This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive.

Cryptic Pregnancy: Woman Thinks She Has Kidney Stones, Gives Birth Instead

Stephanie Jaegers rushed to the hospital after experiencing severe abdominal pain.

After experiencing severe abdominal pain, Stephanie Jaegers rushed to the hospital thinking she had kidney stones. But to her surprise, she gave birth instead.

“The doctors were discussing kidney stones and pain and said order a CT scan,” the Georgia mom told Inside Edition. “But then he examined my stomach when I was having ‘cramps’ and changed his mind and did an ultra sound instead.”

Doctors at Piedmont Henry Hospital told Jaegers that she was 38 weeks pregnant and in labour.

“There are no words to describe the range of feelings associated with being told that you're having a baby -- in 30 minutes,” Jaegers’ husband, Michael, told Detroit Free Press.

The couple then welcomed a healthy baby boy, who they named Shaun Jude Jaegers. The infant is the couple’s fourth child. They also have two teen sons, age 16 and 11, and a daughter, who will soon be three.

Michael announced Shaun’s birth on Facebook, saying, “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!”

Watch the video above to hear more.

Since Shaun was born, many people have asked the couple how they did not know Jaegers was pregnant. To answer this question, the new dad wrote a lengthy post on Facebook.

“Steph was diagnosed with pre-menopause awhile back which would justify the hormone imbalance also associated with a pregnancy,” he explained. “Shaun was also breech throughout the entire pregnancy which prevented him from moving around to indicate to Steph that he was in there and his position made it to where Steph didn't ‘show.’ The most bizarre part is she continued to have a menstrual cycle, which the hospital tells us is rare, but can happen.

“Lastly, Steph broke her ankle a couple of weeks ago and was laid up for the last couple of weeks limiting her movements. All of this together ruled out in our minds even the remote possibility of a pregnancy.”

It’s rare for women to have cryptic pregnancies, meaning they don’t realize they’re expecting. However, there are two theories as to why this happens: they are either in denial, or their symptoms are not obvious.

Click here to read more about cryptic pregnancies.

Also on HuffPost

Honest Cards For New Parents

Close
This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.