Beth Martin, a teenager from Blackpool, underwent extreme physical activity such as army and police riot training as part of her preparation to be part of the UK’s Border Force.
But while the 18-year-old went through rigorous training, she didn’t realise she was actually pregnant.
Staying the same size for most of her pregnancy, Beth, from St Anne’s, put tiredness down to her intensive training.
When Beth did a pregnancy test two months before she went into labour, the results came back negative.
Known as a cryptic pregnancy, the baby had grown behind Beth’s ribs, showing no physical bump – and has even failed to show up on two of the tests she did.
And when she finally went into labour, she put contraction pains down to a severe case of irritable bowel syndrome.
But 76 hours later, Beth had a little girl who she named Maizie.
‘Someone at work had said I looked pregnant and I remember thinking how rude she was,’ she said.
‘I was doing a course into uniformed public services and had my heart set on becoming part of Border Force. My education was sport based, about 70 hours a week of intense physical activity.
‘The week before I’d had Maizie, I was doing riot police force training, where I had horses chasing me – it seemed surreal.’
Yet despite Beth taking the pregnancy tests, she couldn’t help but notice she had gained a small amount of weight and became breathless easily.
After getting stabbing pains in her abdomen after training at college, Beth rang 111 for advice.
Medics realised she was in labour after she said she was spotting – bleeding from the vagina – and she was sent her straight to hospital.
Little Maizie Loraine Martin was born after 76 hours of labour, three hours of pushing and less than 24 hours preparation for Beth.
Beth added, ‘By the time I got to the hospital I was in so much pain.
‘A nurse told me straight away I looked pregnant – and then I discovered I’ve been in labour for 69 hours.
‘I had seven hours to prepare for the fact I was about to become a mum.
‘My two older brothers thought I was playing a prank. My dad was so happy, and my mum came round after, shaking her head – we were all in shock.
‘I’ve absolutely loved becoming a mum – Maizie is the best thing in my life.’
Since her surprise pregnancy, Beth has gone back to college to complete her course, after just three months off for maternity leave.
‘I’d never wanted to have kids but now I can’t imagine my life without Maizie,’ added the young mum.
‘I want to show people what else I can achieve – and I’m prepared for anything.’
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