Mother who had no idea she was pregnant gave birth in a tent on holiday with her family - after thinking her contractions were down to a 'dodgy takeaway'

A mother who had no idea she was pregnant thought her stomach cramps were down to a 'dodgy chicken takeaway' - until she gave birth to a baby girl. 

Zoe Doyle, from Maidenhead, Berkshire, was left stunned after giving birth to her newborn daughter Hayley in her tent while camping in Hayling Island, Hampshire.

The 38-year-old said she had 'no pregnancy symptoms', experienced regular periods and even flew to Turkey two months before the unexpected arrival.

Zoe said she had noticed some weight gain in the months before Hayley was born, but put it down to late-night snacking. 

The nursery work practitioner's life turned upside down when she went on a camping holiday with her two children and husband Stuart Doyle last month.

Zoe Doyle, from Maidenhead, Berkshire, was left stunned after giving birth to her newborn daughter Hayley in her tent while camping in Hayling Island, Hampshire

A few days into the trip, Zoe woke up at around 5am on August 1 with stomach cramps - which she blamed on a 'dodgy chicken takeaway'.

However, as her tummy pains worsened, Zoe believed she may be having a miscarriage and woke her husband up for help.

The mother-of-three said she then began feeling an overwhelming need to push when Stuart spotted a head sticking out of her.

He then delivered the couple's surprise baby in the living room area of the tent before rushing his wife to the hospital.

Zoe said: 'I woke up and thought that chicken we had the night before has really upset my stomach. 

'I couldn't get to the main toilets and we have a little portaloo toilet in the tent and I just stayed there.

'I thought it was just tummy pains but it kept getting worse and worse. I knew something wasn't right. There was so much blood, I thought I was having a miscarriage.

'Little did I know I was doing all the contractions on my own on the portaloo. I just stood up and my husband asked if I was okay and I said 'I need to push' then I leaned on all fours and my husband saw a head.

'He had to help deliver her in the tent and cut her umbilical cord in the tent and wrap her up with what we had. I did it all on my own. I felt like Mother Mary giving birth outdoors. It was just so bizarre.

Stuart and Zoe Doyle are snapped together on holiday when Zoe was unknowingly seven months pregnant 

Poppy and Jake are pictured with their new baby sister Hayley - who was delivered on their family camping holiday

Stuart Doyle is snapped holding his baby daughter after he delivered her in a tent 

The mother-of-three said she then began feeling an overwhelming need to push when Stuart spotted a head sticking out of her

Stuart and Zoe are pictured on holiday when she was unknowingly seven months pregnant 

As Zoe's tummy pains worsened, Zoe believed she may be having a miscarriage and woke her husband up for help and they saw Hayley's head sticking out

Zoe gave birth to healthy Hayley Doyle, weighing 8lbs 14oz, and she was named after her place of birth on Hayling Island

'She literally came out and I remember thinking 'what has just happened'. I was thinking how did I not know? Everything I shouldn't have done, I did.'

Zoe gave birth to healthy Hayley Doyle, weighing 8lbs 14oz, and she was named after her place of birth on Hayling Island.

Zoe claims she experienced no classic symptoms during her nine-month pregnancy and even went abroad in her final trimester.

Zoe said: 'I had absolutely no symptoms. I thought I'd just put on a bit of weight. My period was light but I just put it down to stress and I still had them every month.

'I had no cravings or anything. I'd gained a bit of weight but I just put it down to having a few more snacks in the evening. I didn't have a noticeable bump and no one mentioned anything.

'There was no morning sickness, there was no nausea, there was nothing. It really was a hidden pregnancy.

Zoe is snapped holding her newborn Hayley who surprised the family on August 1 

Zoe said because her husband is diabetic, medics  said their chances of having another baby was 'quite slim'

Zoe flew to Turkey for a holiday in her third trimester when she did not know she was pregnant 

Zoe (pictured with daughter Poppy and son Jake) said their 'massive surprise' has fit perfectly into their growing family

Zoe and Stuart are pictured with their son Jake aged one in the left and right picture 

Zoe (pictured with husband Stuart) thought that a 'dodgy chicken takeaway' was the reason why she was experiencing pain

'I actually went on holiday to Turkey in June. I know now I shouldn't have flown. I feel awful, I could've had her abroad. I was seven months pregnant without knowing.'

Zoe said their 'massive surprise' has fit perfectly into their growing family.

Zoe said: 'I said I'd always have another one but our youngest isn't quite two yet we said we would see. Then we said nope we're finished.

'Because my husband is diabetic as well they said our chances of having another one were quite slim. So when she came, I thought how on earth is she here? She fought against all the odds to be here.

'I was on and off the pill but because we were told our odds of getting pregnant were unlikely, we didn't think much of it. She was such a massive surprise.

'She'll have the most amazing story to tell when she's older. I never used to believe cryptic pregnancy stories when I read about them until it happened to me.

'She just fits in perfectly like it was all meant to happen. They think I carried her high up and that's why I didn't feel her move.'