

"Before this happened I had read the different stories and I was one of those people who thought, 'how could you not know?'" Stephanie, who has three older children, told Babble.

"More than anything this has taught me understanding. I am less quick to judge others."

The few hours between the discovery of the pregnancy and the delivery of baby Shaun was a stressful time for Stephanie and her husband Michael, with the couple remembering the difficult delivery of their third child almost three years earlier.

This baby was found to be in a breech position behind Stephanie's ribcage, which possibly explained why there was no baby bump. An examination revealed Stephanie was already fully dilated and doctors began to prepare for a caesarean delivery but before they were ready, the baby's buttocks started showing and he had to be delivered naturally.

"Shaun Jude Jaegers was born at 3:50AM this morning weighing 7 lbs. 3 oz," Michael wrote in a Facebook post which came as a surprise to friends and family.

"We are both still in complete shock over the events of the last few hours and appreciate the prayers and well wishes Now to fit 9 months of pre-planning into 2 days!"

Speaking to CNN, Michael said Stephanie had received some negative comments about the fact she did not know she was pregnant.

"We were asking the same question. We've been called stupid and dumb and ignorant, but until it happens to you, you can't really grasp it," he said. "She knows the symptoms; she knows the signs. There were zero. It was a miracle."

The couple were initially worried about the lack of Stephanie's lack of pre-natal care. In addition Stephanie they were concerned that Stephanie had recently been on a rollercoaster and had an x-ray for an injured ankle.

But there appears to be no need for concern. Baby Shaun is doing well and settling into the family alongside his almost three-year-old sister and two older brothers.

Meanwhile, Stephanie is simply accepting the fact that "everything happens for a reason".

"Even if I don't understand it," she told Babble.

"Things are going to happen the way they are meant to. I am so grateful we have Shaun because I feel as though he is absolutely meant to be. He is a miracle."

Friends of the family have set up a GoFundMe page to help with the costs of caring for the unexpected family member.