Ask any parent and they'll tell you that becoming responsible for the a tiny new human is pretty terrifying stuff. Thankfully, most mums and dads have around nine months to get used to the idea.
However, spare a thought for Carlo Collazo, from Delaware in the US, who went into labour and gave birth without even knowing she was pregnant.
The 37-year-old said she was told by doctors she was unlikely to ever conceive due to having a condition called polycystic ovarian syndrome, which causes irregular periods and can make it more difficult to get pregnant.
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Speaking to Fox about the 'miracle' birth, Collazo said: "I'd been trying for years, nothing came out of it, so I was like, 'I am 37 now, it is what it is'."
As such, Collazo put her swollen ankles down to being on her feet all day at work. She didn't gain any weight throughout her pregnancy and she even took three tests that all came back negative.
So, you can probably imagine her surprise when, after experiencing excruciating stomach pains, she gave birth to a little girl weighing a little over two pounds.
Collazo gave birth on Sunday 25 August with her sister-in-law Alexandra Santos stepping up to act as midwife.
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Santos told the news outlet: "It happened so fast. Everything just came out so now she has a placenta in her hand, and I have a baby in my hand. She's freaking out. I'm telling her that we have a baby. We have to save her."
Quick-thinking Santos was talked through the delivery over the phone by paramedics, who told her to tie off the baby's umbilical cord with a shoelace.
Santos continued: "I tied it on the umbilical cord as tight as I could. She was just so precious. She was looking at me and I was looking in her eyes."
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Photos taken just after the birth show Collazo looking shocked and overwhelmed as she is handed her new daughter.
Following the unconventional delivery, mum and baby Amoura Rose were taken to hospital where they were checked over.
Little Amoura is said to be flourishing in hospital and is due to head home soon.
Featured Image Credit: Alexandra Santos