Teen, 18, recalls moment she discovered she was pregnant HOURS before giving birth after going to the hospital for what she thought was a stomach bug – only to discover she was actually in LABOR
A teenage mother has recalled the terrifying moment she discovered she was pregnant just hours before giving birth.
Laren Dawn Nelson, 18, of Washington, gave birth to a beautiful baby boy named Silas after finding out she was pregnant when she went to the hospital for what she thought was a stomach flu.
The teen had a so-called cryptic pregnancy, in which a person does not know they are expecting because the symptoms are mild enough to pass as an illness.
Now Laren has spoken out about the moments leading up to her delivery and how her family helped her through the shock.
Laren Dawn Nelson, 18, of Washington, recalls the terrifying moment she discovered she was pregnant – just hours before giving birth (seen during pregnancy)
She gave birth to a beautiful baby boy named Silas after finding out she was pregnant when she went to the hospital for what she thought was a stomach flu.
The teen had a so-called cryptic pregnancy, in which a person does not know he or she is pregnant because the symptoms are mild enough to pass as an illness.
The 18-year-old continued high school graduation, prom and her birthday, all while not knowing she was pregnant.
Shortly after graduating high school, Laren spent the summer with friends until she became infected with COVID-19.
But even after recovering from the virus, she still felt like something was wrong.
But the teen tried to ignore her symptoms and went out with a friend instead.
While she was away, her friend realized that Laren looked sick and suggested she go to the hospital.
Laren explained: 'I went to the supermarket, my best friend met me and she said, you don't look good, and she took me to the hospital.
'At the time we thought a virus I had a year earlier came back and attacked my stomach. We thought it was, we expected the worst but hoped for the best.”
Once there, Laren said she was experiencing stomach pains every few minutes.
Then the nurse suggested she take a pregnancy test just to be sure.
Laren said, “Next thing I know, the nurse looks at me and says you're pregnant – and you're also in labor.
'I was in complete shock – I didn't know what to think – I started laughing and crying at the same time.'
She added: 'This was way beyond our expectations. I took the pregnancy test the nurse asked me to do and I left my girlfriend waiting in the waiting room.
Now Laren has spoken out about the moments leading up to her delivery and how her family helped her through the shock
The 18-year-old shockingly experienced high school graduation, prom and her birthday – all while not knowing she was expecting (pictured at her prom while pregnant)
While she was at the hospital, the nurse suggested she take a pregnancy test just to be sure. Her son is in the photo
'This nurse comes out, she has a shocked look on her face, she told my friend to get a wheelchair and told me to sit down.
'I sat down and thought, “Oh no, what's going on,” because I was having pain every few minutes, which I didn't know at the time were contractions.
'We went into the next room and when I walked in I saw my teacher's wife and my cousin who worked at the hospital. I thought, “Oh, this is weird, so awkward,” and then she said, “Ladies, I want you to sit down.”
'I sat down and my friend took my hand and I thought, “What's going on? Am I going to die? Is it something to be afraid of?”
“The next thing I know, she says, 'So you're pregnant and you're also in labor.'”
Laren said: 'Next thing I know, the nurse looks at me and says you're pregnant – and you're also in labor'
The nurse explained that Laren was experiencing a cryptic pregnancy
The nurse explained that Laren was experiencing a cryptic pregnancy.
According to AmericanPregnancy.orgIn a cryptic pregnancy, also called a stealth pregnancy, a woman does not know she is pregnant because the testing methods cannot detect the pregnancy or she does not notice that she is experiencing pregnancy symptoms.
Research estimates that one in 475 pregnancies may go unnoticed or unnoticed until the expectant mother is about twenty weeks pregnant.
One in 2,500 cryptic pregnancies is only recognized when the woman goes into labor.
After hearing the news, Laren was shocked and the only thing she could think of was to call her mother – who didn't even believe it could be true.
She said: 'My boyfriend was holding my hand and all I could think was shoot, I have to call my mum.
'My girlfriend calls my mother and she says, “Hey, so Laren is in labor, I took her to the hospital and she's pregnant.”
“My mother immediately starts to panic and says, 'Who's there?' and wondered if it was some kind of sick joke.”
However, it was certainly no joke and later that day Laren gave birth to her child.
After hearing the news, Laren (seen while pregnant) was shocked and all she could think to do was call her mother – who didn't even believe it could be true
The 18-year-old noted that while it was a shock, she relied on her friends and family for support
She added: 'The next thing I knew I was pushing and then I had a baby – it was crazy.
'I heard the cry and started crying, and then I looked at him and he looked perfect.
“His name is Silas, and he is the sweetest little baby in the world, he is perfectly healthy and living his best life.”
The 18-year-old noted that while it was a shock, she relied on her friends and family for support.
“My parents have been a huge help and my friends have been great. “I didn't think I would become a mother at 18,” she concluded.
“When I graduated, I thought this is the time to live my life and live a little – now I get to live my life a little differently than I planned.
“But I'm not complaining, he's perfect, he's the best baby ever and I'm lucky.”