I was in a state of shock but also quite calm

Amanda Morgan

Amanda Morgan, from Neath, gave birth to her 5lb 6oz (2.43kg) daughter Caitlin after leaving the surgery.

She was told she was having the "classic signs of early menopause", but her condition had been misdiagnosed.

The Royal College of Midwives said cases like hers were very rare, but fast labours were often uncomplicated.

The legal secretary, who already had two sons aged 13 and 10 from a previous relationship, described how she gave birth to Caitlin at home 11 months ago.

It was a complete shock to me," she said. "I'd had no morning sickness or tiredness and had absolutely no bump at all.

"I'm 40 and had decided not to have any more children. I thought my baby-making days were long gone.

"I had only put on about a pound in weight but just thought I'd been snacking too much in the run-up to Christmas."

She gave birth within minutes of breaking the news to her partner Chris Grinter, 42, of the menopause diagnosis after she had seen her doctor.

'Overjoyed'

"My mum died from cancer so I worried there might be something seriously wrong.

"But I was very reassured when my doctor said I was experiencing the classic signs of the menopause. She then booked blood tests at hospital to check my hormone levels."

She returned home after the appointment and complained of feeling "exhausted". She had gone to the bathroom when she felt a "crippling pain".

Amanda Morgan, Chris Grinter and their expanded family

"There was no time to even shout out to Chris - it was that quick.

"A strange calm took over and with one push Caitlin was out. She barely cried, just wriggled.

"I grabbed a towel and wrapped her in it. I was in a state of shock but also quite calm."

She said her partner's "face went white" when he saw the baby. "He was just gobsmacked - I don't think he could take it all in and I can't blame him."

Mr Grinter dialled 999 and paramedics arrived to cut the cord as she lay in the bathroom.

They were taken to Singleton Hospital, Swansea, and she was told she was six months into her pregnancy when Caitlin was born. The baby was in a ventilator and allowed home after five weeks.

The family are ready to celebrate her first birthday on 19 February.

"Caitlin is Chris's first baby so he's particularly thrilled. We had discussed having a baby - but decided against it because of my age.

"Even now I look back on photos just a few weeks before I had her and cannot believe I was pregnant.

"But Caitlin is the most adorable baby and we are all overjoyed to have her. She is also the easiest baby - a bit like my pregnancy."

Sue Jacobs of the Royal College of Midwives said: "This is only the third time I've come across one like this in my 25 years as a midwife.

"But women do occasionally experience what seem like periods in pregnancy.

"In such cases it's because the bleeding is caused by the placenta and just happens to coincide with period dates.