The paramedic giving nappies to new mums with surprise deliveries

When paramedic Sarah Jones was called to a patient experiencing abdominal pain, neither of them knew she would be delivering a baby shortly afterwards.

The woman was unaware she was pregnant until staff at an NHS walk-in centre in Leeds did a test - and called for an ambulance.

After realising the new mum had none of the basics to care for her baby, Sarah made an emergency kit of nappies, wipes and babygrows - and has now supplied packs to four West Yorkshire hospitals for other surprise births.

Sarah, 47, from Ossett, said a pack was given out within hours of being delivered to St James's University Hospital in Leeds, to a girl who had concealed her pregnancy due to personal circumstances.

Maternity wards at Leeds General Infirmary, Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield and Bradford Royal Infirmary are also stocked up, with Barnsley next to get the kits.

Sarah, who works for Yorkshire Ambulance Service, said cryptic pregnancies - where the expectant mum is unaware until after 20 weeks or even later - are more common that people realise.

"In nearly 14 years I've taken three who have not known they were pregnant," she said.

"I know there have been a couple recently who have either concealed it because they are young or the situation they are in [means] they can't tell people they are pregnant. Or they just genuinely do not know."

The packs are intended to get mums through the first 24 hours after birth and contain seven nappies, a pack of wipes, two babygrows, two vests, a hat, a blanket and maternity pads.

After her husband David, 58, who also works for the ambulance service, posted on his Facebook page about the idea to make the packs, the couple were inundated with donations.

"It went mental, people thought it was a brilliant idea," said Sarah.

"They were delivering five packs of nappies, a big box of wipes. I ended up with over 1,000 nappies.

"We've got a four-seater sofa covered with a massive stack. There are blankets in there too. People kept doing Amazon and I'd get 20 blankets turn up at my house."

Sarah has personally delivered packs to hospitals so she can explain what they should be used for and give them her number in case they run out.

"I didn't want to deliver 20 packs to each hospital and they get put in the back room and forgotten about," she said.

"[I've explained] they are just for unexpected pregnancies and each have been happy to accept five or six.

"The midwives were blown away by it.

"At St James's, I delivered them on the Wednesday. By Wednesday teatime, a pack had already been used. A girl came in and due to circumstances, she couldn't say she was pregnant.

"I've got 60 waiting to go at home, including some packs especially for premature babies."

It is estimated that one in 400 to 500 pregnancies is not known about until 20 weeks, with one in 2,500 discovered when the mother is full term.

Laura Walton, deputy head of midwifery at Leeds University Hospital, said the packs showed the "overwhelming generosity and kindness that is out there".

"It makes a massive difference", she said.

Walton said sometimes pregnancies are "completely and utterly unknown", for instance if a woman's periods continue and a bump is not noticeable.

"It doesn't happen often, maybe half a dozen times a year, but when it does it has a massive impact on that woman and surrounding family."

"So any support we get is greatly appreciated", Walton added.

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