A woman from Britain who was convinced that she had appendicitis never believed it for a second when she gave birth to a healthy baby boy inside an ambulance
TOI World Desk | TOI Global Desk | Oct 08, 2025, 22:10 IST
A British woman who was sure she had appendicitis did not believe it for a moment when she was delivered of a healthy baby boy in an ambulance.
Highlight of the story: In a rare medical surprise, Megan Isherwood of Blackburn, England, thought she was suffering from appendicitis when she woke up with severe abdominal pain. However, during emergency treatment, doctors discovered she was pregnant — moments before she gave birth to a baby boy in an ambulance. The incident has since captured widespread attention for its extraordinary and heartwarming outcome.
TL;DR
A 26-year-old British woman, Megan Isherwood, under-estimated her condition criminally, believing that she had appendicitis, but ultimately had a premature baby boy delivered in the back of an ambulance. Mother and baby were both diagnosed with sepsis immediately after birth, but recovered eventually.
Medical Scare Turns Into a Surprise Birth
It was just an ordinary day for a typical British woman until a huge shift happened in her morning when she mistook appendicitis for labour pains and ultimately got a child.
On the 9th of September, Megan Isherwood who was 26 years old, experienced an unbearable pain in her right wasteland and started to vomit blood. Her partner, Michael Lindsay, a bar manager, was highly terrified of her death that he dialed the ambulance. The paramedics came to the place and after hearing about the symptoms of the girl, they thought she had appendicitis.
“I had no bump, no symptoms at all — he just came out of nowhere,” Isherwood told Southwest News Service (SWNS).
Hospital Chaos and a Shocking Discovery
At the hospital, Isherwood’s condition worsened when she began bleeding heavily. “Fifteen doctors were crowded around me trying to find out what was wrong,” she recalled.
Doctors initially ordered a CT scan and ultrasound to confirm the appendicitis diagnosis. To their astonishment, the imaging revealed not an inflamed appendix but a baby — with a head and foot clearly visible.
With no time to spare, Isherwood was transferred under blue lights to Burnley Hospital, which had specialized maternity care. But she entered active labor during the ambulance trip and delivered before arrival.
“Congratulations, It’s a Boy” — and Then Panic
“I just needed to push,” Isherwood said. “The next thing you know, they told me ‘congratulations, it’s a boy.’ I was so shocked and flustered."
Panic was not long in coming when the medics found out that the baby had died and turned blue. Fortunately, the doctors were able to revive the small heart and Isherwood later named him Jaxson.
Instantly after the discovery, the mother and her baby were sent to the NICU where they turned out to be sepsis-positive, a lethal infection that can rapidly drain their lives. Both were treated intensively and came out very healthy.
A Miracle Arrival
On September 25, a little more than two weeks after the dramatic delivery, Isherwood and baby Jaxson were sent home from the hospital.
“I struggled to get my head around what had happened,” Isherwood admitted. “I was thinking to myself, where have you come from?”
Despite the shock, she said she quickly embraced motherhood. “He is doing absolutely amazing. He’s a miracle.”
Doctors state that instances like Isherwood’s — where women pass through pregnancy imperceivable and unobserved — are infrequent but still possible. Such "cryptic pregnancies" can happen when hormonal, bodily, or medical problems hide the usual indications of pregnancy.
FAQs
A 26-year-old British woman, Megan Isherwood, under-estimated her condition criminally, believing that she had appendicitis, but ultimately had a premature baby boy delivered in the back of an ambulance. Mother and baby were both diagnosed with sepsis immediately after birth, but recovered eventually.
Medical Scare Turns Into a Surprise Birth
It was just an ordinary day for a typical British woman until a huge shift happened in her morning when she mistook appendicitis for labour pains and ultimately got a child.
On the 9th of September, Megan Isherwood who was 26 years old, experienced an unbearable pain in her right wasteland and started to vomit blood. Her partner, Michael Lindsay, a bar manager, was highly terrified of her death that he dialed the ambulance. The paramedics came to the place and after hearing about the symptoms of the girl, they thought she had appendicitis.
“I had no bump, no symptoms at all — he just came out of nowhere,” Isherwood told Southwest News Service (SWNS).
Hospital Chaos and a Shocking Discovery
At the hospital, Isherwood’s condition worsened when she began bleeding heavily. “Fifteen doctors were crowded around me trying to find out what was wrong,” she recalled.
Doctors initially ordered a CT scan and ultrasound to confirm the appendicitis diagnosis. To their astonishment, the imaging revealed not an inflamed appendix but a baby — with a head and foot clearly visible.
With no time to spare, Isherwood was transferred under blue lights to Burnley Hospital, which had specialized maternity care. But she entered active labor during the ambulance trip and delivered before arrival.
“Congratulations, It’s a Boy” — and Then Panic
“I just needed to push,” Isherwood said. “The next thing you know, they told me ‘congratulations, it’s a boy.’ I was so shocked and flustered."
Panic was not long in coming when the medics found out that the baby had died and turned blue. Fortunately, the doctors were able to revive the small heart and Isherwood later named him Jaxson.
Instantly after the discovery, the mother and her baby were sent to the NICU where they turned out to be sepsis-positive, a lethal infection that can rapidly drain their lives. Both were treated intensively and came out very healthy.
A Miracle Arrival
On September 25, a little more than two weeks after the dramatic delivery, Isherwood and baby Jaxson were sent home from the hospital.
“I struggled to get my head around what had happened,” Isherwood admitted. “I was thinking to myself, where have you come from?”
Despite the shock, she said she quickly embraced motherhood. “He is doing absolutely amazing. He’s a miracle.”
Doctors state that instances like Isherwood’s — where women pass through pregnancy imperceivable and unobserved — are infrequent but still possible. Such "cryptic pregnancies" can happen when hormonal, bodily, or medical problems hide the usual indications of pregnancy.
FAQs
- What made the doctors suppose appendicitis at first?The experienced pain, vomiting, and increased heart rate on Isherwood’s part — all are typical symptoms of appendicitis.
- What was Megan Isherwood's response to the unexpected birth?She reported feeling "speechless" and in shock but has now accepted motherhood with love and thankfulness.
- Which hospital treated the case?Isherwood was initially taken to her Blackburn local hospital before being moved to Burnley Hospital, where there were maternity facilities.