> At a Glance
> – Melanie Smith, 28, gave birth on Christmas Day after doctors told her she was nine months pregnant
> – She had no pregnancy symptoms and was previously told she couldn’t have children
> – Baby Vincent weighed 8 lbs and was delivered at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital
> – Why it matters: Cryptic pregnancies-about 1 in 2,500 go unnoticed until delivery-can upend families with no preparation time
An Illinois woman experienced the ultimate holiday surprise when stomach pain sent her to the hospital on Christmas, only to discover she was in labor with a full-term baby.
A Christmas Surprise at the Hospital
Melanie Smith of Zion, Illinois, arrived at Waukegan hospital with what she thought was severe stomach pain. Instead, doctors informed the 28-year-old she was nine months pregnant and about to give birth.
> Melanie Smith told NBC Chicago:
> “I thought I was dreaming. A really intense dream, and any minute I’ll wake up.”
She was immediately transferred to Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital where baby Vincent was born, weighing a healthy 8 lbs.
No Signs of Pregnancy
Smith explained she never suspected pregnancy because her periods were irregular and she had no typical symptoms.
- No morning sickness
- No noticeable weight gain or baby bump
- Only minor back pain
| Symptom | Typical Pregnancy | Melanie’s Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Morning sickness | Common | None |
| Baby bump | Visible late-term | None |
| Missed period | Key indicator | Already irregular |
She had previously been told she couldn’t have children, making the diagnosis even harder to believe.
Cryptic Pregnancy Explained
Doctors diagnosed Smith with a cryptic pregnancy-a rare condition where women don’t realize they’re pregnant. According to Mayo Clinic data cited by NBC:
- About 1 in 475 pregnancies go unnoticed until 20 weeks
- About 1 in 2,500 go unnoticed until delivery
Adjusting to Sudden Parenthood
The unexpected arrival left the couple unprepared financially. They briefly considered adoption before deciding to keep Vincent.
> Melanie Smith recalled:
> “I saw my husband hold Vincent for the first time, and realized, ‘Oh, actually this is doing things for me. I can’t give up my kid anymore.'”
Her husband called Vincent a “Christmas miracle,” while Smith-who dislikes surprises-called it “the best surprise.”
Key Takeaways
- Cryptic pregnancies can occur with no visible symptoms
- Melanie Smith delivered a healthy 8 lb baby boy named Vincent
- The couple initially considered adoption but chose to parent
- Vincent’s birth on Christmas was called a “miracle” by his parents
The Smith family now celebrates two holidays: Christmas and the unexpected birthday of their surprise son, Vincent.
