Shocked student gives birth to surprise baby while sat on the toilet

‘I didn’t realise what had happened until I heard him cry’
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

A university student got the shock of her life when she went to the toilet but ended up having a baby.

Jess Davis - who turned 20 the day after her shock delivery - had no idea that she was pregnant and had assumed her abdominal pains were due to her period.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The history and politics student from Lawrence Weston had no obvious pregnancy symptoms and didn’t have a baby bump.

Jess is now getting used to motherhood after welcoming son, Freddie Oliver Davis, into the world on June 11 2022 at 4:45pm weighing 5lbs 5oz.

The new mother, who is currently in her second year at the University of Southampton, said: “’I sometimes felt nauseas, but I had started taking a new prescription so I just put it down to my new medication.

Jess Davis and her surprise baby Freddie with Liv King at Princess Anne Hospital, SouthamptonJess Davis and her surprise baby Freddie with Liv King at Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton
Jess Davis and her surprise baby Freddie with Liv King at Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton

“When he was born it was the biggest shock of my life - I thought I was dreaming at first.

‘’I didn’t realise what had happened until I heard him cry.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It took a little while to get over the initial shock and adjust and bond with him, but now I’m over the moon.

‘’He is the most chilled baby ever. He’s known as the quiet baby on the ward.’’

When Jess woke up in severe pain in June 2022 she assumed it was the start of her period and walked to her local Asda to buy a hot water bottle.

She said: “I could barely walk and couldn’t even lie down on my bed when I got home.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I was supposed to be having a house party that night for my birthday the next day, so I had a shower and a bath to try and make myself feel better, but the pain just got worse and worse.”

Jess claims she suddenly felt an overwhelming need to go to the toilet, so sat down and started to push.

Jess Davis, 12 days before giving birth. Jess Davis, 12 days before giving birth.
Jess Davis, 12 days before giving birth.

“At no point did I think I was giving birth - I just knew I needed to push,’’ she explained.

‘’At one point I felt tearing, but I didn’t know what it was.

‘’I just knew I needed to get it out.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘’Hearing him cry and realising what had actually happened was just so surreal.’’

Unsure what to do, Jess, who was home alone, rang best friend Liv King, 20- the inspiration behind Freddie’s middle name ‘Oliver’.

Despite initially thinking that Jess was making an elaborate excuse to get out of the upcoming night out, Liv quickly advised her to call an ambulance after Jess sent a photo of her new-born son to prove it wasn’t a prank.

Jess was taken to Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton, where baby Freddie was rushed away to be put in an incubator.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The doctors predict that he arrived at 35 weeks but despite his dramatic entrance to the world, both Freddie and Jess are recovering well.

Jess Davis's baby Freddie.Jess Davis's baby Freddie.
Jess Davis's baby Freddie.

The news of Freddie’s arrival was broken to Jess’s mum by Liv, who phoned her and asked, “Are you sitting down?”

Luckily, Jess’s mum was supportive and is excited to become a grandmother.

“My mum is the best person in the world, she’s been so supportive and she’s over the moon to be a grandma!” Jess said.

“Being a mum is a huge life change, but it feels natural.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The love I have for Freddie is hard to explain, but it’s incredible.

“I just think about him all the time.

“I’m transferring to a local uni to continue my studies; I’ll be closer to home which makes childcare easier.

“I’m looking forward to watching him grow up and be there for him every step of the way.”

Related topics:

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.