A young couple were shocked after the arrival of their baby son – despite being told to expect a GIRL.
Kacey Cropper, 17, and her partner Luke Dunsby, 21, even prepared for the birth by stocking up on pink clothes, dummies, blankets, teddies and a rocking chair.
They were first told of their baby’s gender at Kacey’s 20-week scan and were overjoyed at the news they would be welcoming baby Ella in May.
Kacey then had a further two scans and they even decorated the nursery at their Worcester home pink.
But after going three days overdue Kacey went into Worcestershire Royal Hospital and after two-and-a-half days in labour had an emergency caesarean section on May 27.
She was left stunned when instead of a little girl, doctors handed her an 8lb 15oz bouncing baby boy.
Kacey’s mum Julie Strickland, 50, said: “After two-and-a-half days of labour and complications Kacey was given an emergency C-section, three days after her due date.
“This was her biggest fear about the birth but she found strength from somewhere to accept this is the safest way for both her and baby.
“As her mum and with Covid-19 restrictions in place, I had to leave her at the main door with her never having been in hospital before.
“We sat for six hours in the hospital carpark until her partner Luke was allowed to be with her before I then spent more hours pacing up and down waiting for updates.
“Finally at 11.41am on May 27 the baby pops into the world. However, baby Ella turned out to be a little fella.”
Kacey and Luke were so stunned they failed to come up with an alternative boy’s name so called him “Chunk” until they finally settled on Noah.
Proud mum Kacey, who lives with Luke and her mum, said: “The gender scan had been wrong. The poor little chap spent two days in pink clothes.
“I couldn’t believe it when I was told it was a boy and the doctors handed me my son. I was so overcome with emotion but was so happy he was healthy.
“I was anxious no knowing what to expect but I stayed focused on the end result. Now Noah is here we couldn’t be happier.”
Julie, who has three other children and works as a wholesale manager, added: “When Luke came out and told me it was a boy my mouth hit the floor.
“Within hours, friends and family had rallied around and collected lots of boy clothes.
“Everything from the changing mat to bottles were pink.”
Despite the family’s joy at the new arrival, Julie says the shock of having a grandson instead of the expected granddaughter, was difficult to accept at first.
She said: “Even though Chunk as he was known for two weeks as no name had been chosen, is absolutely gorgeous and perfect, it also felt like a bereavement for baby Ella.
“I have never felt such bittersweet emotions of loss and joy at the same time before.
“Emptying her clothes out of the drawer and packing them away before they came
home was like we had lost her. It was a very strange feeling.
“Even the midwives were saying how in many years that’s the first wrong gender birth they’d experienced.”
