Wigan couple are 'thrilled' as they care for baby son after his surprise arrival

Tasha Davies and her partner Martin Hern rushed to Wigan Infirmary’s A&E unit last Tuesday when she was suffering with stomach pains.

But it was a massive shock when staff said the pains were actually labour.

And just one hour later, their son Alexander Isaac Gohan Hern was born, weighing 9lb 70z.

Tasha, 28, said: “I think I’m probably still in a little bit of shock about it now. They said I was definitely in labour and at that point they weren’t sure if it was one or two. We just had to see what happened and deal with whatever was coming.”

Martin, 29, said: “It was completely gobsmacking. I was more in shock than anything, because it all happened so quickly and neither of us saw it coming. We didn’t plan on having children for another 10 years.”

The pair had picked up the keys to their new home in Standish on Friday and had no idea they would soon be a family of three.

Even with hindsight, there were no signs of pregnancy, such as the baby moving or morning sickness.

Tasha, who works as a paralegal, said: “I had put a bit of weight on but I put it down to lockdown. We had been socialising with friends and family and no-one said I looked like I might be pregnant.”

But last Monday she started to have stomach pains and when they got worse during the night, they decided to go to hospital.

It was only then that Tasha had a visible bump on her stomach, possibly because the baby had moved.

Alexander was born at 7.29am on Tuesday, September 1 and was completely healthy, despite his surprise arrival.

Tasha said: “We are thrilled that he is here now. It was a big shock but we are quite pleased. We have still not really adjusted to it but he’s lovely.

“The hospital was really good. They really took time to talk us through everything we would need to know and gave us extra lessons on bathing him and caring for him, all the things we would have done before.”

They are now settling into their new home and on a steep learning curve, having missed the nine months that new parents usually have to prepare.

Tasha said: “We are getting into a good routine between us. It helps that he’s quite a calm baby.”

Alexander has been introduced to his grandparents, with Tasha’s mum said to be “absolutely smitten”.

While their baby’s birth has been a big surprise, the couple are looking forward to their future as a family in their new home.

Tasha said: “I’m not going to have my spare room as an office anymore that’s for certain! We are going to take it in our stride and do what we can to give him the best start.”