SURPRISE babies occur in only one in 20,000 pregnancies but Wiltshire has seen several in recent years.

In April last year Lisa Watson went to hospital with severe stomach pains and went home with baby Lily, weighing in at 7lbs 2oz.

Lisa, from Casson Road, Stratton, had no idea she was pregnant and initially thought her pains were constipation. When they became serious she was rushed to hospital.

In August 2001 Helen Thompson from Salisbury, woke with stomach pains one night and it was only when her doctor examined her that she realised she was about to give birth to baby Jessica.

And even student midwife Vicky Sturgess was taken by surprise when she was told her severe period pains were in fact labour. Vicky, from Salisbury later gave birth to Ellie at the Great Western Hospital in January 2002.

Experts say women can have what they think are normal periods during pregnancy, while strong abdominal muscles can mean a swollen tummy goes unnoticed.