Woman Goes to Hospital on Christmas and Delivers Full-Term Baby Boy

A 28-year-old woman who did not know she was pregnant went to a hospital on Christmas and was found to be in active labor; she delivered a healthy baby boy weighing 8 pounds, 1 ounce within three hours of arrival.

Melanie Smith was told as a teenager she might not be able to carry a child and later had irregular menstrual cycles. Late on Christmas Eve she felt worsening abdominal pain and, with her husband, went to Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan, Illinois in the early hours of Dec. 25. Hospital staff determined she was in active labor even though she had received no prenatal care and had not realized she was pregnant. Less than three hours after arrival she gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Key facts: - Melanie Smith, 28, had been told at 18 she might not carry a child and had a history of irregular periods. - She experienced pain late on Dec. 24 and went to Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan, Illinois with her husband in the early hours of Dec. 25. - Hospital staff found she was in active labor despite having had no prenatal care and not knowing about the pregnancy. - She delivered a healthy baby boy weighing 8 pounds, 1 ounce less than three hours after arriving; the hospital's maternity ward had recently closed so she was not transferred. - The couple named the baby Vincent and a relative organized a GoFundMe to help cover unexpected costs. Summary: The unexpected birth surprised the couple and their relatives and changed their immediate plans. They decided to keep the newborn and have named him Vincent; a GoFundMe was set up to assist with expenses. Undetermined at this time.